Answering SAQs - Paper 2 (DP IB Psychology): Revision Note

Answering SAQs - paper 2 section A

• Section A consists of four compulsory short-answer questions (SAQs)

  • They are based on the class practicals you conducted throughout your IB Psychology course

• You will be tested on your knowledge and understanding of one research method used in your class practicals

  • Experiment

  • Observation

  • Survey/questionnaire

  • Interview

• In paper 2 Section A:

  • Questions 1 and 2 are worth 4 marks each

  • Questions 3 and 4 are worth 6 marks each

    • The total for Section A is 20 marks

Command terms

• The command terms used in Section A include:

  • Analyse (AO2)

  • Apply (AO2)

  • Comment (AO2)

  • Design (AO2)

  • Explain (AO2)

  • Interpret (AO2)

  • Predict (AO2)

  • Suggest (AO2)

  • Compare and contrast (AO3)

  • Discuss (AO3)

  • Evaluate (AO3)

  • Examine (AO3)

  • To what extent (AO3)

How to answer each of the questions

Question 1: Describe the method used in your class practical [4 marks]

• Examiners are looking for:

  • clear knowledge and understanding of the research method used in your practical

  • a concise explanation of how you implemented and ran the study, including:

    • Aim – what you were investigating (e.g., capacity of short-term memory)

    • Method – e.g., was it a lab experiment, structured interview, or survey?

    • Sample – the sampling method used to obtain the participants and relevant characteristics (size, gender, age, etc.)

Question 2: Explain how a concept is relevant to your class practical [4 marks]

• Examiners are looking for:

  • a clear explanation of how a specific concept (e.g., bias, measurement, validity, reliability) is relevant to your study

  • a justification of why this concept is significant in relation to your practical

• Example:

  • If your practical was a lab experiment, you could cite measurement as the concept and explain how your standardised procedure ensured consistency, making your findings more valid and reliable

Question 3: Compare and contrast the method you used with another method [6 marks]

• Examiners are looking for:

  • evidence that you can compare (similarities) and contrast (differences) between your practical’s method and another method (which will be specified in the question)

  • a balanced discussion of both methods

• Example:

  • You may be asked to compare and contrast your lab experiment with an observation

    • Compare: both aim to collect data systematically

    • Contrast: lab experiments use IVs and controlled settings, whereas naturalistic observations occur in real-world settings without manipulation

Question 4: Design another study using a different method [6 marks]

• Examiners are looking for:

  • a solid, workable design using a method that is different from your original class practical

  • evidence of skill in reframing the same research topic to fit the new method

• Example:

  • If your original class practical was an experiment measuring short-term memory, you could instead design a questionnaire asking participants about what they can recall in the short term and the techniques they use to aid recall