Internal Assessment · Writing

Discussion

Criterion D · 6 marks · ~500 words

What is the Discussion section?

The discussion section asks you to think beyond the mechanics of your study and consider its broader significance. You must discuss the potential findings of your investigation and their real-world implications, reflect critically on how your own biases may have affected the research, and propose an additional research method that could deepen understanding of the same topic.

The section should be approximately 500 words. This is where you demonstrate higher-order thinking — moving from description to analysis and evaluation.

Required Elements

1. A discussion of potential findings and their implications for policy/practice

Discuss how the potential findings of your investigation may have wider implications for future research, policies, and/or practices. Policies may be small scale (e.g., a student health and well-being policy at your school) or larger scale (e.g., a national health campaign). Practices refers to practical applications of the findings to benefit the population of interest and others.

At the 5–6 level, findings must be described in detail and implications must be explained — not just mentioned.

2. A discussion of how researcher bias may have affected the investigation

Reflect critically on how your own background, values, and position may have influenced your research. Consider the following questions:

How has my personal history influenced the choice of topic?
How do my gender, culture, background, and relationship to my potential participants influence my position on this topic?
How might my personal values or beliefs influence my interpretation of the data and/or my conclusions?

At the 5–6 level, you must discuss (not just identify) one or more relevant examples of how researcher bias may affect the investigation — with specific examples linked to your study.

3. A discussion of one additional research method to further investigate the topic

No research method is perfect. Suggest a different research method that could be used to further investigate the same research question, and explain how it would increase understanding of the topic. The additional method must be different from the one you chose in your methodology. Discuss — not just describe — why this method would add value and what new insights it would provide.

IB Marking Scheme — Criterion D: Discussion

Marks	Level Descriptor
0	The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
1–2	Potential findings of the investigation are described but the implication(s) for policy/practice are not addressed. One or more examples of researcher bias are identified. The usefulness of one relevant additional research method is described, without reference to increasing the understanding of the area of investigation.
3–4	Potential findings of the investigation are described and the implication(s) for policy/practice are partially addressed. One or more relevant examples of researcher bias are described. The usefulness of one relevant additional research method is discussed without reference to increasing the understanding of the area of investigation.
5–6	Potential findings of the investigation are described in detail and the implication(s) for policy/practice are explained. One or more relevant examples of how researcher bias may affect the investigation are discussed. The usefulness of one relevant additional research method is discussed with reference to increasing the understanding of the area of investigation.

Tips for Scoring 5–6

Be specific about implications: Don't just say "this could help schools." Explain exactly what policy change or practice could result — e.g., "schools could implement mindfulness sessions during exam periods based on these findings."

Apply researcher bias to your study: Don't just define researcher bias. Explain how your specific background may have influenced your topic choice, design, or interpretation — with concrete examples.

Link the additional method to understanding: Explain what the additional method would reveal that your chosen method cannot — e.g., "a longitudinal study would reveal whether the effects persist over time, which a cross-sectional survey cannot show."

"Discussed" vs "described": At 5–6, all three elements must be discussed (with analysis and reasoning), not just described or identified.

Connections to IB Psychology Concepts

Change

You will consider how your research proposal could create change — addressing the needs of the population of interest, or how potential findings may have wider implications for future research, policies, and practices.

Bias

You are required to reflect on how your personal biases may have influenced your research design and interpretation, including gender, culture, personal experience, and researcher position.

Perspective

Suggesting an additional research method involves considering the topic from a different methodological perspective — recognising that each method offers a partial view.

Responsibility

Considering the policy and practice implications of your research reflects your responsibility to ensure that psychological research benefits the population of interest and society.

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