Photo AI
Noah is investigating a new treatment for offenders - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 8 - 2021 - Paper 2
Question 8
Noah is investigating a new treatment for offenders. He decided to conduct a case study on one offender from his local prison. Before Noah conducted his case study,... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Noah is investigating a new treatment for offenders - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 8 - 2021 - Paper 2
Step 1
Describe the risk management Noah would have had to carry out for his case study.
Answer
Noah must conduct a thorough risk assessment prior to undertaking his case study. He should ensure that the new treatment will not lead to any foreseeable adverse effects on the offender involved. This requires evaluating the potential risks versus benefits, ensuring that any possible negative outcomes are less than the positive impacts expected from the treatment. Moreover, Noah must establish safety measures, such as developing a plan to protect himself and the offender during the study. For instance, he should ensure that there is an escape route in place should the offender exhibit violent behavior. Additionally, securing appropriate insurance is crucial to cover any potential harm that the investigation may inflict on the offender or others, like prison staff.
Step 2
Step 3
Explain one reason why qualitative data may be better than quantitative data when researching criminological psychology.
Answer
Qualitative data can provide deeper insights into the reasons behind offending behavior. Unlike quantitative data, which offers numerical data and may limit responses, qualitative data allows offenders to articulate their thoughts and feelings, giving researchers a richer understanding of the underlying motivations for their behavior. This can enhance the effectiveness of treatment by addressing the specific issues that led to offending.
Step 4
Explain one weakness of Noah's investigation into the new treatment for offenders.
Answer
One potential weakness of Noah's investigation could be its validity. If Noah claims that the results of his study apply universally to all offenders without considering individual differences, the findings may lack generalizability. For example, the new treatment may be effective for some offenders but ineffective for others, particularly those with different backgrounds or types of offenses. This would mean that the conclusions drawn from his study might not be applicable to the broader offender population.