IBDP Science Internal Investigation Proposal and Planning form
- 1. 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. 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?
- 3. 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.
- 4. 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
- 5. 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
- 6. 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)
- 7. 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)
- 8. _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ What did your qualitative data show? Uncertainty Types of uncertainty Absolute uncertainty The accuracy of the measuring instruments Random uncertainty is a measurement error caused by changes in the material used or environmental factor. These can be kept to a minimum by careful control of variables. Systematic uncertainty is an error in the equipment used or in your use of the aparatus; by calibrating equipment regularly this can be reduced. Type of uncertainty Description Estimate of degree of uncertainty Suggested improvement Absolute The use of a balance accurate to 0.1g 0.1g The use of a balance accurate to 0.01g Systematic Use of a Bunsen as a water bath 10C The use of an electronic water bath Were there any unusual anomalous readings? What were they? Were they due to random or systematic uncertainty? Why do you think these readings happened? _____________________________________________________________________
- 9. _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ What had the biggest effect on uncertainty? _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ 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
- 10. If appropriate, how does your calculated value compare with the accepted value? What is the % discrepancy? Link with research _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ Did you have enough data and were your results consistent to write a meaningful conclusion? _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ What could you investigate next, as a follow up to this practical? _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________