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The IB Psychology Internal Assessment (IA) for first assessment in 2027 represents a significant shift from previous years, focusing on a hypothetical research proposal rather than the execution of a small-scale experiment. This new task emphasizes continuous improvement in the human condition by addressing real-world problems affecting specific populations. Students are now assessed on their ability to justify methodological choices and reflect on research as a tool for social change. This post outlines the updated IA criteria and provides a practical checklist aligned with the rubric from the official IB Psychology subject guide.
IB Psychology IA Criteria and Checklist
The IB Psychology IA is common to both SL and HL students and is marked out of a total of 24 marks. Students must submit a written research proposal of up to 2,200 words that investigates a "population of interest" using one of four approved research methods. Because the study is hypothetical, students have the unique opportunity to propose complex designs, such as longitudinal studies or investigations into topics like mental health, which were previously restricted.
Criterion A: Introduction – 6 marks
This section requires students to establish a clear purpose for their investigation by identifying a specific real-world problem and explaining how it impacts their chosen population. Students must demonstrate academic grounding by conducting a brief literature review that synthesizes the findings and conclusions of two relevant, published psychological studies. The goal is to create a focused research aim that logically emerges from this background research and addresses the identified social or personal issue.
For a maximum of 6 marks:
Clearly state a focused research question or aim.
Describe a relevant real-life problem.
Explain the impact of this problem on the chosen population of interest.
Summarize findings and conclusions from two relevant pieces of psychological research.
Explicitly link these previous studies to the current investigation.
Criterion B: Research Methodology – 6 marks
Students must justify why their chosen research method (e.g. experiment, interview, observation, survey) is the most appropriate tool for their specific aim. This involves a detailed explanation of the proposed procedure, including sampling techniques, participant characteristics, and the research setting. Furthermore, students must outline ethical safeguards, specifically addressing how they would protect vulnerable participants or handle sensitive data, ensuring the proposal meets the high standards required by an ethics committee.
For a maximum of 6 marks:
Identify and explain the choice of one of the four allowed research methods.
Provide a detailed explanation of the research procedure.
Describe relevant ethical considerations for the study.
Explicitly link these ethical considerations to the specific investigation.
Criterion C: Data Collection – 6 marks
This criterion focuses on the practical application of measurement by requiring students to develop an original data collection tool, such as an interview schedule or an observation checklist with at least five items. Students must explain the rationale behind the design of this tool, such as how it operationalizes complex variables into measurable data. Additionally, students must demonstrate foresight by discussing potential challenges that could arise during the data collection process, such as researcher bias or participant reactivity, and how these might affect findings.
For a maximum of 6 marks:
Create an appropriate and effective data collection tool.
Explain the decisions made when creating the tool, such as how it operationalizes variables.
Ensure the tool is relevant to the stated research aim or question.
Explain potential challenges that could arise during data collection.
Ensure identified challenges are directly relevant to the investigation.
Criterion D: Discussion – 6 marks
In the final section, students predict potential findings and discuss how these outcomes could inform future policies or practical applications to benefit their population of interest. A critical component is personal reflexivity, where students evaluate how their own background, values, or gender may have influenced the research design or interpretation. To demonstrate a holistic understanding, students must also suggest an alternative research method and discuss how using it would provide a deeper, multi-perspective insight into the topic.
For a maximum of 6 marks:
Describe the potential findings of the investigation in detail.
Explain the implications of these findings for future policies or practices.
Discuss how the researcher’s own background or personal values may have influenced the investigation.
Suggest one additional research method that could be used to investigate the same topic.
Discuss how this additional method would increase the overall understanding of the area of investigation.
We hope you found this post helpful in learning more about the IB Psychology IA Criteria. For more useful materials associated with the IB, check out the wide variety of IA, EE and TOK exemplars available at Clastify and other guides available on our blog.
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