Crafting Impactful IA Introductions on Behavioral Psychology Studies

1. IB Psychology 11.08.16 Turn in: IA Proposal (Hard Copy) Take out: Notes, notes, notes Today’s Learning Objectives: I can write an impactful introduction in order to successfully preface my Internal Assessment. Today’s Agenda: More Internal Assessment! The INTRO... HW: Intro/Background due Thursday by EOC

2. Tips for writing better introductions

3. Introductions Write as complete a summary of the original study as possible – including the results. According to most ib examiners—this is a common reason many IAs receive lower marks. It sets up your entire IA.

4. Introductions Write as complete a summary of the original study as possible – including the results. It is not necessary to find the original study, but any summary that is found must include enough detail to write a good introduction. In the discussion students will be asked to compare their results to the original. If there is not a clear statement of findings in the introduction it becomes nearly impossible to earn marks for the comparison in the discussion.

5. Introductions—SL Expectations The study replicated is clearly identified and relevant details of the study are explained. The aim of the student’s study is clearly stated.

6. Introductions Outline the theory upon which the study is based.

7. Introductions Outline the theory upon which the study is based. As part of the introduction, it is important to identify and describe the theory upon which the study is based.  If students are replicating Loftus & Palmer (1974) , there should be a short discussion of schema theory and the role of post-event information.

8. Introductions Use a funnel-down approach, ending with the study to be replicated.

9. Introductions Use a funnel-down approach, ending with the study to be replicated. It needs to be absolutely explicit which study is being replicated.  The recommended format is a funnel down approach which starts with the more general information - in this case, the theory (i.e. schema) upon which it is based - and then working your way down to the study to be replicated.  This avoids any kind of confusion with regard to the study to be replicated.

10. Introductions Use a funnel-down approach, ending with the study to be replicated. Clarity is essential...It needs to be absolutely explicit which study is being replicated.

11. Introductions Use a funnel-down approach, ending with the study to be replicated. The recommended format is a funnel down approach which starts with the more general information [in the case of Loftus & Palmer (1974)], the theory (i.e. schema) upon which it is based

12. Introductions Use a funnel-down approach, ending with the study to be replicated. then working your way down to the study to be replicated--(i.e. Loftus & Palmer (1974)) This avoids any kind of confusion with regard to the study to be replicated.

13. A funnel??? Just an idea, NOT an examplar... --Schema theory has been the subject of blah, blah, blah...and it is defined by blah, blah, blabbidy-blah... --Loftus and Palmer were setting out to find what processes might be taking place when subjects x, y, and z... --The results of their work could be summarized in the following way... --Based on their work other studies have been conducted that have yielded similar results, validating the original aim: “Ta da!” --We will replicate that original experiment with the aim of determining if IV manipulation could produce a desired DV.

14. Introductions Explain why this research is relevant to the target population and worthy of study. Do you remember the “so what” from LA/SS thesis statements??? It is important that the aim is justified. Why is this important in the target population that you are studying? This helps to justify the research and also focuses on the population which is being investigated.

15. Introductions HL: Make sure that all three studies are based on the theory that is the underpinning of the study to be replicated.