Paper 3: Structure & Guidance (HL only) (DP IB Psychology)

The structure of Paper 3

• Paper 3 is for HL syllabus learners only

• Paper 3 tests you on the approaches to research in psychology

• Both qualitative and quantitative research methods may feature on the paper

  • A quantitative method is, for example, a lab experiment

  • A qualitative method is, for example, an interview

• The paper consists of a research scenario followed by three 

• Paper 3 is worth a total of 24 marks

• You need to read the study scenario and then answer all of the questions based on it

• You are given one hour to complete Paper 3

Paper 3 questions

Question 1

• Question 1 is broken down into three questions, for a total of 9 marks

  • Each question is worth 3 marks

• You must answer each 3 mark question 

• The three parts of Question 1 are always the same (these questions are fixed and static i.e. you can practice them in advance)

• Each Question 1 question will be as follows and will relate to the research scenario you have been given in the exam:

• Identify – you need to be able to say which method is used in the scenario and give two features of it

• Describe – you will need to give an account of how the sampling method has been used in the study scenario

• Suggest – you will have to consider another method which could be used to investigate the topic e.g. field experiment, observation, self-report, and say why you are suggesting this as a suitable method to investigate the topic in the scenario

Question 2

• Question 2 consists of one question worth 6 marks

• Question 2 will always ask you about the ethics relevant to the study scenario

• You will be asked either of the following questions (only one of these questions will appear on the exam paper):

  • Describe the ethical considerations that were applied in the study and explain if further ethical considerations can be applied 

    • The first part of the question is asking you to find evidence in the study scenario of which ethical considerations were applied and how the researcher did this

    • The second part of this question is asking you to cite any ethical considerations not covered in the scenario and apply them yourself

      • e.g. how should the researcher have considered debriefing?

  • Describe the ethical considerations in reporting the results and explain ethical considerations that could be taken into account when applying the findings of the study 

    • The first part of this question asks you to consider how ethics can be applied after the study has been conducted and the researcher is preparing to publish their findings

      • E.g. anonymity is a key issue to consider when publishing the study as the participants’ personal details should not be put into the public domain

    • The second part of the question asks you to consider how the findings could be received by the public (particularly the media) once they are published

      • E.g. If the research is socially sensitive the researcher must take pains not to confirm stereotyping, prejudice or discrimination in the way that they report their findings

Question 3

• Question 3 consists of one question worth 9 marks

• Question 3 will always ask you about one of the following issues:

  • Generalisability

  • Credibility

  • Bias

• You will be asked one of three questions, (a), (b) and (c) 

  • Only one of these questions will appear on the exam paper

(a) Discuss the possibility of generalising the findings of the study 

• Question (a) is asking you to apply generalisability dependent on whether a qualitative or quantitative study scenario is used 

  • For qualitative research the issue of transferability should be considered i.e. the extent to which the findings could be transferred to the target population and the extent to which the research can be generalised to inform an existing or new theory

  • For quantitative research sample size and demographics are important in terms of how representative they are and whether the behaviour observed in the study can be generalised to other settings (external and ecological validity)

(b) Discuss how a researcher could ensure that the results of the study are credible

• Question (b) is asking you to consider the extent to which the research process and findings can be seen to be valid

  • This question will only be used if the study scenario uses qualitative methods

  • Your response will likely cover issues such as researcher reflexivity, triangulation, comparison with previous research on the topic

(c) Discuss how the researcher in the study could avoid bias

• Question (c) is asking you to consider the various different, appropriate and relevant ways that the researcher could avoid different forms of bias from affecting the validity of the research

  • You might want to consider sample bias, social desirability bias, confirmation bias, researcher bias etc.

  • The researcher could use reflexivity, triangulation, single or double blind procedures: whatever you suggest make sure that it fits the study scenario

Guidance for Paper 3

Tips

• Make sure that you answer all the questions

• Make sure that you reference the scenario to support the points you make across all the questions

• Make sure that you adhere to the demands of the command term

  • This is very important for Paper 3 as not all of the command terms are asking you to do the same thing e.g.

    • ‘Discuss, requires you to offer a considered and balanced review that includes a range of arguments, factors or hypotheses

• Include explanation of the keywords e.g. 

  • Reflexivity involves a researcher examining their own attitudes and views to check for bias…

• Make sure you use the words from the question in your answer e.g.

  • An alternative research method which could be used in a focus group interview as…

Things to avoid:

• Don’t get confused between qualitative and quantitative methods

• Don’t forget to reference the scenario throughout

  • A generic response which does not use the scenario to support the points made will not achieve a high mark

• Remember not to spend too long on Question 1

  • This is the most straightforward question which you should be able to complete quickly so that you can spend more time on Questions 2 and 3, which are more demanding

• Don’t write about any other study that you are familiar with

  • The scenario you have been given is the only piece of research you should focus on, you will not get any credit for citing other studies