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Check list

GENERAL

○ The report has a maximum of 12 pages

○ All the tables and graphs are labeled, enumerated and have a good name.

○ You refer to each of the tables and graphs in some part of your text.

EXPLORATION

○ You only have one independent variable and it is measurable.

○ You only have one dependent variable and it is measurable.

○ You have ENOUGH control variables that give focus to your research question.

○ The background information really helps to reach a hypothesis

○ A clear hypothesis is stated and explained using scientific reasoning.

○ The use of materials is explained

○ There is an explanation of how to make measurements

○ The range, variation and amount of repetitions is stated and explained

ANALYSIS

○ You include ALL the raw data: the one that was measured once and all the
variations of the independent and dependent variables.

○ You show all your calculations or sample calculations for repeated procedures.

○ You propagate the uncertainties of all calculations

○ You show the calculation for the uncertainties of all straight best fit lines gradients
and y intercepts.

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Tables

○ All headings have name, units and uncertainties.

○ All values decimal places are in agreement with their uncertainty decimal places.

○ All the rows are enumerated.

○ Each table is referenced in the text.

Graphs

○ All the symbols in the graphs are differentiable if printed in grey scale.

○ Error bars are included in both axis.

○ If the error bars can’t be noticed a comment about it is in the heading of the graph.

○ Best fit lines are done for straight lines or fitting models from the background
information.

○ Equation of the best fit line and index of correlation is clearly seen in the graph.

○ Equation of the best fit line and index of correlation are commented in the text.

○ The mayor and minor gridlines for both axis in the graphs are defined to guarantee
the best possible reading of values in the graph.

○ Labels for axis name, units and uncertainty are included in both axis.

○ In straight best fit lines the uncertainty of gradient and y intercept with the min and
max gradient method is included.

○ Each graph is represented in the text.

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IA Detailled Guidelines

1. GENERAL COMMENTS

ALWAYS use the correct symbols and notation. Learn how to use super and sub-indexes
in the text (x​2​, v​x​) as well as the symbols necessary to be clear (±, Δ, θ, ρ, λ). Check
carefully the symbols! rho (ρ) ​can’t ​be replaced by p.

To include equations use the equation editor of your word processor. You can even write
the process and include a picture of the working out but ​NEVER ​write equations in text, like
P=m/V.

Don’t ​try to do equations with normal letters, like

m
p= ------. Let’s highlight this: NEVER do this. Is horrible!
V

Remember to name graphs and tables with a number AND a brief description of it content.
Each one must be referenced at least once in your text. The heading must be good enough
to give a good idea of what is presented.

Separate each idea in a different paragraph. This is very important. In general, if you have
a paragraph of more than 5 lines you are mixing ideas and that will affect your
communication criterion. Clarity in ideas is key to excel in the text, the least words you use,
the better.

Remember you have ONLY 12 pages for your report, make the best with the space you
have.

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2. EXPLORATION

This criterion has five parts: Introduction, background information, hypothesis and design.
The best possible document should blend the first three in a clear and logical structure. If
you do it in a separate way don’t do a radical differentiation of it.

Introduction

This is the first descriptor of the exploration criterion.

● Personal interest: how did you approach your experiment. This section is PART of the
personal engagement criterion. The rest of this grade is given based on the interest and
initiative you show throughout the document and thus is even more important than this
part. Extra comments will be added in each section.

● Description of the experiment: this part determines the second descriptor of your
exploration criterion. You may include how did you transform an interesting idea into a
doable experiment. This part is a GENERAL idea to get a mental image of what are you
going to do. It is marked in the following way:

− (1-2) if the question is not focused or is irrelevant. That means that you have more
than one dependent or independent variable, you don’t have control variables or
your variables are not concrete. A variable is not concrete when is not clear the units
that you will use to measure it, i.e. size can be length, area or volume. A question is
irrelevant if the answer is a yes, if the answer is evident, if is too simple or if the topic
is not related to science.

− (3-4) if it is focused but not clearly described. This means you give enough
information for a general idea about how the experiment setup and measurements
will be done.

− (5-6) if is focused, relevant and clearly described.

● Research question: Is the end of the description, showing how focused is your research.
The basic structure is: How does the INDEPENDENT VARIABLE affect the
DEPENDENT VARIABLE when CONTROL VARIABLE(S) is/are kept constant.

