Researchers wanted to investigate whether university students correctly sort their waste at disposal stations in the student union building. Previous research findings on student recycling compliance in public spaces were inconsistent.
There were three types of bins available at each disposal station:
The researchers analyzed safety security camera footage of the disposal stations over a five-day period. From each day, they sampled a total of four hours of footage during peak lunch and dinner hours. They recorded the number of students who disposed of their waste correctly at each of the three bin types.
Question:
Explain why observing the students covertly via security camera footage should reduce demand characteristics in 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.
