IB Psychology Internal
Assessment Guide Introduction
Useful resources
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IB guide
library
The diploma programme’s student
guide to the psychology internal
assessment
Cranepsych.com
www.sciencedirect.com
step.psy.cmu.edu/scripts
www.findarticles.com
http://scholar.google.co.th
www.books.google.com
Ebsco
http://cpl.revues.org/index398.html
Work plan
1. Choose topic
2. Complete introduction
3. Complete method
4. Carry out study
5. Complete first draft
6. Complete final draft
Choice of topic
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Topics must be from the cognitive level of analysis
Make sure you have enough sources for your topic
The sources should preferably be the original
articles
A textbook on the topic of study as a source is
recommended
Introduction - SL
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Aim of study (What effect you are investigating,
on what behaviour and for what target
population)
Description of study being replicated (aim,
procedure and findings)
Theoretical explanation of findings
Proper reference (ca 2 sources)
What to Include in your Method
a) Design
b) Participants
c) Materials
d) Procedure
Design
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Identify independent variable, dependent
variable and controls
Identify and justify design
Ethical considerations
Do Not Forget!
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The independent variable must be measured
with ordinal data (data that can be quantified
with measures of central tendency and
dispersion; e.g. mean, mode, standard
deviation, range)
Examples of Experimental designs
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Repeated measures design (within
subject design
Independent measures design (between
subject design)
Repeated measures design
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Each participant takes part in all conditions of
the independent variable.
Justification: Individual variables are kept
constant between conditions, fewer subjects
are required
Independent Measures Design
Two or more separate groups take the various
conditions of the independent variable.
Justification: No order/practice effects, more
difficult for participants to guess the aim of
the experiment, same test can be used for both
groups (control)
Possible Ethical Considerations for
your Experiment
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Informed consent
Respect for participant´s integrity (anonymity and
confidentiality of findings)
Minimal stress
Justification of deception
Right of withdrawal
Debriefing
Protect anonymity by not including the name of the
school within the report
Participants
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Sampling method – must be sample of
opportunity
Identification of target population
Characteristics of sample (number of
participants, level of English, age, gender
distribution)
Selection and allocation procedures must be
identified and justified
Sampling
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The process of selecting subjects to study
from a target population (a group of people
with particular characteristics)
Subjects must be randomly allocated to each
condition/group
Opportunity Sample
Opportunity/convenience sampling: Choosing
participants that are available and around
Justification: convenience, time constraints
Materials
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Any material that was
specifically
developed for the
experiment should be
listed and referenced
to a sample copy
included in the
appendices
Procedures
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An accurate description of how the experiment was carried
out
Chronological order, may be in bullet points
Enough detail so that the study can be replicated
Must include development of materials and how ethical
guidelines have been applied (e.g. Informed consent and
debriefing) It is recommended to use standardized
instructions
Refer to the appendix for the consent form, debriefing notes,
standardized instructions and developed materials
Internal assessment
Results, Discussion, and
Format
Sections of internal assessment
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Title page
Abstract
Table of contents
Introduction
Method
Results
Discussion
References
Appendices
Title page
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The hypothesis/aim may determine how the title is
constructed. You are also allowed to be creative
Candidate number, date of completion, the
instructor´s name, the level of course (HL or SL) and
the final word count should be clearly indicated on
the title page (1,500 for SL)
Abstract
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The abstract contains a summary of important
information about the study. It should
summarize aim, method, results, and
conclusion of the study. It should not exceed
200 words.
Table of contents
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All pages should be numbered, including the
appendices
Results (SL)
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1 graph, 1 table
Graph should show averages of conditions/groups and not individual
scores!!!
A narrative statement of results. State differences in range and differences
in averages
Ordinal data
One measure of central tendency (mean,median, or mode)
One measure of dispersion (Range or standard deviation)
Justification for choice of the descriptive statistic
Justification for measure of central
tendency
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Mean: If sample is expected to be
representative of target population, if data is
ratio or interval. Most of you will use mean
Median: If there are extreme outliers, if data
is ordinal
Justification for measure of
dispersion
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Range: If data is ordinal and sample size is
large
Standard deviation: Most of you will do a
standard deviation. If data is ratio/interval and
the population is assumed to be normally
distributed
Justification for use of statistical test
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Mann Whitney U: If your hypothesis predicts a
difference between two sets of data. If the sets of
data are from separate groups of participants. If the
data are ordinal or interval.
Wilcoxon matched pairs signed ranks test (T): If
the hypothesis predicts a difference between two sets
of data. If the two sets of data are related, i.e. pairs of
scores from one person. If the data is ordinal or
interval.
Significance
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Significance: In statistics, the probability of
how likely a result has occurred by chance
Discussion (SL)
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Linking of results to study being replicated
Explanation/discussion of results, e.g. Differences between
central tendency and measures of dispersion
Weaknesses of methodology
Suggestions for modification of study to adress weaknesses
A final brief conclusion which summarizes the results of the
experiment
References
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SL: At least one reference
A complete set of references
Sources must be credible, preferably primary
Correct APA format
Appendix
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Raw data
Calculations
Blank consent form
Blank debriefing note
Instructions
Any other written material used