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Background information​​:

This is the second descriptor of the exploration criterion.

● Theory that will structure the hypothesis WITHOUT relating specifically to the
experiment. Remember to be RELEVANT. If the information included is not used to
structure your hypothesis, then it is not relevant and should not be included.

● Explain HOW the theory is related with the experiment.

● CITE the bibliography correctly (APA)

The goal of the background information is to help you write a good hypothesis with
scientific reasoning. The hypothesis is separated for the relevance it has in the conclusion.

Hypothesis:

A good hypothesis has:

● An answer to the research question SUPPORTED by the background information.

● A qualitative approach to the relationship between the variables. Qualitative is not just if
the dependent will increase or decrease as the independent increases; is a clear idea of
how will be this change, i.e. what type of line makes more sense (straight, curve with
increasing or decreasing gradient, sinusoidal,etc).

● A quantitative result. At least an expectation of how much you expect will be the range
of your results (i.e. I expect that the dependent will vary in a range between 3m to 5m).
Would be even better if you can propose one equation that relates independent and
dependent to compare this function with the best fit line of your results. In the best case
you will have a value that could be compared with the results you will obtain. In all the
cases, remind that these values come from a source, so cite them.

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Design

This part determines the two final descriptors of the exploration criterion. Notice that this
part shows your interest, initiative and creativity since you will show how you make this
experiment possible in the school particular conditions with your personal perspective, so it
will determine also your personal engagement grade.

Guarantee the research question has been stated BEFORE this part or it won’t make sense
to read about an experiment that has not been introduced.

Here you will EXPLAIN the experiment. There are four clear parts in the design. Depending
on the type of document you write in the future you will focus in some of them but in this IA
all the parts are equally important.

1. Materials: here you state the elements that you will need. You must include the size,
uncertainty and amount of elements that you will use. This part IS NOT just a list, explain
briefly WHY did you decide to use each element (were pertinent, some things are obvious
but some equipment do need a clarification), for example why a tape meter is better than
the meter ruler. (Why will you need a 500ml beaker instead than one of 50ml THIS IS AN
OBVIOUS EQUPIMENT IF YOUR VOLUME IS 400ml)

2. Variables: Here you are going to EXPLAIN HOW are you going to do the measurements
of each variable in detail. Since you already introduced the materials, don’t repeat them,
but instead show what will be the range of the measurements, how are you going to use
them to get the values that you want or to keep control the ones that must keep constant.
For example, how to use the logger: will you film the values with an ipad to have all the
values it gives or get the values each certain amount of time? In many cases the variables
are direct measurements from the experiment, making this section short, BUT if the
variable is obtained by processing two or more measurements, you must explain how are
you going to get it and how will you process the uncertainty.

3. Diagram: how the materials will be organized to make the measurements. Since you
already introduced the materials the diagram makes sense because the reader knows what
are you referring to (not all experiments need a diagram, use your criteria to determine if
your setup needs a visual representation).

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4. Procedure: in this part you EXPLAIN the process from the beginning to the end of the
data collection. Notice you already explained how to measure, now you need to explain in
what order and WHY this is the best order. You also include here the intervals between
measurements (including why you decided this intervals) and how many repetitions for
each value you are going to perform. Make sure you include how ​qualitative and
quantitative data​ is going to be collected.

Notice that since you already explained how to measure, you don’t have to repeat this part
but instead introduce the big perspective of the order of your experiment. Remember to add
a step for the needed calculations to reach the variables in the case they are not direct
measurements. Again, you already explained in detail how to do the calculations in part 3,
so is just a step to show you are aware of the necessity of do this part to have all your
values before start the data analysis.

The MINIMUM amount of variations that you may include in physics is 8, 5 for chemistry
and 3 for biology and at least 3 trials in physics, 5 in chemistry and biology. The amount of
repetitions depends in how big is your random error, the biggest the error, the more
repetitions needed.

Remember minimum means you can do more. Take into account that a designer tries to do
the maximum amount of measurements in the time given to measure, so if is evident that
you could do more repetitions and you didn’t, this means your IA lacked personal
engagement. Comment in why did you determine the range, amount of variations and
repetitions.

