Here are some example answers for the first question in Paper 3 – analysing graphs.
In my previous post I explained how to explain the issue in any graph for Question 1 in Paper 3 (read more). That post has an example answer. Here are some more. Keep reading to find a simple template you can use on a practice question.
Note: The data in all my graphs is from real studies (unless otherwise stated). This means anything you remember from these studies could be used in other exam answers. The data is real, the graphs have been recreated using ChatGPT for clarity purposes (references at the bottom).
Example 1: Technology and Therapy
The Claim:Technology-based therapies can be effective in treating mental health problems.
The Graph
The Question: Explain one issue that limits the interpretation of the data in Source 1 (graph above).
The Answer
The text in red highlights the simple structure you can use for these questions. DOWNLOAD ANSWER TEMPLATE
Example 2: Culture and Therapy
The Claim:Psychological therapy works better if the therapist is from the same culture as the patient.
The Graph
The Question: Explain one issue that limits the interpretation of the data in Source 1 (graph above).
The Answer
Understanding correlation coefficients and p-values are valuable weapons in your arsenal for Paper 3.
Example 3: Motivation and Learning
The Claim:Intrinsic motivation has a bigger influence on learning than extrinsic motivation.
The Graph
The Question: Explain one issue that limits the interpretation of the data in Source 1 (graph above).
The Answer
The Answer (v2.0)
Here’s one that breaks the mould – it’s not necessarily showing anything’s missing. This shows there’s more than one way to answer these questions. You can go into the exam looking for something missing that you can explain, but keep an open mind. Maybe there’s another issue that you can explain instead.
The biggest mistake students will make in this exam is writing about more than one issue. The examiners have clear instructions – mark only one issue. Do not waste your time writing more. I recommend taking your time planning to find 2 or 3 issues and choose the best one to explain.
The Template
REFERENCES
Histogram: Kajitani, K., Higashijima, I., Kaneko, K., Matsushita, T., Fukumori, H., & Kim, D. (2020). Short-term effect of a smartphone application on the mental health of university students: A pilot study using a user-centered design self-monitoring application for mental health. PloS one, 15(9), e0239592. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0239592 (Link)
Scatterplot: Li, Y., & Bates, T. C. (2020). Testing the association of growth mindset and grades across a challenging transition: Is growth mindset associated with grades? Intelligence, 81, 101471. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intell.2020.101471 (Link)
Bar graph: Presnell, A., Harris, G., & Scogin, F. (2012). Therapist and client race/ethnicity match: an examination of treatment outcome and process with rural older adults in the deep south. Psychotherapy research : journal of the Society for Psychotherapy Research, 22(4), 458–463. https://doi.org/10.1080/10503307.2012.673022 (Link)
Travis Dixon has been teaching for over 20 years and is an experienced IB Psychology, History and English teacher, author, workshop leader and examiner