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.
689 exam-style questions on AQA A Level Psychology Scientific processes. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.