Ethical Guidelines by Jette Hannibal

IBO/Diploma programme psychology: Ethical guidelines for Internal Assessment

The International Baccalaureate Organisation acknowledges that individual cultures have different interpretations of how ethical issues should be resolved in relation to experimental study. Based on feedback from examiners, it is evident that a clear set of guidelines is needed for teachers and candidates when they are considering possible topics for experimental study. The following guidelines should be applied to all experimental studies. These apply to candidates preparing internal assessment for the 2003 sessions onwards.

Any experimental study that creates anxiety, stress, pain or discomfort for participants must not be permitted.
Any experimental study that involves unjustified deception, involuntary participation or invasion of privacy, including the inappropriate use of information technology (IT), e-mail and the Internet must be avoided. There may be rare occasions when such infringements cannot be avoided, in which case the approval of other experienced psychologists should be sought before proceeding.
All participants must be informed before commencing the experimental study that they have to withdraw at any time. Pressure must not be placed on any individual participant to continue with the investigation beyond this point.
Each participant must be informed of the aims and objectives of the research and must be shown the results of the research.
Experimental studies involving children need the written consent of parent(s) or guardian(s). Candidates must ensure that parents are fully informed about the implications for children who take part in such research. Where the experimental study is conducted with children in a school, the written consent of the teachers concerned must also be obtained.
Participants must be debriefed and given the right to withdraw their own personal data and responses. Anonymity for each participant must be guaranteed.
Teachers and candidates must exercise the greatest sensitivity to local and international cultures.
Candidates must avoid conduction research with any adult who is not in a fit state of mind and cannot respond freely and independently.
If any participant shows stress and/or pain at any stage of an experimental study, the investigation must finish immediately, and the participants must be allowed to withdraw.
Non-human animals must not be used for experimental study.
All data collected must be kept in a confidential and responsible manner and not divulged to any other person.
Candidates must regard it as their duty to monitor the ways in which their peers conduct research, and to encourage public re-evaluation of any research that contravenes these guidelines.
Experimental studies that are conducted online, using IT methods, are subject to the same guidelines. Any data collected online must be deleted once the research is complete. Such data must not be used for any purpose other than the conduct of the experimental study.

John Crane's IA Checklist

Name __________________________

Title of IA: _____________________________________________

Level: HL

Criterion A: Introduction (5 marks)

Ø The aim of the study is clearly stated.
Ø The introductory material is highly relevant to the hypothesis
Ø Sufficient research studies are analysed.
Ø The hypotheses are clearly stated and justified. (How does your research test this?)
Criterion B: Design (2 marks)

Ø IV and DV are accurately identified.
Ø The design is appropriate and justified.
Ø Ethical guidelines are followed.
Ø Operational definitions are provided as necessary.

Criterion C: Participants (2 marks)

Ø The characteristics of the target population are identified (number, age, gender, ESL?)
Ø The sample is selected using an appropriate method.
Ø If necessary, explain how they were allocated into groups.
Ø The method is justified.

Criterion D: Procedure (2 marks)

Ø Include materials that were used to carry out the experiment (reference appendix)
Ø Standardized directions should appear in an appendix.
Ø The procedure is relevant and clearly described.
Ø It is easily replicable.
Ø Debriefing procedure is mentioned.

Criterion E: Results (4 marks)

Ø Results are clearly stated and accurate.
Ø Raw data is presented in an appendix.
Ø Descriptive statistics are applied.
Ø The null hypothesis has been accepted or rejected
Ø Graphs are accurate and clearly presented (labelled)
Ø Text makes direct reference to the graphs as presented.
Ø Inferential statistical tests have been appropriately chosen, applied, and justified.
Ø Level of significance achieved is mentioned with reference to critical values.
Ø Calculations of inferential statistics are included in an appendix.

Criterion F: Discussion (8 marks)

Ø Comment on your results with regard to the research hypothesis.
Ø Discussion makes reference to research in the introduction.
Ø No new studies are introduced.
Ø The strengths and limitations of the study are clearly identified.
Ø The conclusion is appropriate and well balanced.
Ø Modifications and/or improvements are suggested for further research.

Criterion G: Presentation (2 marks)

Ø The report is in the correct format.
Ø Spelling and grammar is checked.
Ø The report is between 1500 and 2000 words.
Ø References are provided using standardized method.
Ø All references listed in the bibliography are cited in the paper.

You must add the following:

1. An abstract (see below)
2. A cover page (which includes your word count)
3. Page numbers
4. A Table of Contents

The abstract:

A summary of the entire investigation. About 150 words. It should begin with a one-sentence summary of your paper and then include:

ü Aim of the research
ü The Research Hypothesis
ü Type of design
ü Variables studied
ü Participants
ü Results with reference to statistical analysis
ü Conclusions
ü Mention implications of findings.