Biology IA

Checklist:

Biology IA Checklist for HL & SL 

Section 1: Personal Engagement

Section 2: Exploration
Section 3: Analysis
Section 4: Evaluation
Section 5: Communication

Section 1: Personal Engagement (8%)

• The IA is somehow related to my own life

• Experimental design or presentation shows personal insight or
adaptation

Section 2: Exploration (25%)

Research Question

• A title is given which is descriptive yet concise

• A precise and grammatically correct question about a relationship is
asked
• Question is sufficiently detailed so it can stand alone and can be
self-explanatory
• A precise, measurable dependent variable is detailled
• A precise independent variable to be manipulated is included
• Exact locations, measurements and Genus species names are given

Variables

• Independent Variable, Dependent Variable, and Controlled Variables are

given
• Independent and dependent variables are expressed just as in the
question
• A brief description of how the independent variable is altered is
included
• A brief description of how the dependent variable is measured is
included
• Controlled variables include all significant factors with the potential
to affect the dependent variable
• A description of why each controlled variable must be kept constant is
given

Hypothesis

â–¡ A correct answer to the research question is described

â–¡ The hypothesis is supported by scientific reasoning and research
â–¡ A predicted relationship between the independent and dependent variables is
described
â–¡ The independent and dependent variables are described as in the question

Background

â–¡ The essay is organized into paragraphs and includes an introduction, body and
conclusion
â–¡ The introduction includes an observation/ story that leads to the research
question
â–¡ The hypothesis is stated as a scientifically justified answer to the research
question
â–¡ The hypothesis is justified and supported by scientific literature review
â–¡ All variables relevant to the experiment are appropriately investigated
â–¡References are used where appropriate
â–¡ At least 5 external sources with authors have been used and described
â–¡ There is no plagiarism (this leads to a zero)

Methodology: Control of the Variables

â–¡ Introduction justifies the method as a fair test of the hypothesis

â–¡ If modification of procedures are done, they are referenced
â–¡ All materials are listed with details (type, amount, size, volume,
concentration…)
â–¡ Diagrams and/or photographs clearly showing the setup of the apparatus is
included
â–¡ Diagrams and photographs are referenced using MLA
â–¡ What was done and an explanation of why is given for each step
â–¡ How the independent variable was manipulated is clearly described
â–¡ How the listed controlled variables were kept controlled in the experiment is
described
â–¡ The use and method of random sampling is described where relevant

Methodology: Data Collection

â–¡ The introduction establishes the data collected is valid for answering the
research question
â–¡ The reliability of the methodology is established with enough trials (5)
â–¡ How the dependent variable measurements are taken is precisely explained
â–¡ The size of the increments between data point and why this was acceptable is
explained
â–¡ Use of minimum 5 repeats to calculate standard deviation for error analysis is
outlined
â–¡ The sample size is at least 10 when the T-test was used
â–¡ Data collection from other students or sources is clearly explained and
referenced
 
Section 3: Analysis (25%)

Data Collection

â–¡ An introduction is given to establish what data was collected and why it is
appropriate
â–¡ Appropriate raw quantitative data is recorded in a clearly designed and drawn
table
â–¡ A descriptive title with the variables is given for the data table
â–¡ Column headings include the quantity, units and uncertainties
â–¡ Data is recorded to an appropriate degree of precision and consistency with
uncertainties
â–¡ How the uncertainties were determined for measurements is stated below the data
table
â–¡ Every data table has a paragraph describing its relevance
â–¡ Qualitative data is recorded separately in the data table

Data Analysis: Processing Data

â–¡ A short introduction and description of the data processing is included

â–¡ The relevance of the data processing’s ability to answer the research question
included
â–¡ Calculations are carried out correctly
â–¡ Calculations are included in a table of calculations
â–¡ Data table from appendix is copied and pasted and modified to include
calculations
â–¡ Sample calculations are illustrated
â–¡ Uncertainties are calculated and explained

Data Analysis: Presenting Data

â–¡ The dependent variable is appropriately graphed vs the independent variable

â–¡ Graphs include appropriate titles with a description of the variables
â–¡ Axis are labeled including units
â–¡ Error bars showing the uncertainties are included on the graph
â–¡ Uncertainty calculations are included below the graph and explained if not
included
â–¡ Maximum and minimum trend lines are drawn if appropriate
â–¡ Each graph has an accompanying paragraph correctly describing the features and
trends.
Conclusion
□ A conclusion is clearly stated, “In conclusion…”
â–¡ The conclusion arises from a correct interpretation of the data
â–¡ Important data from the analysis is outlined and trends in the data are
explained
â–¡ The degree to which the data supports the hypothesis is discussed and explained
â–¡ The variation in results is reported, depicting the conclusion’s strength.
â–¡ Scientific reasoning is employed to illustrate the validity of the relationship
â–¡ The generalisability of the conclusion is discussed
Section 4: Evaluation (25%)

