Research methods

  • Activities to develop critical thinking
  • How to integrate research methodology
  • Project-based assessments
  • Quizzes on research methodology

In my own course, I start off with a five-week introduction to research methods.  I try to make the activities hands-on and give students a foundation in vocabulary that we will use throughout the course.  I then continue to integrate research methods throughout the course - with special "HL sessions" on the theoretical aspects of qualitative research starting in the second year.

Where are students assessed on research methods?

The concept of how psychologists do their research is an essential part of all facets of the IB Psychology curriculum. Here is an outline of where the questions about research may be asked:

Paper 1: Students may be asked to discuss a research method used in a particular approach to studying behavior - that is, biological, cognitive, or socio-cultural.

Papers 1 and 2: Students may evaluate the methodology employed in research in order to evaluate studies with regard to the essay prompt.

Paper 3: This paper is HL only. It is focused on both quantitative and qualitative research.

Internal Assessment: Students are required to carry out an experimental study.

This part of the site is dedicated to helping teach about research methodology - both experimental and non-experimental. In addition to teaching support for some of the theories required for Paper 3, you will find activities for skill development and sample work of student projects. 

In the section of this site devoted to external assessment, you will find my own attempts at Paper 3 samples - together with student responses and my own comments to students.

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