Psychology IA Criteria and Checklist

Psychology IA Criteria and Checklist

You have already chosen your Psychology IA topic and you don't know what to do next? A crucial step is getting to know the assessment criteria. Keep reading to learn our tips on what to include in your essay to write a perfect IA.  

Internal assessment is an integral part of the psychology course, contributing 25% to the final assessment at SL and 20% at HL. The 22 marks are divided between the following criteria:  
 

Criterion A: Introduction - 6 points 

Your internal assessment must have a clearly defined topic that is relevant and linked to the Psychology course. In the introduction, you must describe the scientific context and define the specific terminology. You should distinguish between the dependent and independent variables in your study and state hypotheses that will guide your investigation.   

For a maximum of 6 points: 

• The aim of the investigation is stated and its relevance is explained. 

• The theory or model upon which the student’s investigation is based is described. The link to the student’s investigation is explained. 

• The Independent and Dependent Variables are stated and implemented in the null or research hypotheses.

See this IA for reference.  

Criterion B: Exploration - 4 points 

The next section of your Psychology IA should describe your approach to investigating the topic. Present your plan for conducting the research and explain the criteria regarding the choice of sampling technique and the selection of participants. List the controlled variables explain what would be their impact on the study and the method used to control them. Finally, list the required materials alongside the justification of their choice.  
 

For a maximum of 4 points: 

• The research design is presented and justified. 

• The sampling technique and the choice of participants are explained. 

• Controlled variables are properly described. 

• The choice of materials is stated.

Use this exemplar for inspiration.  
 

Check out our free Psychology IA exemplars

View all exemplars on Clastify

Grade received: 7

Investigating the Recency Effect in the Multi-store Memory Model

Grade received: 7

An investigation into the effect of the font on the number of correct responses in a multiple-choice quiz. (Dual-Processing Model theory)

Grade received: 7

How do leading questions affect eyewitness testimonies?”

View hundreds of other Psychology IA exemplars on Clastify

Click to view exemplars

Grade received: 7

An investigation into the theory of reconstructive memory

Grade received: 7

An experiment to investigate the impact of levels of processing on the recall of a list of words

Grade received: 7

Investigating the Halo effect and what impact does the attitude and behaviour of an individual have on the perception of his physical appearance by adolescent high school students.

Grade received: 7

Tversky and Kahneman: The effect of Anchoring Bias on Decision Making

View hundreds of other Psychology IA exemplars on Clastify

Click to view exemplars

Grade received: 7

An experiment to investigate the influence of perceived effort on judgements of quality (a replication of Kruger et al (2004))

Grade received: 6

A reconstruction of Loftus and Palmer (1974) to investigate the effect of Reconstructive Memory and Language

Grade received: 7

A Partial Replication of Bransford and Johnson’s Prior Schema Study (1972)

Grade received: 7

Investigating the Recency Effect in the Multi-store Memory Model

Grade received: 7

An investigation into the effect of the font on the number of correct responses in a multiple-choice quiz. (Dual-Processing Model theory)

Grade received: 7

How do leading questions affect eyewitness testimonies?”

View hundreds of other Psychology IA exemplars on Clastify

Click to view exemplars

Grade received: 7

An investigation into the theory of reconstructive memory

Grade received: 7

An experiment to investigate the impact of levels of processing on the recall of a list of words

Grade received: 7

Investigating the Halo effect and what impact does the attitude and behaviour of an individual have on the perception of his physical appearance by adolescent high school students.

Grade received: 7

Tversky and Kahneman: The effect of Anchoring Bias on Decision Making

View hundreds of other Psychology IA exemplars on Clastify

Click to view exemplars

Grade received: 7

An experiment to investigate the influence of perceived effort on judgements of quality (a replication of Kruger et al (2004))

Grade received: 6

A reconstruction of Loftus and Palmer (1974) to investigate the effect of Reconstructive Memory and Language

Grade received: 7

A Partial Replication of Bransford and Johnson’s Prior Schema Study (1972)

Grade received: 7

Investigating the Recency Effect in the Multi-store Memory Model

Grade received: 7

An investigation into the effect of the font on the number of correct responses in a multiple-choice quiz. (Dual-Processing Model theory)

Grade received: 7

How do leading questions affect eyewitness testimonies?”

Criterion C: Analysis - 6 points 

After having collected the data apply statistical methods (descriptive and inferential) to analyse the data. Look for trends within the data. Employ forms of graphical representation such as graphs but remember to appropriately present them - they should contain a label, axis titles and use appropriate data. Make sure that you interpret the findings sufficiently to test out the previously stated hypotheses.  
 

For a maximum of 6 points 

• Descriptive and inferential statistics are appropriately and accurately applied.

• Statistics is free of error. 

• The graphs are correctly labeled and address the hypothesis.

• The statistical findings are interpreted with regard to the data and linked to the hypothesis.

Check out a good analysis here.  

Criterion D: Evaluation - 6 points 

In the evaluation, you are expected to state a conclusion referring to your findings and the background theory. You should also state whether your hypotheses turned out to be correct. Next, discuss the strengths and weakness of your approach to the study (sampling, design and procedure) and propose modifications that would improve your investigation. Make sure to justify your evaluations and that they are relevant to your research.   
 

For a maximum of 6 points:

• The findings of the student’s investigation are discussed with reference to the theory or model. 

• Strengths and limitations of the design, sample and procedure are stated and explained and relevant to the investigation. 

• Modifications are explicitly linked to the limitations of the student’s investigation and fully justified.

You can refer to this example.  

Now you are ready to move on with your Psychology internal assessment. Remember to include all the above suggestions to increase your chances of receiving a high score. If you would like to find out to what extent your work meets these criteria don't hesitate to upload it for Review.