Homework - The Cognitive Interview

Homework – The Cognitive Interview Essay Question

Discuss the use of the cognitive interview in obtaining evidence from eyewitnesses. (12 marks)

This is a slightly different kind of extended writing question to the other two types you have done so far. However, the principle is the same:

AO1 = Knowledge and understanding

AO2 = Evaluation

First the ‘injunction’ used is different. This time it says ‘discuss’ instead of ‘outline’ and ‘evaluate’. The injunction ‘outline and evaluate’ clearly means ‘do AO1 and do AO2’ but ‘discuss’ means the same thing.

Think – what’s the AO1 and what’s the AO2? You should then prepare to write about 150 words for each:

AO1 You should describe the cognitive interview. Your answer to question 1 of the CAN YOU…?, on page 37 of the cognitive interview lesson hand-out, provides 6 marks worth of description of the cognitive interview.

AO2 You can use research evidence that supports the effectiveness of the cognitive interview as well as research evidence that challenges its effectiveness.

DON’T FORGET, when doing AO2, to follow the three-point rule for every critical point:

1 Identify the criticism	For example, ‘One study that supports the effectiveness of the cognitive interview is by Kohnken et al’.
2 Justify this claim	For example, ‘The study found that there was a 34% increase in recall when the cognitive interview was used compared to standard interviewing techniques.’
3 Explain what this means	For example, ‘ This shows that the CI is a more effective way to access memories for an incident than existing methods of interviewing are’.

Prepare a prompt card for revision based on tour essay. This card should only contain key words to prompt your answer.

DUE FRIDAY THE 12^th October 2012