1 · Explanations, studies and inference
cognitive process · confounding variable
U1-Q1 · 2 marks
What can be concluded from the association alone?
Answer and reasoning
Longer sleep is associated with higher scores in this sample, without establishing causation.
U1-Q2 · 4 marks
Explain the mechanism or reasoning in this original case: Students who sleep longer score higher on a memory task. Sleep may matter, but the observation alone does not identify the causal mechanism.
Answer and reasoning
An observational sleep-memory relation might also reflect stress, prior ability or study time. An ethically approved experiment can control some factors, but its task and sample still limit generalization.
- Accurate relevant concept (1)
- Specific evidence from the case (1)
- Connected reasoning (2)
Do not invent a published study or claim the original classroom scenario is one. / Add accurate aims, procedure, findings and evaluation for the teacher's selected studies before using them as examination evidence.
2 · Culture, social learning and application
social learning · generalization
U2-Q1 · 2 marks
Which detail most directly supports a social-learning explanation?
Answer and reasoning
The learner observes both a model's strategy and the praise that follows.
U2-Q2 · 4 marks
Explain the mechanism or reasoning in this original case: A learner copies a peer who receives praise for a strategy. Observed consequences may affect imitation, but not every learner responds alike.
Answer and reasoning
In the original classroom case, identify the model, observed behaviour and praise before explaining possible imitation. To apply this to health or development, use an actual selected study and explain limits of transferring its evidence.
- Accurate relevant concept (1)
- Specific evidence from the case (1)
- Connected reasoning (2)
Do not treat national identity as a complete explanation of behaviour. / SL chooses one and HL two options from abnormal, developmental, health and human relationships; this example does not cover all options.
3 · Ethical design, data and evaluation
independent variable · dependent variable
U3-Q1 · 2 marks
Which variable is the dependent variable in this task?
Answer and reasoning
The measured recall score.
U3-Q2 · 4 marks
Explain the mechanism or reasoning in this original case: You want to test whether a harmless change in word presentation affects recall. The procedure needs ethical approval before collecting data.
Answer and reasoning
Compare two approved presentation formats using a justified allocation method. Record recall consistently and retain anonymized raw data. Describe the design before selecting suitable descriptive and inferential analysis with the teacher.
- Accurate relevant concept (1)
- Specific evidence from the case (1)
- Connected reasoning (2)
Avoid deception, sensitive topics and unsupported statistical claims. The current IA is a real supervised experimental study. / For first assessment 2027 the IA becomes a research proposal: do not relabel this experiment as the new requirement.
4 · Evaluating qualitative and quantitative research
credibility · transferability
U4-Q1 · 2 marks
What is a useful evaluation of the interview study?
Answer and reasoning
Whether recruitment and analysis support its claims about the participants' experiences.
U4-Q2 · 4 marks
Explain the mechanism or reasoning in this original case: An interview study gives detailed accounts from six volunteers. Small numbers do not alone make qualitative research worthless.
Answer and reasoning
An interview may reveal how people interpret an experience, but volunteer recruitment can shape whose perspectives appear. Compare themes with quoted evidence and reflect on the researcher's role, rather than judging credibility only by sample size.
- Accurate relevant concept (1)
- Specific evidence from the case (1)
- Connected reasoning (2)
The current HL methods paper differs from the 2027 source-based data paper. / Do not apply experimental cause-and-effect standards indiscriminately to an inquiry about lived meanings.