IBDP Science Internal Investigation Proposal and Planning form
IBDP Sciences: Internal Investigation Student Planning Framework Name:____________
1. Choosing the type of investigation
The first task is to decide upon a type of investigation that is both feasible and suits your skills. Having done
this, you must then derive a Research Question that has to be approved by your teacher.
Complete the table in relation to your strengths and weaknesses in carrying out an investigation. This
should help you decide which type of investigation your report will be
Type of
investigation
My strengths My weaknesses Notes/thoughts
Hands-on lab
Use of
database for
analysis and
modeling
Extraction
and graphical
analysis from
a database
Simulation
(interactive/
open-ended)
Hybrid
hands-on+
spreadsheet/
database
Decision on type of investigation:
I have chosen ………………………………………………………………………….type of investigation because………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
2. Planning your Internal Investigation
EXPLORATION
Aim
Research Question
How does ………………………………………..………………..……… affect …………………………………………..………..………..… ?
(independent variable) (dependent variable)
Rationale of your research/why are you interested in this topic?
The scientific context/scientific reasoning for your hypothesis
A list of resources (websites, textbook info etc.) that you have found and can be included in yourreport
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Hypothesis/What do you thinkwill happen?
Variables
All independent variables: Variable I will change …
1. _____________________________
2. _____________________________
All dependent variables: Variable I will
measure/observe
1. _____________________________
2. _____________________________
3. _____________________________
4. _____________________________
5. _____________________________
6. _____________________________
Measured variables cannot be controlled
1
2
3
Confounding variables uncontrollable, not able to
be measured but may affect the data collected
1
2
3
Safety and ethical consideration
Your investigation must comply with ethical and safety considerations
1.
2.
3.
Validity
How will the other variables be controlled?
Variable Method of control Reason for control
Apparatus
Equipment/materials/chemicals Relevant details INCLUDE PRECISION OF INSTRUMENT
Diagram of how apparatus is set up
Method- Procedure
Include details of the range and number of readings to be taken
1. ___________________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________________________
4. ___________________________________________________________________
5. ___________________________________________________________________
6. ___________________________________________________________________
7. ___________________________________________________________________
8. ___________________________________________________________________
9. ___________________________________________________________________
10. _____________________________________________________________________
Method 2: Processing data
How will you process you data and what statistical tests will do?
How will you process the raw data? Mean, SD, t test, chi squared etc?
Show all calculations clearly and how you have got your results
DATA COLLECTION AND PRESENTATION
Results/observations:qualitative or quantitative?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Results table
Include all raw data recorded, headings, units and uncertainty (See below)
Processed Data
How will you process the raw data? Mean, SD, t test, chi squared etc?
Show all calculations clearly and how you have got your results
Make sure that all tables have a FULL title and descriptions. A table to show………
All tables must include headings, units and uncertainties (+/- x)
Presentation
Your data should be presented as a graph
Graphs can include.
Line graph – 2 sets of continuous data
Scatter graph - 2 sets of continuous data
Pie Chart
Histogram
Fig 1: detailed title
Brief description od the data under the table or graph including description of error bars/SD.
If you do a line graph or histogram, your graph must include error bars, these can be either SD or range
CONCLUSION AND EVALUATION
Concluding
When the ………………………… (increased/decreased) , then the ……………………………
(independent variable) (dependent variable)
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Why did this happen? (use scientific words/equations and explanations)
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
What did you observe? What do your results show? What trends does your graph show?
Dependent variable
(Unit)
Independent variable
(Unit)
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
What had the biggest effect on uncertainty?
_____________________________________________________________________
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Evaluating apparatus
What worked well? What didn’t work well? Suggested improvements
Evaluating the method
What worked well? Limitations
What didn’t work well?
Suggested improvements
If appropriate, how does your calculated value compare with the accepted value? What is the %
discrepancy? Link with research
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
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Did you have enough data and were your results consistent to write a meaningful conclusion?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
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What could you investigate next, as a follow up to this practical?
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