Once you finish give a final thought to your control variables. Is there anything that if you
change will lead to a change in your results and you didn’t take into account? If the answer
is yes… go over all of it and fix it. Until this point you have been working with the third
descriptor of the analysis criterion.

5. Safety, ethical and environmental consideration; once you finish all think if:

● Your experiment will produce any type of dangerous waste

● Your experiment may affect the principles or dignity of someone or something

● Your experiment execution can be risky in any way.

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If your answer is yes in any case, you must show that you were aware of this and did your
best to guarantee that there won’t be any problem with it. This determines the grade of the
fourth descriptor. However, if your answer is an EVIDENT no for the three points, that
means this descriptor doesn’t apply in your experiment. (For biology and chemistry this is
extremely rare so make sure you review the 3 questions)

3. ANALYSIS

This is the second criterion. However, how much detail (which is not the same as how
many words) you show in this part, is related with your personal engagement because
reflects your interest for the research.

Raw data

This part determines the grade in the first descriptor of the criterion, includes the
quantitative and qualitative data form your measurements. Most of the times the
information will be given in tables.

Quantitative data:

There are two types of quantitative data: the one that you measure once (from control
variables) and the one that you measure many times (from independent and dependent
variables). Use a table for each of these to be more clear. You must state BOTH with the
same rigor, including their values and uncertainties. Important things about tables:

● All tables must have a number and a good description, making clear what is the
information given on it. Raw data is NOT a good title; the reader may have a clear idea
of what information is going to get after reading the title.

● The number of decimal places MUST be in agreement with your uncertainty. For
example, if your uncertainty is 0.5m then your measurements must always have one
decimal place but not two; so in this order of ideas a measurement of 2 or 3.45 will be
wrong and 2.0 and 3.5 will be right.

● Tables rows must be enumerated.

● The heading of the table must include the name of the variable, the units and the
uncertainty. Neither the units or the uncertainty can be in the cell with the value.

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● If the name of the variable is too long, you can replace it with some notation (for
example, change velocity in x for v​x​), BUT you must include the explanation of this
notation in the table’s description.

● If every measurement has a different uncertainty, include an extra column for the
uncertainty in each measurement instead than put the uncertainty with the
measurement.

Qualitative data:

Here you include all the things that you noticed during the measurement process. So if you
noticed that something that you weren’t expecting or that could affect your results, include
it.

In the conclusions you shouldn’t introduce by first time this type of observations, but instead
refer to them from this section of your report.

Processed data

This section determines the final 3 descriptors of the analysis criterion. Each one is
explained separately in this text BUT you may work with the three of them at the same time
in a logical way.

1. Obtaining the results

This section includes the calculations from the raw data to get the values you are looking
(indirect measurements) for and the graphs necessary to analyse the result. Determines
the second descriptor of the criterion.

Calculations samples MUST be included but only for one of the repetitions. You must state
which of your values you are calculating (this is why enumerate the measurements is
important).

Unless extremely long (2 pages of calculations), all calculations to reach results must be
included.

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Graphs are done to have a view of the relation between different variables. The number of
graphs depends in each experiment but you ALWAYS will need a graph of the dependent
vs independent variable. If that plot is not there is your laboratory report is INCOMPLETE.

All graphs must:

● Use as much space as possible. The more complex is the plot, the bigger it should be.

● Have an enumerated name and a good description.

● If you represent a variable with a letter or symbol (for example V​x for velocity in the x
axis) you must include and make reference to it in the description.

● Error bars. If the bars can’t be noticed, you MUST include that clarification in the
heading of the graph.

● Have the axis labelled with name, units and uncertainty (when the uncertainty is the
same for all measurements).

● NEVER…. NEVER have the points joined with straight lines. Just in case… NEVER.

Include best fit lines with its equation (just for straight lines) or for fits when you have an
equation to compare from. DO NOT make fits without a theoretical reason. Add a best fit
line without an equation is useless.

If two graphs look very similar, the information must clarify why it is necessary to have each
of them.

In most of the cases once you get the graph, you have to make extra calculations to get the
final results. Finally, you calculate how far from the theoretical values you got, this is the
percentage of accuracy. DO NOT confuse it with the percentage of uncertainty that is a
measurement of the quality of your measurements and the indirect measurements.

