A researcher is investigating the effectiveness of a new cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) program on reducing anxiety symptoms in adults with social anxiety disorder. Participants are randomly assigned to either the CBT program or a waitlist control group. Anxiety symptoms are measured using a self-report questionnaire before and after the 12-week program. Despite observing a statistically significant reduction in anxiety symptoms in the CBT group compared to the control group, what is a potential limitation related to the data generation method that could impact the interpretation of the results?
The use of random assignment ensures that any pre-existing differences between groups are evenly distributed, eliminating potential confounding variables.
Self-report questionnaires are subjective and may be influenced by demand characteristics or social desirability bias, potentially leading to an inaccurate representation of participants’ true anxiety levels.
The waitlist control group design effectively controls for the placebo effect, ensuring that any observed improvements are directly attributable to the CBT program.
Statistical significance guarantees that the observed reduction in anxiety symptoms is clinically meaningful and generalizable to the broader population of adults with social anxiety disorder.
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Create Free Account Log inThis is a free VCE Units 3 & 4 Psychology practice question worth 1 mark, testing your understanding of Method limitations. It falls under How is scientific inquiry used to investigate mental processes and psychological functioning? in Unit 4: How is mental wellbeing supported and maintained?. Submit your answer above to receive instant AI-powered marking and personalised feedback.
In this unit students explore the demand for sleep and the influences of sleep on mental wellbeing. They consider how changes to a person’s sleep-wake cycle can affect psychological functioning. Students explore the concept of mental wellbeing, including social and emotional wellbeing as a multidimensional and holistic framework. They apply a biopsychosocial approach to specific phobia, exploring how biological, psychological and social factors are involved in its development and management. A student-designed scientific investigation involving the generation of primary data related to mental processes and mental wellbeing is undertaken in either Unit 3 or Unit 4 or across both Units 3 and 4, and is assessed in Outcome 3 of this unit.
Students undertake a student-designed scientific investigation in either Unit 3 or Unit 4, or across both Units 3 and 4, related to mental processes and mental wellbeing. The investigation involves the generation of primary quantitative data. Students apply key science skills to develop and test a research question, gather and analyse data, and communicate findings in a structured scientific poster. A logbook is maintained for authentication and assessment purposes.
assumptions and limitations of investigation methodology and/or data generation and/or analysis methods
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