Guidance doc for completing the IBDP Science Internal Investigation

1. Candidate declaration:“Iconfirmthatthisworkis my own workand is thefinal version.I haveacknowledged each
use of the wordsorideas of anotherperson,whether written,oralor visual.”
Signed: Date:
Criteria
Personal
Engagement/2
Exploration
/6
Analysis
/6
Evaluation
/6
Communication
/4
Total
/24 %
Marks
awarded
Internal
Moderation
n.b. Marks aregiven on a best fit approach based on the levels awarded for each aspect of a given criteria.Refer to ‘the criteria
pages for ‘a more detailed breakdown
Personal Engagement
Mark Exploration Personal Significance Initiative
1 The evidence ofpersonal engagement
with the exploration is limited with
little independent thinking,initiative
or insight
The justificationgiven for choosing theresearch
question and/or thetopicunder investigation does
not demonstrate personal significance, interest or
curiosity.
There is little evidence of personal input
and initiative in the designing,
implementation orpresentation ofthe
investigation.
2 The evidence ofpersonal engagement
with the exploration is clear with
significant independent thinking,
initiative or insight.
The justificationgiven for choosing theresearch
question and/or thetopicunder investigation
demonstratespersonal significance,interest or
curiosity.
There is evidenceofpersonal input and
initiative in thedesigning, implementation
or presentationofthe investigation
Comments
Mark: /2
Exploration
Mark Research Question Background Method Safety, ethics &
environmental issues
1-2 The topic ofthe
investigation is identified
and a research question of
some relevance isstated
but it isnot focused.
The background information
provided for the investigation
is superficial or oflimited
relevance and doesnot aid the
understanding or thecontext
ofthe investigation.
The methodology ofthe investigation is
only appropriateto address theresearch
question to avery limited extent sinceit
takesinto consideration few ofthe
significant factors that may influencethe
relevance, reliability andsufficiency ofthe
collecteddata
The report shows evidenceof
limited awarenessofthe
significant safety ethical or
environmentalissues that are
relevant to themethodology
ofthe investigation.
3-4 The topic ofthe
investigation is identified
and a relevantbut not
fully focused research
question is described.
The background information
provided for the investigation
is mainly appropriateand
relevant and aidsthe
understanding ofthe context.
Of the investigation
The methodology ofthe investigation is
mainly appropriate to addressthe
research questionbut haslimitation
since it takesinto consideration only
some ofthe significant factors that may
influencethe relevance,reliability and
sufficiency ofthecollected data.
The report shows evidenceof
some awarenessofthe
significant safety, ethical or
environmentalissues thatare
relevant to themethodology
ofthe investigation.
5-6 The topic ofthe
investigation isidentified
and a relevant and fully
focused research question
is clearly. described
The background information
provided for the investigation
is entirely appropriateand
relevant and enhancesthe
understanding ofthe context
ofthe investigation.
The methodology ofthe investigation is
highly appropriate to addressthe
research questionbecause it takesinto
consideration all,or nearly all ofthe
significant factors that may influencethe
relevance, reliability andsufficiency ofthe
collecteddata
The report shows evidenceof
full awarenessofthe
significant safety ethical or
environmentalissues that are
relevant to themethodology
ofthe investigation.
Comments
Mark: /6
IBDP Internal Investigation Coversheet Name: Cand No: Date:
Lab Title: Teacher:

