Difficult Past Paper Questions

Question 1

What is a theory (2 marks)

Answer 1

• a framework/explanation for describing a phenomenon/behaviour
• may be based on observations about the world or on empirical data derived from hypothesis testing

Question 2

Why is it important for scientific reports to include a referencing section (1 mark)

Answer 2

• enables readers to track down sources used
• give credit to other researchers and acknowledge their ideas
• avoid plagiarism

Question 3

In which section of a scientific report would you expect to find reference to the results/findings of an investigation (1 mark)

Answer 3

• the abstract, the discussion an the results sections

Question 4

Explain the economic implications of research into the role of the father in attachment (4 marks)

Answer 4

• increasingly fathers remain at home and therefore contribute less to the economy, consequently more mothers may return to work and contribute to the economt
• changing laws on paternity leave, government funded so affects the economy; impact upon employers
• gender pay gap may be reduced if parental roles are regarded as more equal
• early attachment research, e.g. Bowlby suggests fathers should provide an economic rather than emotional function