Online learning can be a challenge so here are some tips for doing the IA online. Read more: Key Studies for the IA IA Tips: How to explain your…DESIGN How to avoid the biggest mistake in IAs Which studies work best? I’ve been through my complete recommended IA studies list and found the ones I recommend to my own students …
IA Tips: How to explain your…SAMPLING TECHNIQUE
Explaining the sampling technique might just be the easiest part of the Exploration. Let’s look at how it can be done properly. The IB’s given some advice, too, but be careful – it’s not as straightforward as first appears. The most common sampling technique is opportunity sampling (aka convenience sampling). Alternative choices include: Random sampling Volunteer sampling (aka self-selected sampling) …
IA Procedures – Are they necessary?1 in favour, 4 opposed
In previous posts and videos I’ve advised to move your procedures to the appendices if word count is an issue in the IA. Is this really an acceptable approach? Here are 4 reasons why you don’t need a procedures section and one reason why you should have it. Some examiners think you’re not allowed to put the procedures in the appendices. …
IA Tips…How to explain your CONTROLLED VARIABLES
Explaining the “controlled variables” is tricky. Most students state or maybe describe, but few really explain them. Here’s how to do it and an example to show you. What are controlled variables? A “controlled variable” is any factor that could affect your results so you kept it constant in both conditions of your experiment. You want to control certain variables …
How to use APA referencing for your IA and EE
This post is designed to give you a quick guide on how to make sure you’re using APA formatting properly. It will cover the two main elements to consider when using APA-style referencing in your psychology papers: in-text citations and the references list. When it comes to citations, I think the why is just as important as the how. So I am intent …
IA Tips…How to explain your PARTICIPANTS
You must “explain” the five elements of the exploration: Design, Sampling technique, Controls, Materials, Participants to get full marks for the IA exploration (4 marks). In this post we’ll look at how to explain your choice of participants. Explaining participant choices is quite difficult. I would aim to have one really excellent explanation that clearly shows how you are controlling …
IA Tips: How to explain your…MATERIALS
The key to a great IA is attention to detail. The Exploration is worth the fewest marks (4) but probably requires the most attention. I don’t think the Exploration is a difficult section to write, as long as you follow some basic guidelines. I’ve already made a video explaining how to use the What-How-Why method (State-Describe-Explain) to explain each section …
IA Tips for Loftus and Palmer
By far it’s the most popular study to conduct for the IB Psychology IA. But watch out, the “car crash study” can cause major accidents if you’re not careful. So if you’re doing Loftus and Palmer for the IA, read this post carefully. Below is a summary of some common errors students make and tips on how to avoid these …
IA tips for Glanzer and Cunitz Studies
It’s a popular study to replicate for the IA, but Glanzer and Cunitz’s 1966 study on the serial position effect is filled with danger when you’re not careful. If you’re doing this study for your IA, read this post carefully! Read more: Key Study: Multi-store Model and The Primacy and Recency Effects Key Studies for the IA These famous psychologists …
How to avoid the biggest mistake in IAsLink your investigation to the background theory
The most common mistake I’ve seen in IAs with the new curriculum is the lack of focus on the background theory or model. Students spend all their time and energy on the original study they’re replicating, that they completely overlook this crucial element. In this blog post (and video), (and in the video below) I want to show you an easy …