Sometimes though, the mark schemes are less than clear about how to reach that top band (the As and A*s). Here are some generic tips I've found in the mark schemes that are important in getting as close to full marks as you can:
January 2013
- Relevant research should be applied to part a)
- Must address “how” if the question asks for this
- “Discussion” may involve a comparison and following/challenging a viewpoint
- Detail is beneficial in part a)
- Usefulness, application, ecological validity, reductionism, reliability and ethics are all good evaluation points for interviewing witnesses
- A good way to “assess strengths and weaknesses” is to discuss whether or not an apparent “weakness” may actually be desirable or necessary in order to fulfil a function
June 2012
- Responses should be clear, precise and explicit
- To what extent implies a degree of judgement is necessary
- Responses should directly answer the question rather than simply describing research when this is not asked for. Research can be used to illustrate responses but this should be linked to the question.
- Usefulness can be examined in terms of validity, reliability, ethnocentrism, etc.
- Stronger answers with regards to treatments will be contextualised
- Comparison invites similarities as well as differences
- Reliability can be affected by mood, interviewee, social desirability bias, lying and misjudgement
When a question asks "how" (e.g. How can probation serve as an alternative to imprisonment?), what sort of things should we be looking to include? Do you simply describe the treatment and how it differs from imprisonment?
ReplyDeleteThank you... I have found your blog so helpful :)
Basically you just need to explicitly link your description of probation and study to the question. I would do this by outlining probation in three or four sentences (including the different types of community sentence), then describing research to illustrate how it's used, and then finish up with something like:
Delete"Thus, probation can serve as an alternative to imprisonment in that it can both offer the offender the chance to rehabilitate their behaviour, but may also serve as a punishment for an offence."
You're very welcome!
Vicky, may I say this blog of yours has helped me a lot. I would not usually comment, but in this case a comment was needed.
ReplyDeleteThank you