Discuss why two particular research methods are used to investigate behaviour at the sociocultural level of analysis.

Refer to the paper 1 section B assessment criteria when awarding marks.

The command term “discuss” requires candidates to offer a considered and balanced review of why two particular research methods are used at the sociocultural level of analysis.

Research methods may include, but are not limited to, two of the following:

• case studies
• correlational studies
• experiments (laboratory, field or natural/quasi)
• interviews
• observations
• surveys/questionnaires

Candidates may address the different ways in which a research method is done – for example, a covert or naturalistic observation – but the focus should be on the nature of the research method itself.

Discussion about why the methods are used might refer to the appropriateness of the methods for the aim, issues of validity and reliability, sample choice and size, ease and cost of the procedure and the generalizability of findings. Candidates may address the strengths of the methods as well as how they reflect the principles of the sociocultural level of analysis, that is, candidates could make clear how the selected research methods underpin one or more principles of the level of analysis.

Examples of research studies could include, but are not limited to:

• Festinger’s (1956) covert observation studying cult behaviour
• Bandura’s (1961, 1963, 1965) laboratory experiments investigating social learning theory
• Hofstede’s (1973) use of questionnaires to study cultural differences in the workplace
• Sherif’s (1954) “Robber’s Cave” field experiment investigating the realistic conflict theory.

If a candidate discusses more than two research methods, credit should be given only to the first two discussions. Candidates may address other research methods and be awarded marks for these as long as they are clearly used to discuss one or both of the two main research methods in the response.

If a candidate discusses only one research method, the response should be awarded up to a maximum of [5] for criterion A, knowledge and comprehension, up to a maximum of [4] for criterion B, critical thinking and up to a maximum of [2] for criterion C, organization.

If a candidate discusses two types of experiments (e.g. field and laboratory), interviews (e.g. semi-structured and focus groups) or observations (e.g. covert and participant), this is considered a single research method.