Date | November 2019 | Marks available | 22 | Reference code | 19N.Paper 2.BP.TZ0.3 |
Level | SL and HL | Paper | Paper 2 | Time zone | TZ0 |
Command term | Evaluate | Question number | 3 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
Evaluate the effectiveness of one or more treatments.
Markscheme
Refer to the paper 2 assessment criteria when awarding marks. These can be found under the “Your tests” tab > supplemental materials.
The command term “evaluate” requires candidates to make an appraisal of the effectiveness of the chosen treatment(s) by weighing up its/their strengths and limitations. Although a discussion of both strengths and limitations is required, it does not have to be evenly balanced to gain high marks.
Relevant studies may include, but are not limited to:
- Cooper et al.’s (2003) study on short and long-term effects of psychological treatment on post-partum depression
- Neale et al.’s (2011) meta-analysis of studies of the outcome of using antidepressants versus placebos
- Elkin et al.’s (1989) outcome study of treatment for depression
- MacDermut et al.’s (2001) meta-analysis of the effectiveness of group therapy for depression
- Pampallona et al.’s (2004) study on the efficacy of drug treatment alone versus drug treatment and psychotherapy in depression
- Vocks et al.’s (2010) meta-analysis of the effectiveness of psychological and pharmacological treatments for binge-eating disorder.
Evaluative points may include, but are not limited to:
- cultural considerations
- short-term versus long-term efficacy
- side-effects of treatment
- cost of treatment
- age and gender considerations
- focus of treatment (symptom versus cause)
- non-compliance
- methodological considerations of studies assessing effectiveness of treatment (small samples,no control group, no random allocation of patients and possibility of researcher bias).
If the candidate addresses only strengths or only limitations, the response should be awarded up to a maximum of [3] for criterion D: critical thinking. All remaining criteria should be awarded marks according to the best fit approach.