Name:________________________________________

Guide to the Psychology Internal Assessment

Introduction: In order to fulfill the IB Psychology requirements (for both HL and SL) students will be replicating a simple experimental study. Students will be responsible for researching an experimental study, designing an experiment to replicate it, gather participants, conduct the study, and then complete a report based on their findings. Students will have different portions of the IA due throughout the year. Students will be gathering their data in groups for the first part of the IA.

What you need: The psychology course defines a simple experimental study as requiring the manipulation of ONE independent variable, and ONE dependant variable, while other variables are kept constant. Correlation studies and quasi-experiments are NOT allowed.

Variables based on pre-existing characteristics of the participants are not allowed. The following are NOT allowed to be tested:

Gender (Comparing results of males and females) Age (Comparing results of adults and children) Native language (Comparing native French and native English speakers) Educational level (Comparing the results of students in grade 11 to grade 9) Culture (Comparing African American and Caribbean results) Socio-economic status (Comparing poor and rich participants) Handedness (Comparing left and right handed participants) You MAY NOT harm any participants Participants must be at least 16 years of age

Directions:

Step 1: Research one of the following experiments. Choose one you would like to replicateStep 2: With you group, design a replication of the experiment. SL students must replicate the

experiment exactly, HL students may modify it.Step 3: Choose participants, be sure to use one of the methods we have discussed to choose

participantsStep 4: Run the experiment, and gather raw data in charts *be sure to give out consent forms*Step 5: Do a statistical analysis of your data SL: Descriptive, HL: Descriptive AND InferentialStep 6: Write the report using the rubric – be sure you include ALL parts!

Time Line of Due Dates:

Directions Due Date

Research all of the experiments listed and choose on you would be interested in replicating.Hand in a write up including:

Aim of original study Description of method of original study Results of original study Conclusions of original study Why you would like to replicate it

With you group, design an experiment Write up the procedure you will follow Create all handouts/manipulatives you will need Write up a script you will follow Write up the procedure you will use to choose

participants and why you will use it Tell me what each member of the group will do

Go out and gather your data!Each member of the group should have their own data sheet

Hand in raw dataRun you statistics tests on your data (THIS IS DONE ALONE)

SL: Just descriptive statistics HL: Descriptive statistics and Inferential statistics Be sure you have a chart, a written explanation of your

data, and a graph of your findings DO NOT include your raw data chart here

Rough draft of IA Abstract Introduction Method Section Results

Final draft of IA Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion Citation

Studies you may choose from:

Loftus and Palmer Craik and guy Mozart Find another one

Paper Format

Format Higher Level Standard LevelTitle Page Title

Candidate name and number Subject and level Date, month and year of

submission Number of words

Title Candidate name and number Subject and level Date, month and year of

submission Number of words

Abstract Statement of aim and hypotheses Summary of methods Summary of results Conclusion

Statement of aims Summary of methods Summary of results Conclusion

Introduction Aim of the study Literature review (analysis of

relevant background studies and theories)

Operationalized experimental hypothesis

Operationalized null hypothesis

Aim of the study Identification and explanation

of study being replicated

Methods Design : type and justification of experimental design, controls, ethical considerations including informed consent, identification of independent and dependent variables

Participants: characteristics of the sample, target population, sampling technique, allocation of participants to conditions

Materials: list of materials used, reference to copies in appendices

Procedures: described in sufficient detail to allow full replication

Design : type and justification of experimental design, controls, ethical considerations including informed consent, identification of independent and dependent variables

Participants : characteristics of sample, sampling technique, allocation of participants to conditions

Materials : list of materials used, reference to copies in appendices

Procedures: described in sufficient detail to allow full replication

Results Statement of the measure(s) of central tendency, as appropriate

Statement of the measure(s) of dispersion, as appropriate

Justification of choice of descriptive statistic

Reporting of inferential statistics and justification of their use (calculations in appendix)

Statement of statistical significance

Appropriate use of fully explained graphs and tables (may be computer generated)

Statement of the measure(s) of central tendency, as appropriate

Statement of the measure(s) of dispersion, as appropriate

Justification of choice of descriptive statistic

Appropriate use of fully explained graphs and tables (may be computer generated)

Discussion Discussion of results Interpretation of descriptive and

inferential statistics Comparison of findings to studies

and theories reviewed in the introduction

Identification of limitations of the candidate's research

Suggestions for modification to address limitations of the candidate's research

Conclusion

Interpretation of descriptive statistics

Comparison of findings to study being replicated

Identification of limitations of the candidate's research

Suggestions for modification to address limitations of the candidate's research

Conclusion

References Works cited within the report listed in a standard format

Works cited within the report listed in a standard format

Appendices Raw data tables and calculations Supplementary information One copy of instrument(s) used Copy of standardized instructions and

debriefing notes Copy of blank, informed consent form

(participant and / or parent)

Raw data tables and calculations

Supplementary information One copy of instrument(s)

used Copy of standardized

instructions and debriefing notes

Copy of blank, informed consent form (participant and / or parent)

Word Count 1,500-2,000 1,000-1,500Marks 28 20

IA Grading Rubric HL

IA Grading Rubric SL