IA Method Section Guide
- 1. A Guide to the Method Section: Design
- 2. Keys to this Section The independent and dependent variables are identified and operationalized. The experimental design is appropriate to the aim and its use is appropriately justified. There is clear identification and documentation of how ethical guidelines were followed.
- 3. Example Research Question/Study Does listening to music impact memory?
- 4. Independent and Dependent Variable Independent Variable: The characteristics that is being changed/manipulated. Dependent Variable: The behavior that is impacted by the IV. Example: IV = Music ; DV = Memory Levels of Variables: The amount of different groups you will be comparing. 2 Levels: Music and Control 5 Levels: Rock, Classical, Rap, Jazz, Control
- 5. What is Operationalization? Operationalization is the process of defining variables into measurable and quantifiable items. IV: Music = Playing Classical Music while reading a list of words. DV: Memory = The amount of words recalled from a list.
- 6. Your Turn… Identify the IV and DV from your research. Write them in operationalized form.
- 7. Groups within Research Treatment Group Group that has the IV/treatment manipulated. Example: Learning a list of words while listening to music. Goal: To examine how the IV impacts behavior. Control Group Group that the IV/treatment is not tested on. Example: Learning a list of words w/o music. Goal: to provide a comparison/baseline.
- 8. Your Turn… Identify the treatment and control group within your experiment.
- 9. Types of Design Independent Sample Design Two separate groups are tested. The control group and the treatment group. Example: One groups learns the list without listening to music, the other learns with music. Repeated Measure Design Each participant is tested under both the control and test group. Example: The participant learns a list in silence and is tested then learns a list with music and is tested.
- 10. Reasons for Independent Sample Design +Avoids Order Effect – If one trial would impact the performance on the second trial. + Participants are less likely to guess the hypothesis of the study. + Less likely to bore participants. + Same material may be used with both groups. - Participant Variability – Differences between participant’s ability in groups may impact results.
- 11. Reason for Repeated Measure Design +Limits Participation Variability. +Requires fewer participants. -May lead to Order Effect. - Demand Characteristics: When participants guess the aim of the study and do not act naturally because they want to be helpful – or the opposite.
- 12. Your Turn… Identify which type of design you will use and explain why. (Strengths and limitations)
- 13. Controls Blinds: Single or Double Standardized briefing/instructions Standardized Materials Environmental conditions Randomization Placebo
- 14. Writing a Consent Form As part of my IB Psychology Internal Assessment, I am carrying out a test on… During this experiment, you have the following rights: Informed about the nature of the experiment Right to withdraw at any time Confidentiality Anonymity will be protected No harm (physical/mental) Debrief & access to results I give my consent to participate in this experiment Name and Date
- 15. Briefing Notes/Script This will be what you say before and during your experiment. Explain to your participants… who you are why you are there, what they will be asked to do what their ethical rights are. Include your instructions as you carry out your experiment. Include actions (passing out and collecting consent forms, turning on the video). Include individual briefing/instructions if you will address individuals. Imagine that another person was going to read these instructions. They should be able to copy your actions exactly.
- 16. Debriefing Notes Explain to your participants… what the aim of the research was what you expect to find how they can learn about your findings their right to withdraw their data how much you appreciate them and their teacher giving you time in their classroom. You will read this after you have collected all data.
- 17. A Guide to the Method Section: Participants
- 18. Keys to this sections Relevant characteristics of the participants are identified. The sample is selected using an appropriate method and the use of this method is explained.
- 19. Participant Characteristics Number of Participants Average Age Grade Number from each Gender Other Relevant characteristics to your study (Drivers License?) You will collect this information when you are performing your experiment.
- 20. Sampling Techniques Random: randomly selecting individuals from a population…Good chance that it will be representative. Opportunity: Participants are used because they are available…May not be representative of whole population Systematic: Selecting certain individuals with certain traits.
- 21. A Guide to the Method Section: Procedure
- 22. Keys to this Section The procedural information is relevant, clearly described and is easily replicable. Necessary materials have been included and referenced in the appendices. Ethical guidelines are followed.
- 23. Materials What will you need? Be specific. What will your participants need? Be specific. A bullet-point list is fine… Include copies or links to all materials in your appendices.
- 24. Gathering/Creating Materials Create a plan for gathering your resources by next class. Create the questionnaire or lists that will be needed for your experiment. (Keep a copy to put in your appendices)
- 25. Procedures Detailed step-by-step of how will perform your experiment. Include reference to your use of scripts and inclusion of notification of ethical considerations.