A researcher is investigating the impact of animal-assisted therapy on the cognitive engagement and anxiety levels of elderly residents diagnosed with mild-to-moderate dementia.
The researcher carried out the study using residents recruited from two local care facilities. There were 60 residents at Facility A and 30 residents at Facility B. The researcher used stratified sampling across the facilities to select fifteen residents with mild dementia and fifteen with moderate dementia to take part in the study.
Each resident was observed individually for 30 minutes during a structured interaction session with a registered therapy dog in a quiet communal lounge. The researcher recorded the frequency and duration of positive engagement behaviors (such as smiling, verbalizing, and physical contact) and any signs of distress. All legally designated representatives (next of kin holding Power of Attorney) provided informed consent for the residents to take part.
Explain how the researcher could have obtained informed consent from the legally designated representatives of the residents for this study.
Practise AQA A Level Psychology Scientific processes with exam-style questions for A Level Psychology. 689 questions, matched to the AQA A Level Psychology (7182) specification and written in Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3 style. Every question includes a full worked solution and mark scheme, so you can see where marks are awarded rather than just whether you got the answer right.
