IB Psychology HL Internal Assessment Exemplar
Investigation on the working memory model by experimenting the impact of background music on memory formation measured by performance in a memory recall test
Overall Score: 13/22
IB Grade: 5
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General feedback
13/22
0
11
22
5.1·question
Page 9
Clarify how the ChatGPT citation influenced material creation and address potential AI-related biases.
5.2·suggestion
Page 9
Include additional peer-reviewed references to strengthen the literature base beyond four sources.
Criteria A: Introduction
4/6
0
3
6
Criteria Strands
Excellent
Investigation aim and relevance
Excellent
Theory/model description and connection
Excellent
Hypothesis and variables
Criteria Feedback
- Clear, focused aim with explicit relevance to educational practice
- Accurate description of the working-memory model with a link to dual-task interference
- Well-operationalized, directional experimental hypothesis with null hypothesis stated
- Terminology occasionally informal (e.g., “cognitive resources” vs “attentional control system”)
- Brief cost–benefit discussion limits depth of relevance explanation
- Could deepen the discussion of prior findings (e.g., Perham & Vizard) to strengthen rationale
Criteria B: Exploration
2/4
0
2
4
Criteria Strands
Good
Research design
Good
Sampling and participants
Excellent
Variables and materials
Criteria Feedback
- Research design is correctly identified and its rationale (avoiding order effects) is explained
- Controlled variables and materials are listed and justified, supporting validity
- Opportunity sampling is described but its bias and impact on generalizability are not evaluated
- No justification is given for the use of AI-generated story material
Criteria C: Analysis
4/6
0
3
6
Criteria Strands
Good
Statistical analysis
Moderate
Graphical presentation
Excellent
Findings interpretation
Criteria Feedback
- Appropriate use of descriptive (median, SD) and inferential (Mann–Whitney U) statistics with correct significance decision
- Findings are interpreted clearly and linked to the hypothesis
- Statistical choice matches non-parametric data
- Use of SD with ordinal data is inappropriate; interquartile range would suit better
- No effect-size reported to convey practical significance
- Graphical presentation omits error bars and clear unit labels
Criteria D: Evaluation
3/6
0
3
6
Criteria Strands
Excellent
Findings discussion
Excellent
Strengths and limitations
Excellent
Modifications
Criteria Feedback
- Findings are discussed in relation to the working-memory model
- Strengths and limitations are identified, explained and tied to validity
- Modifications are clearly linked to specific limitations
- Discussion is concise and could further explore theoretical implications of a non-significant result
- Formatting issues (tables misaligned) reduce clarity
- Evaluation would benefit from deeper critical reflection on time-pressure and longitudinal extensions