1. Pitfalls for Papers 1 & 2

2. Poor time management

3. Not directly answering the
question.

4. • Always answer the question in the first
introduction.

5. • Always answer the question in the first
introduction.
• Define any relevant vocabulary. Eg - Discuss
two cultural dimensions.

6. • Always answer the question in the first
introduction.
• Define any relevant vocabulary. Eg - Discuss
two cultural dimensions.
• Outline how you will answer the question.

7. One study means one study.

8. Use correct vocabulary

9. Problem vocabulary
• Ecological validity
• Demand characteristics
• Order effects
• Experiment
• Correlation

10. Clarify your vocabulary
When evaluating a study, always clarify the evaluation in
terms of the study
Example:
One problem with this study could be demand characteristics.
What would be a better response?

11. Examples of clarified
responses
1. One problem with this study is demand characteristics.
It is possible that the participants did not want to look
bad in front of the researcher and gave a response that
was socially desirable - or what they thought the research
was looking for.
2. One problem with this study is demand characteristics.
As the person asking them to come in at 8:00 in the
morning was their own professor, they may have felt that
they had little choice but to say yes, regardless of
compliance techniques.

12. Lack of examples
Always have 2 - 3 studies or
theories

13. Avoid anecdotal examples
Personal stories or film plots
are not evidence.

14. Too many examples
leads to an unfocused essay which
lacks critical thinking

15. Link the studies to the
question

16. Examples of linkage
1. Bandura’s study demonstrates
Social Learning Theory
because....
2. The Sabido method shows how
SLT can be applied because...

17. Lack of critical thinking
The number 1 problem on
exams.