Data Collection
Criterion C · 6 marks · ~500 words
What is the Data Collection section?
The data collection section requires you to design an appropriate data collection tool, explain every decision you made in creating it, and discuss the potential challenges you anticipate when collecting data. This section demonstrates your ability to operationalize your variables and think critically about the practical realities of conducting research.
The section should be approximately 500 words. Your data collection tool must contain a minimum of five items and a copy must be included in the appendix.
Acceptable Data Collection Tools
Your tool must be appropriate to your research method and aim. Acceptable tools include, but are not limited to:
A set of written questions. Can include open-ended, closed, or Likert-scale items. Must contain at least 5 questions.
A rating scale measuring attitudes, opinions, or frequency. Each item asks participants to rate agreement or frequency on a numbered scale.
A structured list of behaviours to record during observation. Each item is a specific, observable behaviour.
A prepared list of questions for a structured or semi-structured interview. Must contain at least 5 questions.
Required Elements
1. One appropriate and effective data collection tool to measure behaviour
The tool must be relevant to your aim and appropriate for your chosen research method. It must contain a minimum of five items. A copy of the complete tool must be included in the appendix of your report. You are not required to provide completed materials (e.g., filled-in consent forms or standardised instructions).
2. A full explanation of the decisions made when creating the tool, linked to the aim
Explain why you created the tool the way you did. This may include:
- Selection or categorization of variables (identifying and operationalizing variables from your topic)
- Types of questions chosen and why (e.g., Likert scale vs. open-ended)
- Use of existing measures or materials (e.g., adapting a validated scale)
- How the tool measures what you intend to measure (validity)
- Links to the aim of the investigation
3. A discussion of potential challenges when collecting data
Discuss factors that could potentially affect your data collection and findings. You should show awareness of how these challenges affect the validity and reliability of your data. Potential challenges include:
IB Marking Scheme — Criterion C: Data Collection
| Marks | Level Descriptor |
|---|---|
| 0 | The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below. |
| 1–2 |
|
| 3–4 |
|
| 5–6 |
|
Tips for Scoring 5–6
Operationalize variables clearly: For example, "stress measured via a Likert scale on frequency of headaches, sleep disruption, and concentration difficulties."
Explain why each item was chosen: Don't just list your questions — explain what each one measures and why it is relevant to your aim.
Anticipate realistic challenges: Discuss response bias, fatigue, demand characteristics, and show awareness of how they affect validity. Link each challenge to your specific study.
"Explained" vs "described": At 5–6, decisions must be explained (with reasoning), not just described (stated without justification).
Connections to IB Psychology Concepts
You are directly exploring how psychologists measure behaviour and proposing your own approach. Creating materials that measure variables and considering issues that arise is central to this section.
Researcher bias and response bias are key challenges to discuss. Consider how your own position may have influenced the design of your tool.
The type of data your tool collects (correlational, experimental) determines what kind of causal claims you can make.
The quality of your data collection tool directly affects whether your findings could lead to meaningful change in policy or practice.