2. Analysis
Mark Raw Data Data Processing Impact of
uncertainty
Interpretation of
process data
1-2 The report includes insufficient
relevant raw datato support a
valid conclusion tothe
researchquestion.
Some basic dataprocessing iscarried
out but iseither too inaccurate or
too insufficient to lead toa valid
conclusion.
The report shows evidenceof
little consideration ofthe
impact ofmeasurement
uncertainty on the analysis.
The processed datais
incorrectly or insufficiently
interpreted so that the
conclusion isinvalidor very
incomplete.
3-4 The report includesrelevant
but incomplete quantitative
and qualitative raw datathat
could support asimple or
partially valid conclusion to
'the research question
Appropriate and sufficient data
processing iscarried outthat could
lead to abroadly valid conclusion
but there are significantinaccuracies
and inconsistencies in the processing.
The report shows evidenceof
some consideration ofthe
impact ofmeasurement
uncertainty on the analysis.
The processed datais
interpreted so that abroadly
valid but incompleteor
limited conclusion tothe
researchquestion canbe
deduced.
5-6 The report includessufficient
relevant quantitative and
qualitative raw datathat
could support adetailed and
valid conclusion tothe
researchquestion.
Appropriate and sufficient data
processing iscarried outwith the
accuracy required to enablea
conclusion to theresearch question
to be drawn that isfully consistent
with' the experimental data
The report shows evidenceof
full and appropriate
consideration oftheimpactof
measurement uncertainty on
the analysis
The processed data is
correctly interpretedso that a
completely valid and detailed
conclusion to theresearch
question canbe deduced.
Comments
Mark: /6
Evaluation
Mark Conclusion Scientific Context Limitations of the data & sources of
error
Suggestions for
improvements & extension
1-2 A conclusion is outlined
which isnot relevant to
the research question oris
not supported by thedata
presented.
The conclusion makes
superficial comparisonto
the acceptedscientific
context.
Strengths andweaknesses ofthe
investigation,such as limitationsof' the data
and sourcesoferror, are outlinedbut are
restricted to an account ofthepractical or
procedural/ issuefaced.
The student has outlined very
few realistic and relevant
suggestionsfor the
improvementand extension
ofthe investigation.
3-4 A conclusion is described
which isrelevant to the
research questionand
supported by the data
presented.
A conclusion is described
which makessome
relevant comparisonto
the acceptedscientific
context
Strengths andweaknesses ofthe
investigation,such as limitationsof‘the data
and sourcesoferror are describe and provide
evidence ofsome awarenessofthe
methodological/ issuesinvolved in
establishing the conclusion.
The student has described
some realistic and relevant
suggestionsfor the
improvementand extension
ofthe investigation.
5-6 A detailed conclusionis
described and justified
which isentirely relevant
to the research question
and fully supported by the
datapresented.
A conclusion is correctly
described and justified
through relevant
comparison to the
accepted scientific context
Strengths andweaknesses ofthe
investigation,such aslimitationsof‘thedata
and sourcesoferror are discussed and
provide evidenceofaclear understanding of
the methodological/ issuesinvolved in
establishing the conclusion.
The student has discussed
realistic and relevant
suggestionsfor the
improvementand extension
ofthe investigation
Comments
Mark: /6
Communication
Mark Presentation Structure Focus Terminology &
convention
1-2 The presentation ofthe
investigation isunclear,
making it difficult to
understand the focus,
process and outcomes.
The report is not well structuredand
isunclear: the necessary information
on focus, processand outcomesis
missing or ispresented in an
incoherentor disorganizedway.
The understanding ofthe focus,
process, and outcomesofthe
investigation isobscured by the
presence ofinappropriateor
irrelevant information.
There are many errorsin
the use of' subject specific
terminology and
conventions
3-4 The presentation ofthe
investigation is clear. Any
errorsdo not hamper
understanding ofthe focus,
process and outcomes.
The report is well structured ‘and
clear: the necessary information on
focus, processand outcomes‘is'
present and presented inacoherent
way.
The report isrelevant and
concise thereby facilitating a
ready understanding ofthe
focus, processand outcomesof
the investigation
The use ofsubject specific
terminology and
conventionsisappropriate
and correct. Any errorsdo
not hamper understanding.
Comments
Mark: /4

3. Please referto the headingsand guidance document and Internal AssessmentLabReport Guide for detailed
informationof what to include ineach section
Research Question
Background Information
Hypothesisand ScientificReasoning
Variables
Variable What must be
changed/measured or
controlled?
How it will be changed
measured or controlled?
Reason for
change/measurement/control
Independent
Dependent
Controlled
Confounding
(unable to
control)
X
X
Apparatus
Method- manipulationand control of variables
IncludingSafety/Ethical andenvironmental concerns
Method- choice of data processingand presentation
Data Collectionand Analysis:ProcessingData (raw includingqualitative data and processeddata tables)
Raw and Processeddata tableswith descriptionsofdata
Whatdoesa great tablelooks like?

4. Data Analysis:presentingand describingdata (graphs and descriptionoftrends)
Graphs withdescriptionso0f data
Whata great graph lookslike?
Conclusion- correctinterpretationof the dataandcorrect scientificreasoning
Evaluation- Commentuponprocedural andpersonal uncertaintiesandofferimprovements
Impact of uncertaintiesandsuggestionsforimprovements
A table like the one below canbe used
Uncertainty and type
Weakness/error
Cause ofuncertainty
Estimate of
magnitude/impact of
uncertainty with evidence
Suggestion for improvement
Validity
Reliability
Further ResearchQuestions
References
□ Parenthetical in-textreferences/citationsare giveninAPA format
□ A Works CitedListwithAPA formattingisgivenatthe endof the report
□ Sourcesare writteninalphabetical orderbyauthor’slastname
□ Each source islistedwithahangingindent