Calculations of percentage of accuracy are included here. Every single value that you
include in the conclusions must be calculated in this section of the report and must be clear
that you know what you are doing and why is this useful.

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2. Obtaining the uncertainties of the results

This section includes getting the uncertainty of each number you get by doing calculations
or from graphs.

The most logical way to present this is by calculating the uncertainty of each result after
you calculate it. Include a sentence saying something similar to: “to calculate the
uncertainty of this value this following was done…”

There are two main ways to make an uncertainty analysis: with standard deviation and with
propagation of uncertainties.

Standard deviation is calculated when you know that the random errors will be bigger than
the uncertainty of the measurement device, for that reason you must make at least 5 trials.

Propagation of uncertainties is necessary when you are including values with uncertainties
in an equation.

Each time you use raw data to obtain a new result you must obtain the uncertainty of that
result. Remember that if your values come from a gradient or y intercept of a graph, those
values also have uncertainty.

Calculation of the percentage uncertainty in your final results is useful to include in the
conclusions. If you calculate percentage uncertainties from the raw data, you have not
make at a full consideration of uncertainty.

The percentage accuracy is NOT part of the uncertainty analysis, instead is a comparison
of how far is your result from the theoretical value.

3. Interpretation

This section determines the fourth descriptor of the criterion. It expects you to show what
you are doing as you process your data and the uncertainties.

It is graded in two ways:

− The first is related with the way you make your calculations, it must be clear why you
decided to do this and why the result will be useful.

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− The second is at the end of all the work you have done to extract from it the
important things. The idea is that you summarize the information that will be key for
your conclusion, guaranteeing the reader understands what is interesting from each
of your steps.

In this part you may:

● Make a comment about each of the graphs you did, showing why it worth to be included
in the report.

● Make a comment about the tables WHEN you consider there is a particular value that
deserves special attention.

● Summarize the results on uncertainties results or statistical processing.

● Summarize the accuracy values you obtain (when appropriate)

● In this part you may not repeat how you did it, but what you obtain. So instead of saying

“ by getting the inverse of the gradient and multiply it by the Plank’s constant and changing
units, I found that the value of K is …”

you may say

“A value for K of …. was obtained which is has a …% difference with respect of the
theoretical value”.

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4. EVALUATION

Conclusion based on results

The following is a basic structure for this part:

● Start with a small remind of what you were doing with the statement of the research
question.

● Make a short statement of the hypothesis accept or reject it and explain why based on
your results

● Connect each of your final summary points with the qualitative part of your hypothesis

● Comment how certain you are about your results based in their uncertainties.

● Conclude if your hypothesis was correct or not and with what uncertainty you can
guarantee your point.

Comparison with theoretical bibliography

Conclusion correctly compared with accepted scientific theory.

Weaknesses and strengths

You may DISCUSS about how each particular weakness or strength affects your ability to
reach the conclusion.

Each one must include:

● A clear description of the weakness or strength from a methodological approach.

● A discussion about why this is SIGNIFICANT. The best would be a quantitative (in the
worst case qualitative) measure of how good or bad is that point. For example, the ruler
uncertainty was the one that affected the most the final uncertainty of the result, since
this value is doubled in the propagation of uncertainties as can be seen in the equation
of propagation.

Remember, is not only about limitations or weaknesses, you can also discuss strengths of
your method.

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Classic sources of weaknesses:

● Not enough data points to get a clear trend of the points

● Not enough repetitions to have a precise result

● Not enough range to have a bigger view of the relation between variables

● Control variables were not as well controlled as they should be, so they affected the
results

● The control variable value wasn’t appropriate for the experiment

● A variable that should be controlled wasn’t taken into account, so it affected the results

● A step in the procedure was incorrectly defined.

Improvements or extensions

You may add an improvement for each limitation or weakness that you mentioned before.

The improvement CAN’T be to use a better measurement device: if there is a better one in
the lab, is your responsibility to change it. If it isn’t available in the lab, then it could be valid
but you must explain.

Extensions can be around:

● Change the value of a control variable

● Change the variation between following values

● Change the range

● Change the quantity of repetitions.

Attention!​​, you MUST explain why each improvement of repetition will benefit your
conclusions.

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