How to write the IA Introduction

Knowing how to write the IA Introduction for IB Psychology can be difficult. This post gives a few tips to make it easier.

While there is no prescribed way to write your IA Introduction in IB Psychology. if you’re struggling to get started the following format might help. However, feel free to structure it in a way that makes sense to you.

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Remember that no matter how you present your introduction, it must contain the following (scroll down for links to more resources on how to do each of things things).

A description of the background theory or model
Explanation of the link between your investigation and the theory or model
Statement of the aim of your research
An explanation of the relevance of this aim
Null and research hypotheses
Operational definitions of the IV and DV*

*The IA rubric states that the operational definitions should be the research (aka alternative) hypotheses. However, in recent exam sessions it has been clarified that they can be operationalized in other areas of the

According to the IA rubric, you need to do these things to score top marks (6/6). From the IB Psychology Guide, pg 67.

While it’s not required, it’s still a good idea to include a brief summary of the original study you’re replicating. This is one way you can explain a link between your investigation and the theory or model.

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