A medical researcher investigated the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) simulation training compared to traditional textbook and video training for junior doctors learning a complex laparoscopic procedure.
One group of six junior doctors completed 10 hours of VR simulation training. A second, independent group of six junior doctors completed 10 hours of traditional textbook and video study. The researcher evaluated their subsequent performance during a mock laparoscopic procedure, awarding each participant a surgical competency score out of 50. The quantitative data collected, including ranks, is shown in the table below.
| Surgical competency score (max. 50) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VR Simulation training | Traditional Study training | ||||
| Participant | Score | Rank | Participant | Score | Rank |
| A | 44 | 10 | G | 35 | 3.5 |
| B | 38 | 6 | H | 29 | 1 |
| C | 47 | 11 | I | 40 | 7 |
| D | 35 | 3.5 | J | 32 | 2 |
| E | 41 | 8 | K | 43 | 9 |
| F | 48 | 12 | L | 36 | 5 |
| n1=6n_1 = 6n1=6 | n2=6n_2 = 6n2=6 |
Explain one weakness of using quantitative data in this study.
644 exam-style questions on OCR A Level Psychology Research methods and techniques. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.