Ib ess guidelines for lab design

1. IB ESS IA GURU
Lab design worksheet:
Design: ESS achievement level .....................
1. Defining the problem and selecting variables
 States a clear, focused problem or research question.
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 A hypothesis is stated
 Relevant background information is included to support the hypothesis
 If sources are consulted they are properly cited
 States the dependent (measured) variable.
 States the independent (manipulated) variable.
 States all the controlled variables. (At least 5)
2. Controlling Variables
 Selects appropriate apparatus or materials.
 Diagram showing arrangement where appropriate.
 Specifies precision and size of any measuring instruments.
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 The method is step by step and clearly explains how to set up and perform experiment.
 The method clearly explains how the independent variable will be measured (quantitative data) or
 If measurement is qualitative, it is clearly stated how this will be judged
 The values of the independent variables are explicitly stated.
 The method clearly explains how each controlled variable will be held constant (or attempted to be held constant)
3. Developing a method for collection of data
 The method allows for the collection of sufficient relevant data.
 Data collected is relevant to the research question
 Chooses an appropriate range of independent variables.
 Chooses an appropriate number of trials for each independent variable
 Chooses an appropriate sample size
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 The method clearly states what data will be collected
 The method clearly states how the data (dependent variable) will be collected.
 If necessary, the plan has shown an appreciation for the need of a trial run and repeats until consistent results are obtained.
A COUPLE OF GUIDELINES: You will need to explain how you have collected sufficient data that is relevant to your question:
Sufficient data: (See Table 1)
 At least 5 treatments for the independent variable
 At least 5 repeated measurements for each treatment

2. IB ESS IA GURU
Relevant data:
 Describe in detail how you will carry out the measurements for the dependent variable and any other variables you measure.
o Describe instrument/equipment used (See Table 2)
 Brand and size, if available
 Units
 Uncertainty
o Describe how you set up your equipment (a drawing should be included)
 If you are using a digital probe, explain how you set up the data collection in Vernier.
IB DESIGN CRITERIA DEFINING THE PROBLEM AND SELECTING VARIABLES
USE THE TABLES BELOW TO HELP YOU DESIGN YOUR LAB
TABLE 1. THE INDEPENDENT VARIABLE.
Independent variable
Measured Using...
Units
Uncertainty of measurement
Treatments
Treatment 1
Treatment 2
Treatment 3
Treatment 4
Treatment 5

3. IB ESS IA GURU
TABLE 2 THE DEPENDENT VARIABLE
Dependent variable
Measured Using...
units
uncertainty of measurement
Number of repeats (≥5)
Your research question will look something like this:
This investigation will research the effect of ____ different levels of ______________ on ________________, by _________________________________________________________________.
You will also need to include a hypothesis, with a brief explanation of the background info you use to support it.

4. IB ESS IA GURU
IB DESIGN CRITERIA CONTROLLING VARIABLES
List variables (other than you independent variable) that would also affect the dependent variable. You will use this information to describe your procedure and explain how you will make sure you have isolated the independent variable. Choose the variables most relevant to your experiment. You will come back to this table when you are evaluating your results.
TABLE 3: CONTROLLED VARIABLES
Variable
How it could affect dependent variable
How will you control it?
How will you know you controlled it?
Instrument
Units
Uncertainties

5. IB ESS IA GURU

6. IB ESS IA GURU
IB DESIGN CRITERIA DEVELOPING A METHOD FOR COLLECTING DATA
1. Make a sketch of the data table to receive all your data
2. State how you will process your data
 Mathematical processing, averages, percent differences, statistics
 Graphic processing
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