IB Psychology IA Explained: Complete 2025 Guide to Scoring High
The IB Psychology Internal Assessment (IA) is a major component of the course, giving students the opportunity to design, conduct, and evaluate their own psychological investigation. Whether at Standard Level or Higher Level, the IA requires careful planning, clear reporting, and critical reflection to achieve top marks. This guide explains the key assessment criteria and provides practical tips for success.
Introduction: Purpose of the IB Psychology IA
The Psychology IA assesses your ability to apply psychological theory and methods in a real or simulated investigation. It tests not just your research skills but also your critical thinking, use of psychological terminology, and ability to evaluate your work against the standards of the discipline.
The Four IB Psychology IA Criteria
The IA is marked out of 22 points, divided across four main criteria. Each section contributes to your overall success, so addressing all areas thoroughly is essential.
Introduction (6 marks)
- Clearly state the aim of your investigation. This should explain what you are trying to discover and why it matters in the context of psychology.
- Describe the psychological theory or model that underpins your study. Make clear connections between this theory and your investigation.
- Define and operationalize both the independent and dependent variables. Be precise about how these variables are measured or manipulated.
- Formulate a clear hypothesis or null hypothesis that directly relates to your aim and variables.
Exploration (4 marks)
- Explain the research design you have chosen and justify why it is suitable for your aim.
- Describe your sampling method and provide a rationale for participant selection.
- Identify the controlled variables in your study and explain how you kept them consistent to ensure reliability.
- Detail the materials and equipment used in your investigation, and explain why these were appropriate.
Analysis (6 marks)
- Use descriptive statistics such as mean, median, range, and standard deviation to summarize your data.
- Apply appropriate inferential statistics to test your hypothesis and determine the significance of your results.
- Present your data clearly using well-labelled tables and graphs. Ensure visuals are easy to interpret and directly linked to your analysis.
- Interpret what the statistical findings mean in relation to your hypothesis, highlighting whether the data support or refute your predictions.
Evaluation (6 marks)
- Discuss your findings in relation to the background theory or model. Show how your results align with or challenge existing psychological knowledge.
- Identify and discuss strengths and limitations of your study’s design, sampling, and procedure. Focus on the most significant points rather than listing every possible flaw.
- Suggest modifications that are directly linked to the limitations you identified. Explain how these changes could improve the validity or reliability of your study.
- Provide a clear conclusion that states whether the independent variable influenced the dependent variable, taking into account the limitations of your study.
Word Count and Weighting
The IB Psychology IA typically falls between 1,800 and 2,200 words. For Standard Level students, the IA contributes approximately 25 to 30 percent of the final grade. For Higher Level students, it contributes about 20 percent.
Additional Best Practices
- Use psychological terminology accurately and consistently. Avoid informal language or vague phrasing.
- Follow ethical guidelines, including informed consent and confidentiality. Describe how you addressed ethics in your methodology.
- Present your work clearly, using logical sectioning and headings that match the IA criteria.
- Focus on depth rather than breadth, especially in the evaluation section. Prioritize detailed analysis over listing many minor points.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long should the IB Psychology IA be?
The recommended length is between 1,800 and 2,200 words. This word count excludes tables, diagrams, and references.
Do I need to conduct a real experiment?
Yes, the current curriculum expects students to conduct an actual experiment, often replicating a well-known study. The 2025 updates may introduce more flexibility, including research proposals.
What statistical tests should I use?
The appropriate test depends on your design. For example, a t-test is commonly used for comparing means between two groups, while chi-square is suitable for categorical data.
Can I include more than one theory in my introduction?
Focus on the main theory that directly informs your hypothesis. Avoid overcomplicating the introduction with multiple frameworks unless they are essential to your study.
How important is the evaluation section?
The evaluation section carries significant weight and demonstrates your critical thinking. A thoughtful, well-supported evaluation is key to achieving top marks.
Conclusion
The IB Psychology IA challenges students to think like psychologists—planning investigations, analyzing data, and evaluating findings with rigor and clarity. By carefully addressing the introduction, exploration, analysis, and evaluation criteria, and applying psychological theory effectively, you can produce an IA that meets IB standards and earns a high score.
For structured templates, sample high-scoring IAs, or detailed feedback on your draft, visit RevisionDojo, where IB experts provide resources to help you succeed in your IA.