Evaluation
â–¡ The apparatus’ ability to obtain relevant data is discussed
â–¡ Weaknesses in the methodology are commented on
â–¡ The data reliability is discussed
â–¡ The quantity of the data is discussed
â–¡ The precision and accuracy of the data is appreciated and described
â–¡ Outliers or irregularities in the data are discussed
â–¡ The uncertainties’ significance within the line of best ?t is determined
Suggested Improvements
â–¡ If limitations are identified as significant, improvements are proposed
â–¡ Improvements address the limitations
â–¡ Realistic improvements are given (must be possible within the context of
school)
Further Research Questions
â–¡ 2+ research questions are included with independent and dependent variables
â–¡ The research questions are extensions of the conclusion and evaluation
â–¡ An  explanation for each question is given and it’s related to its importance
and relevance
Section 5: Communication (17%)

References (formatting)
â–¡ In-text references/citations are given (MLA format)
â–¡ Works Cited List with MLA formatting is included at the end of the report
□ Sources are ordered alphabetically by author’s last name
Overall Presentation
â–¡ No spelling or grammar mistakes are present
â–¡ There are easy to read headings for every section
â–¡ Arial or Helvetica font size 12 font
Methodology
â–¡ The methodology is written in past tense with good paragraph structure

———————————————

Title page
• Title (e.g. “A study investigating…”)
• Your Research Question
IA Contents Page
1. Title and Research Question
2. Introduction
3. Background Information
4. Hypothesis
5. Variables (Independent, Dependent, Controlled and Uncontrolled)
6. Apparatus
7. Preliminary Experiment
8. Procedure
9. Risk Assessment
10. Raw data

IA Layout
• The IA Title and Research Question 
Identify a broad topic statement, ensuring that your research question is stated
and includes both the dependent and independent variables. For example, What is the
effect of X on Y as shown by… ? Your research question should include the
following, where appropriate:
• The organism (if appropriate) has a scientific name
• Units
• Time
• Location
Including the following will allow you to effectively convey clarity in your
research question, and thoroughly explain what you will be investigating.
• Introduction and Background Information: 
Introduction:
Your introduction is rooted in background information about the organism and or the
topic that you will be investigating in your IA. You should demonstrate strong
personal engagement by a statement of purpose. For instance, you would avoid using
cliche phrases such as “I have always loved..”, but rather opt for phrases that
clearly illustrate your passion with the real, outside world, or your genuine
reason for choosing the topic that you will be investigating.
Background info: 
Go on to enhance your understanding of your research question while ensuring that
your background information is:
• Relevant
• Focused
• Within context of the range of independent variables
• Within context of the dependent variables being used
• In-text cited, based on the referencing systems used in your school
(e.g. Harvard/ MLA referencing) 
• Supported by a preliminary experiment through the inclusion of a short
paragraph about how it was carried out, to show your clarity on how you would
conduct your main experiment.
While conducting a preliminary experiment shows great engagement, many students do
not do it/are not able to carry one out for various different reasons. If you have
not carried out a preliminary experiment, research and describe the following
instead :
• Range and intervals of your independent variables
• How you will be measuring your dependent variable

• Hypothesis : 
Null hypothesis : 
“The null hypothesis is a typical statistical theory which suggests that no
statistical relationship and significance exists in a set of given single observed
variables, between two sets of observed data and measured phenomena” (“Null
Hypothesis – an Overview | ScienceDirect Topics”).
For example,
“There is no statistically significant association between X and Y .”
Alternative hypothesis : 
Your alternative hypothesis is an alternative theory that is suggested with direct
polarity to the null hypothesis.
For example,
“There is a statistically significant association between X and Y.”

• Variables :
•  Independent, dependent and controlled variables are clearly stated
• Ensure to have at least 5 intervals and at least 15 repeats for each
interval
• Explain how and why you are using those variables, how certain
variables may not be controlled, and how you minimise the effects of these to suit
it to your experiment effectively
• Apparatus :
Ensure that all apparatus, chemicals and solutions are listed and / or shown in a
diagram if relevant and all apparatus used are relevant. (Not an obligatory list,
can be given in the method)
• Method :
Your method section demonstrates that you have sufficient data that has been
collected, and that you have thoroughly reflected on each method of control.
Ensure to :
• Outline method in a step by step, list-like format
• Reflect on every controlled variable in the method while explaining
• State that you have : “Repeated method ____ for verification” at the
end of every section.
• Risk assessment to ensure safety: 
Include a risk assessment of apparatus and chemicals and show awareness of:
• safety
• ethical issues – eg handling of animals
• environmental issues – eg  impact on field sites

• Analysis and evaluation : 

Analysis : 
Ensure that your analysis section includes sufficient correlated qualitative and
quantitative  observations, anomalies that have been clearly pointed out and
explained, statistical tests and graphs that explain the data collected.
The figure below is an example graph taken from a model IA, where the student has
clearly presented information in a graph.
Evaluation : 
• Conclude by making explicit reference to the research question. In
other words, your conclusion should directly answer the question : “Does the data
answer the Research Question?”
• State if your null hypothesis is accepted or rejected
• Refer to the graph and data points to clearly demonstrate your
understanding and strong conclusion
• Compare the conclusion with published data and predictions 
(A good tip here is to put your graph in and next to it put a graph from a textbook
or website. Can you either explain any differences or relate it to scientific
theory?) 
• Strengths and weaknesses of your investigation
• Further extensions that could have been carried out. 
Figure 1 : Model student IA graph 

Bibliography :
• Include all links and a bibliography page.