IB Psychology Internal Assessment Guide - Introduction

Useful resources 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 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 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 Identify independent variable, dependent variable and controls Identify and justify design Ethical considerations

Do Not Forget! 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 Repeated measures design (within subject design Independent measures design (between subject design)

Repeated measures design 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 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 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 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 Any material that was specifically developed for the experiment should be listed and referenced to a sample copy included in the appendices

Procedures 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 Title page Abstract Table of contents Introduction Method Results Discussion References Appendices

Title page 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 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 All pages should be numbered, including the appendices

Results (SL) 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 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 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 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 Significance: In statistics, the probability of how likely a result has occurred by chance

Discussion (SL) 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 SL: At least one reference A complete set of references Sources must be credible, preferably primary Correct APA format

Appendix Raw data Calculations Blank consent form Blank debriefing note Instructions Any other written material used