Psychology · Research Proposal (IA)
IB Psychology IA Grader
Upload your Research Proposal (IA) and get criterion-by-criterion feedback against the IB assessment criteria in the official IB Psychology internal assessment (research proposal) criteria (first assessment 2027). Whether you are at Higher Level (HL) and Standard Level (SL), iBacalao shows where your draft meets the mark scheme and what to improve before formative submission. Free to start in the Mac app; sign-in is required to keep reviews and usage limits tied to your account.
IB assessment criteria — 24 marks total
Your Research Proposal (IA) is graded against 4 criteria in the official mark scheme. iBacalao scores each one and tells you exactly where to gain marks.
Introduction
A clearly stated and focused aim or research question, a real-life problem described with its impact on the population of interest explained, and the findings and key conclusions of two pieces of relevant research explained and linked to the investigation.
Research Methodology
The choice of research method (experiment, interview, observation, or survey/questionnaire) explained and justified; the procedure — sampling technique, sample characteristics, design, setting and process — explained; and relevant ethical considerations described and explicitly linked to the investigation.
Data Collection
An appropriate and effective data collection tool (e.g. questionnaire, Likert scales, observation checklist or interview schedule, with at least five items, copy in the appendix); the decisions made in creating it explained and relevant to the aim; and potential data-collection challenges (researcher bias, demand characteristics, validity…) explained and relevant to the investigation.
Discussion
Potential findings described in detail with their implications for policy and/or practice explained; a discussion of how researcher bias (personal history, values, relation to participants) may affect the investigation; and one additional research method discussed with reference to how it would increase understanding of the topic.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most frequent reasons students drop marks on each criterion.
Introduction
- Aim too broad or not focused on the population of interest
- Real-life problem stated but its impact on the population never explained
- Only one background study included, or two summarized without linking them to the proposal
- Procedural details of background studies included where only findings/conclusions are needed
Research Methodology
- Method named but the choice never justified for this aim
- Procedure missing sampling technique or sample characteristics
- Generic ethics checklist not linked to this study or population
- Vulnerable-population or sensitive-topic issues ignored where relevant
Data Collection
- Data collection tool missing from the appendix or under five items
- Tool doesn't actually measure the behaviour in the aim (operationalization gap)
- Design decisions listed but not explained or justified
- Challenges discussed generically (not tied to this tool and population)
Discussion
- Potential findings described but policy/practice implications skipped
- Researcher bias mentioned without connecting it to this investigation
- Additional method named but its added value never discussed
- Reflection on personal influence missing entirely
Common questions
How is the IB Psychology Research Proposal (IA) marked?
Your Research Proposal (IA) is marked against 4 criteria totalling 24 marks using the official IB Psychology internal assessment (research proposal) criteria (first assessment 2027): Introduction (/6), Research Methodology (/6), Data Collection (/6), Discussion (/6). Each criterion has its own mark bands, and your teacher's marks are moderated by the IBO.
What are the most common mistakes in the IB Psychology Research Proposal (IA)?
The two criteria worth the most marks are where students lose the most. On Introduction: Aim too broad or not focused on the population of interest; Real-life problem stated but its impact on the population never explained. On Research Methodology: Method named but the choice never justified for this aim; Procedure missing sampling technique or sample characteristics. The full list for every criterion is above.
Which criterion is worth the most marks in the IB Psychology Research Proposal (IA)?
The highest-weighted criterion is "Introduction" and is worth 6 marks. The top mark band for this criterion is the most detailed, so missing any element it mentions is the fastest way to lose marks.
What is the word limit for the Psychology Research Proposal (IA)?
Word and page limits for the Research Proposal (IA) are set in the official IB Psychology internal assessment (research proposal) criteria (first assessment 2027) rather than being the same across subjects, so check your subject guide for the exact figure. Going over the limit risks examiners stopping at the limit and not marking what follows.
Can I use AI to help with my Psychology IA?
The IBO allows AI for research support and feedback, but the submitted work must be entirely your own. iBacalao gives criterion-by-criterion feedback on your draft — the same kind of comment your teacher would give — without generating any text for your IA.