Observations: past paper questions
Real questions on observations
The newest 20 of 212 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 9990/42 · February/March 2026 · Q8b[2]
Suggest two behavioural categories that could be included in a structured observation of the storming stage.
See it on the paper → - 9990/42 · February/March 2026 · Q8c[4]
Explain one strength and one weakness of using a structured observation to investigate the storming stage of group development. Section B Answer one question from this section. Clinical Psychology
See it on the paper → - 9990/21 · October/November 2025 · Q1a[1]
Explain whether this observation is structured or unstructured.
See it on the paper → - 9990/21 · October/November 2025 · Q1b(i)[2]
Suggest two behavioural categories that the researcher could use to observe the study habits of students.
See it on the paper → - 9990/21 · October/November 2025 · Q1b(ii)[2]
For one of the behavioural categories you suggested in part (b)(i): Suggest one methodological problem with using this category to observe the study habits of students.
See it on the paper → - 9990/21 · October/November 2025 · Q8a[2]
Suggest one strength of using participant observation in this study.
See it on the paper → - 9990/21 · October/November 2025 · Q8b[2]
Suggest one advantage of Dr East using a non-participant observation compared to a participant observation.
See it on the paper → - 9990/22 · October/November 2025 · Q2a[1]
Outline what is meant by ‘qualitative data’.
See it on the paper → - 9990/22 · October/November 2025 · Q2b[2]
Describe the qualitative data that was collected from one of the following studies: • • Milgram (obedience) Piliavin et al. (subway Samaritans).
See it on the paper → - 9990/22 · October/November 2025 · Q3[2]
In the study by Fagen et al. (elephant learning) behaviours such as, ‘trunk here’, ‘trunk up’ and ‘bucket’, were recorded using a structured observation. Explain one strength of using a structured observation in this study.
See it on the paper → - 9990/22 · October/November 2025 · Q5[6]
Describe semi-structured interviews and unstructured interviews, using any example(s).
See it on the paper → - 9990/22 · October/November 2025 · Q7a[1]
Suggest one way that Lorna could measure a child’s vocabulary size.
See it on the paper → - 9990/22 · October/November 2025 · Q8c[4]
When Dr Chand conducts his study, he gives each adult a score out of 15 for how much they want to participate in social activities. He divides the adults into four different age groups and finds an average willingness to participate score for each group. These averages are shown in Table 8.1. Table 8.1 30–39 40–49 50–5...
See it on the paper → - 9990/23 · October/November 2025 · Q9a(i)[1]
Name the type of graph in Fig. 9.1.
See it on the paper → - 9990/23 · October/November 2025 · Q9a(ii)[1]
Suggest one conclusion from Daniel’s results.
See it on the paper → - 9990/41 · October/November 2025 · Q9a[10]
Plan a study using a structured observation to investigate the effectiveness of imaginal desensitisation for treating gambling disorder. Your plan must include details about: naturalistic or controlled observation type(s) of data. • •
See it on the paper → - 9990/41 · October/November 2025 · Q9c(i)[2]
Explain one reason for your choice of naturalistic observation or controlled observation.
See it on the paper → - 9990/41 · October/November 2025 · Q9c(ii)[2]
Explain one strength of using a structured observation in your study.
See it on the paper → - 9990/41 · October/November 2025 · Q9c(iii)[2]
Explain one reason for your choice of type(s) of data. Consumer Psychology
See it on the paper → - 9990/42 · October/November 2025 · Q3b[2]
Suggest how one feature of the design of a telephone interview could have been applied in this study.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Comprehensive responses • Responses correctly suggested two behaviours that could be included in a structured observation, such as ‘withdraws from the group’, ‘shakes head in disagreement’ and ‘smiles and nods when a point is being made’. Limited responses • Some candidates suggested responses other than behavioural such as ‘presents an idea’.
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 9990/42 Q8(b) (Cambridge)
Comprehensive responses • Many candidates included one strength and one weakness of structured observations and related each to the storming stage (as the question required). Limited responses • Some candidates could not provide any strength or weaknesses. Those that did often could not relate it to the storming stage of group development.
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 9990/42 Q8(c) (Cambridge)
This one-mark question required candidates to outline what is meant by an on overt observation. To achieve the marks candidates needed to give a brief but accurate explanation of the term, such as ‘participants being aware that they are being observed’. This was indeed the most common response seen. Candidate performance on this question was pleasing, most candidates were able to achieve the mark...
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9990/22 Q1(a) (Cambridge)
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