References: It’s very important to ensure that you cite your sources in your IA text and have a short list of references/ works cited in alphabetical order of last name of author on a separate page after your Evaluation section. Not to do so means your IA will be flagged for academic dishonesty, and this puts your whole IB Diploma at risk. The minimum is to have the original study, the site[s] used for your inferential and descriptive statistical calculations, and the reference for any video, word list, photographs used.

Your school librarian will be able to help you with referencing in an academic style. It doesn’t matter which you choose, so long as you are consistent throughout your IA report. These sites are also worth a visit if you need more assistance:

Victoria University (2013). Getting Started in APA 7th

Writing and Multi-literacy Center, California State University Library (2023). About MLA

The Open University (2022). Quick Guide to Harvard referencing (Cite Them Right)

At the very least your references page should include the original study that you have replicated, the websites that you used for your calculations, or for any videos or pictures that you used.

Appendices: These pages come after the references page, and contain your raw data, a blank example of your informed consent form (with space for parent signature if your participants are under 16), your standardised instructions (briefing), debriefing, materials and calculations (Screenshots are fine).

• Use a separate page for each Appendix
• Use a logical order: suggested is the order in which you use the materials, starting with the informed consent form, and ending with the debriefing.
• Anonymise yourselves, your school and your participants. (This should also be done throughout the IA).
• Ensure all screenshots of raw data and calculations are easily legible.

• Rush it. Many good IA reports lose marks because students forget to put the raw data or calculations in the Appendices. Re-read your IA, and every time you say ‘We did…’ or ‘We gave …’ ensure you have the materials in the Appendices.
• Substitute materials with hyperlinks or links of any kind to data sheets, etc. The marking software used by IB moderators does not allow them to follow links, so include all materials.
• Include completed informed consent forms – just one blank form is sufficient.

After this, just sit back and be proud of yourself and your group. What an achievement!

For more help with your IA, don’t forget to visit the Psychology Sorted Youtube channel.