Why are some high school students more successful than others? My research question is “how do personality traits impact the academic performance in secondary school students?”

Second Semester Research Essay – Psychology NO IA can be used!

Late submission will be penalised with 0 mark and fail

Description:

For your second-semester task, you will write a 1500-word research essay in Psychology. This is designed to prepare you for future research tasks, such as the IB Extended Essay, by developing your research, analytical, and critical thinking skills.

Task Details:

1. Objective:
   Choose a research question related to Psychology, investigate it in depth, and present your findings in a structured essay.
2. Requirements:
   • Word count: 1500 words minimum (excluding references).
   • Structure:
     • Introduction: Present your research question and outline the scope of your essay.
     • Main Body: Analyze and discuss your findings, integrating psychological concepts, theories, and research studies.
     • Conclusion: Summarize your findings and provide a reflective statement on the research process.
     • References: Include at least 3 academic sources in APA citation style.
   • You are encouraged to use a mix of primary and secondary sources.
3. Assessment Criteria:
   Your essay will be assessed according to MYP criteria, with adjustments for the research essay format:
   • Criterion A: Understanding and exploration of the research question.
   • Criterion B: Application of psychological concepts and theories.
   • Criterion C: Research and critical thinking.
   • Criterion D: Communication and structure.
4. Important Notes:
   • This is an independent research project.
   • Plagiarism will not be tolerated. All essays will be checked for originality.

Instructions:

1. Use the provided guidelines and APA referencing guide.
2. If you have questions or need assistance, contact me during class or via email. Preferably via Teams Message

Supporting Documents (Upload the Following):

1. A guide to formulating a research question.
2. Example of a research essay outline.

Example of a Research Essay Outline

Title:

How Does Social Media Use Affect Adolescent Mental Health?

1. Introduction:

• Brief explanation of the topic (e.g., “The rapid rise of social media usage has transformed how adolescents interact and perceive themselves”).
• Importance of the topic in Psychology.
• Present the research question: To what extent does social media use impact adolescents’ mental health, specifically focusing on self-esteem and anxiety?
• Outline the structure of the essay.

2. Background Information:

• Overview of key psychological concepts (e.g., self-esteem, anxiety, and social comparison theory). – remember you should refer use citation for every academic statement.
• Statistics or research on adolescent social media usage.

3. Main Body:

A. Positive Effects of Social Media on Adolescents:

• Opportunities for social connection and self-expression.
• Examples of studies showing positive correlations (e.g., peer support in online communities).

B. Negative Effects of Social Media on Adolescents:

• Social comparison and its impact on self-esteem.
• Case studies or experiments linking social media to anxiety.

C. Role of Moderating Factors:

• Individual differences (e.g., age, personality, time spent online).
• The role of parental involvement and education.

4. Discussion:

• Compare and contrast findings from different studies.
• Discuss limitations of the research (e.g., causation vs. correlation issues).
• Reflect on how these findings apply to real-world settings.

5. Conclusion:

• Summarize key findings.
• Restate the importance of addressing the topic.
• Provide a reflective statement (e.g., “While social media presents both challenges and opportunities, its impact depends on how it is used and moderated”).

6. References:

• Include at least 3 sources in APA format.
  Example:
  • Smith, J. (2020). Social Media and Mental Health: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Psychology, 45(2), 123-135.
  • Brown, A. (2019). “Adolescents’ Self-Esteem in the Digital Age.” Psychological Bulletin, 12(3), 234-256.
  • You can use citethisfor me website

Guide to Formulating a Research Question

1. Choose a Topic of Interest:
   Think about a topic in Psychology that intrigues you. For example:
   • Social media and mental health.
   • Effects of trauma on memory.
   • Influence of parenting styles on child development.
2. Narrow Down Your Topic:
   Focus on a specific aspect of the topic. For instance:
   • Instead of “Mental Health,” focus on “How social media affects adolescent self-esteem.”
3. Turn It Into a Question:
   Use these formats for inspiration:
   • To what extent does…
   • How does… impact…?
   • What is the role of… in…?
4. Examples:
   • To what extent does sleep deprivation affect memory retention in teenagers?
   • How does childhood trauma impact adult relationships?
   • What is the role of cultural differences in shaping emotional expression?
5. Ensure the Question is Researchable:
   • Can you find psychological theories, studies, or data to answer the question?
   • Avoid overly broad or vague questions.
6. Refine Your Question:
   • Too Broad: “How does social media affect people?”
   • Refined: “How does social media use influence adolescents’ self-esteem and anxiety levels?”
7. Check Feasibility:
   • Can it be answered in 1500 words?
   • Do you have access to enough sources or data?