This document provides guidance on key elements to include in the Method section of a research study. The Method section should identify the independent and dependent variables and how they are defined and measured. It should describe the experimental design, including treatment and control groups, and justify the design choice. Ethical guidelines and how they were followed should also be documented. The Method section should identify relevant participant characteristics and the sampling method. Finally, it should provide a clear, replicable description of study procedures and list all necessary materials in an appendix.

1. A Guide to the Method
Section: Design

2. Keys to this Section
 The independent and dependent variables are
identified and operationalized.
 The experimental design is appropriate to the aim and
its use is appropriately justified.
 There is clear identification and documentation of how
ethical guidelines were followed.

3. Example Research
Question/Study
 Does listening to music impact memory?

4. Independent and Dependent
Variable
 Independent Variable: The characteristics that is being
changed/manipulated.
 Dependent Variable: The behavior that is impacted by
the IV.
 Example: IV = Music ; DV = Memory
 Levels of Variables: The amount of different groups you
will be comparing.
 2 Levels: Music and Control
 5 Levels: Rock, Classical, Rap, Jazz, Control

5. What is Operationalization?
 Operationalization is the process of defining variables
into measurable and quantifiable items.
 IV: Music = Playing Classical Music while reading a list of
words.
 DV: Memory = The amount of words recalled from a list.

6. Your Turn…
 Identify the IV and DV from your research.
 Write them in operationalized form.

7. Groups within Research
Treatment Group
 Group that has the
IV/treatment manipulated.
 Example: Learning a list of
words while listening to
music.
 Goal: To examine how the IV
impacts behavior.
Control Group
 Group that the IV/treatment
is not tested on.
 Example: Learning a list of
words w/o music.
 Goal: to provide a
comparison/baseline.

8. Your Turn…
 Identify the treatment and control group within your
experiment.

9. Types of Design
Independent Sample Design
 Two separate groups are
tested. The control group
and the treatment group.
 Example: One groups learns
the list without listening to
music, the other learns with
music.
Repeated Measure Design
 Each participant is tested
under both the control and
test group.
 Example: The participant
learns a list in silence and is
tested then learns a list with
music and is tested.

10. Reasons for Independent Sample
Design
+Avoids Order Effect – If one trial would impact the
performance on the second trial.
+ Participants are less likely to guess the hypothesis of
the study.
+ Less likely to bore participants.
+ Same material may be used with both groups.
- Participant Variability – Differences between participant’s
ability in groups may impact results.

11. Reason for Repeated Measure
Design
+Limits Participation Variability.
+Requires fewer participants.
-May lead to Order Effect.
- Demand Characteristics: When participants guess the
aim of the study and do not act naturally because they
want to be helpful – or the opposite.

12. Your Turn…
 Identify which type of design you will use and explain
why. (Strengths and limitations)

13. Controls
 Blinds: Single or Double
 Standardized briefing/instructions
 Standardized Materials
 Environmental conditions
 Randomization
 Placebo

14. Writing a Consent Form
 As part of my IB Psychology Internal Assessment, I am
carrying out a test on…
 During this experiment, you have the following rights:
 Informed about the nature of the experiment
 Right to withdraw at any time
 Confidentiality
 Anonymity will be protected
 No harm (physical/mental)
 Debrief & access to results
 I give my consent to participate in this experiment
 Name and Date

15. Briefing Notes/Script
 This will be what you say before and during your experiment.
 Explain to your participants…
 who you are
 why you are there,
 what they will be asked to do
 what their ethical rights are.
 Include your instructions as you carry out your experiment.
 Include actions (passing out and collecting consent forms, turning on the
video).
 Include individual briefing/instructions if you will address individuals.
 Imagine that another person was going to read these instructions. They
should be able to copy your actions exactly.

16. Debriefing Notes
 Explain to your participants…
 what the aim of the research was
 what you expect to find
 how they can learn about your findings
 their right to withdraw their data
 how much you appreciate them and their teacher giving
you time in their classroom.
 You will read this after you have collected all data.

17. A Guide to the
Method Section:
Participants

18. Keys to this sections
 Relevant characteristics of the participants are
identified.
 The sample is selected using an appropriate method
and the use of this method is explained.

19. Participant Characteristics
 Number of Participants
 Average Age
 Grade
 Number from each Gender
 Other Relevant characteristics to your study (Drivers
License?)
You will collect this information when you are performing your
experiment.

20. Sampling Techniques
 Random: randomly selecting individuals from a
population…Good chance that it will be representative.
 Opportunity: Participants are used because they are
available…May not be representative of whole
population
 Systematic: Selecting certain individuals with certain
traits.

21. A Guide to the Method
Section: Procedure

22. Keys to this Section
 The procedural information is relevant, clearly
described and is easily replicable.
 Necessary materials have been included and
referenced in the appendices.
 Ethical guidelines are followed.

23. Materials
 What will you need? Be specific.
 What will your participants need? Be specific.
 A bullet-point list is fine…
 Include copies or links to all materials in your
appendices.

24. Gathering/Creating Materials
 Create a plan for gathering your resources by next
class.
 Create the questionnaire or lists that will be needed for
your experiment. (Keep a copy to put in your
appendices)

25. Procedures
 Detailed step-by-step of how will perform your
experiment.
 Include reference to your use of scripts and inclusion of
notification of ethical considerations.