Group 3
IB Higher Level Psychology
Psychology Assessment Item 1: Paper 3 full exam
Task Description
Your IB Higher Level psychology study into Paper 3 will provide you with:
An overview of the qualitative research methods,
Skill building in analysis of stimulus; and,
Application of knowledge in response to key syllabus outcomes.
The following outcomes can be examined in the Paper 3 exam scheduled for Block Exams and/or term exams.
Possible Learning outcomes
Theory and practice in qualitative research
• Distinguish between qualitative and quantitative data.
• Explain strengths and limitations of a qualitative approach to research.
• To what extent can findings be generalized from qualitative studies?
• Discuss ethical considerations in qualitative research.
• Discuss sampling techniques appropriate to qualitative research (for example, purposive sampling, snowball
sampling).
• Explain effects of participant expectations and researcher bias in qualitative research.
• Explain the importance of credibility in qualitative research.
• Explain the effect of triangulation on the credibility/trustworthiness of qualitative research.
• Explain reflexivity in qualitative research.
Interviews
• Evaluate semi-structured, focus group and narrative interviews.
• Discuss considerations involved before, during and after an interview (for example, sampling method, data
recording, traditional versus postmodern transcription, debriefing).
• Explain how researchers use inductive content analysis (thematic analysis) on interview transcripts.
Observations
• Evaluate participant, non-participant, naturalistic, overt and covert observations.
• Discuss considerations involved in setting up and carrying out an observation (for example, audience effect,
Hawthorne effect, disclosure).
• Discuss how researchers analyse data obtained in observational research.
Case studies
• Evaluate the use of case studies in research.
• Explain how a case study could be used to investigate a problem in an organization or group (for example, a
football team, a school, a family).
• Discuss the extent to which findings can be generalized from a single case study.
Paper 3 assessment involves analysis of a stimulus (short written Qualitative research study) to support your
responses to three of the above questions. Please note that any of the questions can be asked in the exam.
IB Higher Level Psychology
Psychology Assessment Item 1: Paper 3 full exam
Task Description
Your IB Higher Level psychology study into Paper 3 will provide you with:
An overview of the qualitative research methods,
Skill building in analysis of stimulus; and,
Application of knowledge in response to key syllabus outcomes.
The following outcomes can be examined in the Paper 3 exam scheduled for Block Exams and/or term exams.
Possible Learning outcomes
Theory and practice in qualitative research
• Distinguish between qualitative and quantitative data.
• Explain strengths and limitations of a qualitative approach to research.
• To what extent can findings be generalized from qualitative studies?
• Discuss ethical considerations in qualitative research.
• Discuss sampling techniques appropriate to qualitative research (for example, purposive sampling, snowball
sampling).
• Explain effects of participant expectations and researcher bias in qualitative research.
• Explain the importance of credibility in qualitative research.
• Explain the effect of triangulation on the credibility/trustworthiness of qualitative research.
• Explain reflexivity in qualitative research.
Interviews
• Evaluate semi-structured, focus group and narrative interviews.
• Discuss considerations involved before, during and after an interview (for example, sampling method, data
recording, traditional versus postmodern transcription, debriefing).
• Explain how researchers use inductive content analysis (thematic analysis) on interview transcripts.
Observations
• Evaluate participant, non-participant, naturalistic, overt and covert observations.
• Discuss considerations involved in setting up and carrying out an observation (for example, audience effect,
Hawthorne effect, disclosure).
• Discuss how researchers analyse data obtained in observational research.
Case studies
• Evaluate the use of case studies in research.
• Explain how a case study could be used to investigate a problem in an organization or group (for example, a
football team, a school, a family).
• Discuss the extent to which findings can be generalized from a single case study.
Paper 3 assessment involves analysis of a stimulus (short written Qualitative research study) to support your
responses to three of the above questions. Please note that any of the questions can be asked in the exam.
