A behavioral researcher recruited remote software engineers for a 7-day study monitoring virtual work environment metrics and daily cognitive stamina.
Participants installed a productivity browser extension. At the end of each workday, the extension displayed a daily summary rating of their "browser-tab efficiency" (which, unbeknownst to the participants, was entirely fabricated by the researcher). Over the 7 days, the extension randomly displayed "highly chaotic tab behavior" (unfavorable rating) on three days and "streamlined tab behavior" (favorable rating) on the other four days, regardless of actual browser use.
Immediately after viewing this rating, participants completed a brief daily questionnaire. The target question asked them to rate their mental focus and cognitive fatigue on a scale of 1–10. Alongside this target question, the researcher embedded questions about their desk ergonomics, hourly water intake, and background room noise.
Explain one reason why the researcher chose to include these additional questions about ergonomics, water intake, and room noise.
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.