IB Psychology

Question 1

a) Identify the research method used and outline two characteristics of the method.
[3 marks]

 The method used was semi-structured interviews [1 mark]

Answers related to characteristics of the method may include two of the following
characteristics: [1 mark] per relevant point. Maximum of [2 marks]

 Interview guide with topics to explore: specific topics or themes were decided before
the interview and noted in the interview guide so that the researcher is certain that
these will be dealt with.
 Open-ended and closed questions: open ended questions allow the respondent to
elaborate. Closed questions invite brief and precise answers that must be dealt with
in the study. There is no possibility of elaboration.
 Informal and conversational in nature: the face-to-face situation and the open-ended
questions could resemble a normal conversation. Semi-structured interviews facilitate
a rapport between the interviewer and the respondent, useful in this study with a
sensitive topic like personal romantic relationships.

(b) Describe the sampling method used in the study. [3 marks]

 The sampling method used was snowball sampling [1 mark]

 Description of the sampling method may include two of the following characteristics:
[1 mark] per relevant point. Maximum of [2 marks]
 Participants are chosen because they possess characteristics salient to the research
study. In the study the characteristics sought were males in gay interracial
relationships.
 Recruited through the researcher’s own contacts and through participants’ social
networks

(c) Suggest an alternative or additional research method giving one reason for your
choice. [3 marks]

[1 mark] for naming an additional/alternative method

[2 marks] for reason with rationale

 Focus group interviews: A focus group interview with a group of couples could be used
as an alternative method to collect data before a further exploration of the topic via semi-
structured interviews.
‒ a group of people with the relevant characteristics
‒ the facilitator interacts with the participants

 A qualitative survey:
‒ questions designed to elicit the required data
 ‒ can be quantified to make comparisons
‒ larger sample size possible

Any other suitable method stated with reasons.

Question 2

Describe the ethical considerations that were applied in the study and explain if further
ethical considerations could be applied. [6 marks]

Ethical considerations applied in the study:

 Participants were given the opportunity to participate willingly during the snowball
sampling
 The researcher obtained consent to record the interviews
 The researcher was given permission by the participants to take notes as the interviews
progressed.

Any other relevant point.

[1 mark] per relevant point made with a maximum of [3 marks].

Further ethical considerations that could be applied: [1 mark] per relevant point. Maximum of
[2 marks]

 The researcher may need to consider how far the snowball sampling within participants’
social networks enabled participants to be identified as taking part in the study and consider
steps to tackle this.
 The researcher would need to take steps to reassure participants that the sensitive personal
information obtained in the study would be kept confidential.
 The researcher may need to reassure invidual members of the couples that what they say
will not be revealed to their partner.

Any other relevant point.

[1 mark] per relevant point made with a maximum of [3 marks].

Question 3

Discuss how the researcher in the study could avoid bias [9 marks]

Refer to the paper 3 markbands when awarding marks (see below).

The command term “discuss” requires candidates to offer a considered and balanced review
of how the researcher could avoid bias. Conclusions should be presented clearly and
supported by appropriate knowledge of bias in qualitative research as the study in the
stimulus material is qualitative.

How the researcher could avoid bias:

 Researcher bias is when the researcher acts differently towards participants, which may
influence or alter the participant’s behaviour. There are a number of different types of
researcher bias and these include confirmation bias, where the researcher seeks evidence to
support his research hypothesis on factors involved in forming interracial gay relationships,
and gender bias, where the researcher makes judgements about the gay male participants
based on their gender. To try and avoid bias in this study therefore, the researcher should
ensure that he is adequately trained to minimise bias in his research.

In qualitative research in particular, the researcher must also assess personal biases in relation to
the study (for example, topic, choice of participants and method) and should apply reflexivity
to control for this. The researcher in this study should therefore reflect on his involvement in
the research to determine whether he may have biased the study in some way. There are two
types of reflexivity:
Personal reflexivity involves the researcher assessing whether his personal values, beliefs,
experiences and expectations have influenced how the study has been conducted and how the
data has been interpreted.
Epistemological reflexivity relates to the knowledge gathered from a study. The researcher
should consider whether the research methods used in this study have restricted the findings
and assess whether alternative methods may have been better. As the researcher used semi-
structured interviews, he may consider on reflection that a questionnaire would have been
more useful in investigating the research question.

 Sampling bias occurs when the sample is not representative of the target population. The
researcher in this study may consider that a future study would be useful to avoid bias because
the study was restricted to a small sample of gay men in Johannesburg. Consideration of
sampling gay males in interracial relationships in other cities in Africa would be useful to help
avoid sampling bias in this research area because this study is currently restricted in how far
it is generalizable to the wider population of gay males in interracial relationships.

Marks should be awarded according to the descriptors in the mark bands. Each level of the
mark band corresponds to a range of marks to differentiate candidates' performance. A best-
fit approach is used to ascertain which particular mark to use from the possible range for each
level descriptor.

Rubric for question 3

Markband Level descriptor

0 The answer does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.

1-3 There is an attempt to answer the question, but the argument is mostly
inaccurate.
The response contains no or mostly inaccurate reference to the approaches to
research.
The response makes no direct reference to the stimulus material or relies too
heavily on quotations from the text.
4-6 The question is partially answered, and the argument is accurate but limited
in scope.
The response contains mostly accurate references to the approaches to
research.
The response makes some use of the stimulus material.
7-9 The question is answered in a focused and effective manner with an accurate
argument that addresses the main points.
The response contains accurate references to the approaches to research and
their strengths and limitations.
The response makes effective use of the stimulus material.