1. IB Psychology Internal Assessment Guide - Introduction

2. Useful resources IB guide library
The diploma programme’s student guide to the psychology internal assessment
Cranepsych.com
step.psy.cmu.edu/scripts
Ebsco

3. Work plan 1. Choose topic 2. Complete introduction 3. Complete method
4. Carry out study
5. Complete first draft
6. Complete final draft

4. 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

5. 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)

6. What to Include in your Method
a) Design
b) Participants
c) Materials
d) Procedure

7. Design Identify independent variable, dependent variable and controls
Identify and justify design
Ethical considerations

8. 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)

9. Examples of Experimental designs
Repeated measures design (within subject design
Independent measures design (between subject design)

10. 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

11. 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)

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. Opportunity Sample
Opportunity/convenience sampling: Choosing participants that are available and around
Justification: convenience, time constraints

16. Materials
Any material that was specifically developed for the experiment should be listed and referenced to a sample copy included in the appendices

17. 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

18. Internal assessment Results, Discussion, and Format

19. Sections of internal assessment
Title page
Abstract
Table of contents
Introduction
Method
Results
Discussion
References
Appendices

20. 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)

21. 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.

22. Table of contents
All pages should be numbered, including the appendices

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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.

27. Significance
Significance: In statistics, the probability of how likely a result has occurred by chance

28. 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

29. References SL: At least one reference A complete set of references
Sources must be credible, preferably primary
Correct APA format

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