IB PSYCHOLOGY PAPER 3 EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS. A+ GRADE 2025/2026.
Distinguish between qualitative and quantitative data - ANS QUALITATIVE DATA:
- cannot be quantified
- based off observations
-highly descriptive
- gathered through direct interaction with participants through 1-1 or group interviews
-data consists of text (transcripts or field notes)
- open- ended and flexible to interpretation
- "rich thick" data
Strengths:
- provides rich data- in depth descriptions of individual experiences based on concepts,
meanings and explanations
-useful for investigating complex and sensitive issues (illness, sexuality, homelessness...)
- explains phenomena
- identify and evaluate factors that contribute to solving a problem
- generate new ideas and theories to explain problems
- people are studies in their own environment which increases validity
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
, Limitations:
- time consuming
- data analysis can be difficult, no clear analysis strategy
- interpretation of data may be subjective (reflexivity can help minimize this)
QUANTITATIVE DATA:
- number based
- easy to summarize and analyze
- statistical tests can be done to come to conclusions
Representational generalization - ANS - findings from qualitative research studies can be
applied to populations outside the population of the study
- qualitative research normally involves small samples that are not selected to be statistically
representative
- non- structured interview methods may be used (questions are not pre-arranged)
-this makes it difficult to generalize findings
- however it is argued that generalization is possible if evidence from other studies confirms the
findings
Inferential generalization - ANS -Findings can be applied to setting outside the setting of the
study
-also called "transferability" or "external validity"
- whether or not the findings can be transferred to another setting depends on the depth of the
description of research and phenomenon
- inferences (logical conclusions) may be made but will rest as a hypothesis until supported or
disproven by further evidence
Theoretical generalization - ANS - theoretical concepts derived from the study can be used to
develop further theories
-findings from the study may contribute to wider social theory
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS. A+ GRADE 2025/2026.
Distinguish between qualitative and quantitative data - ANS QUALITATIVE DATA:
- cannot be quantified
- based off observations
-highly descriptive
- gathered through direct interaction with participants through 1-1 or group interviews
-data consists of text (transcripts or field notes)
- open- ended and flexible to interpretation
- "rich thick" data
Strengths:
- provides rich data- in depth descriptions of individual experiences based on concepts,
meanings and explanations
-useful for investigating complex and sensitive issues (illness, sexuality, homelessness...)
- explains phenomena
- identify and evaluate factors that contribute to solving a problem
- generate new ideas and theories to explain problems
- people are studies in their own environment which increases validity
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
, Limitations:
- time consuming
- data analysis can be difficult, no clear analysis strategy
- interpretation of data may be subjective (reflexivity can help minimize this)
QUANTITATIVE DATA:
- number based
- easy to summarize and analyze
- statistical tests can be done to come to conclusions
Representational generalization - ANS - findings from qualitative research studies can be
applied to populations outside the population of the study
- qualitative research normally involves small samples that are not selected to be statistically
representative
- non- structured interview methods may be used (questions are not pre-arranged)
-this makes it difficult to generalize findings
- however it is argued that generalization is possible if evidence from other studies confirms the
findings
Inferential generalization - ANS -Findings can be applied to setting outside the setting of the
study
-also called "transferability" or "external validity"
- whether or not the findings can be transferred to another setting depends on the depth of the
description of research and phenomenon
- inferences (logical conclusions) may be made but will rest as a hypothesis until supported or
disproven by further evidence
Theoretical generalization - ANS - theoretical concepts derived from the study can be used to
develop further theories
-findings from the study may contribute to wider social theory
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
