This document provides a detailed checklist of headings and guidance for students completing an internal investigation project. It outlines the essential information that should be included under headings such as the research question, background information, hypothesis, variables, apparatus, methodology, data collection and analysis, conclusion, evaluation, suggested improvements, and references. Adherence to the guidelines will help students present a well-structured written report that clearly communicates the purpose, methodology, results and conclusions of their scientific investigation.

1. IBDP Sciences Internal Investigation Headings and Guidance Checklist
Research Question
□ A descriptiveyet concisetitleis given
□ A grammatically correctquestion abouta preciserelationship isasked
□ A sufficiently detailed question to stand aloneand be self-explanatory is asked
□ A specific measurabledependent variableis included
□ A specific independent variableto be manipulated is included
□ Preciselocations,measurements and Genus species names are given
Background Information
□ The introduction includes an observation thatleads to the research question
□ Thinking,initiativeor insightfor investigatingchosen topic is given
□ Justification indicates personal interest,significanceor curiosity for chosen design &
presentation is given
□ All information is clearly supported with references
□ At least3 appropriatesources with authors have been used
□ Both Internet and printsources areincluded
□ There is no plagiarism(this will givea zero)
Hypothesisand ScientificReasoning
□ A grammatically correctanswer to the research question is given
□ The hypothesis can be supported through scientific research and reasoning
□ A preciserelationship between the independent and dependent variables is predicted
□ The independent and dependent variables arewritten exactly the same as in the
question
□ The hypothesis is given as a scientifically reasonableanswer to the research question
□ The hypothesis is clearly justified and supported through a review of scientificliterature
Variables
□ All key variables relevantto the experiment are investigated
□ Subheadings of Independent Variable,Dependent Variableand Controlled Variables are
given
□ Independent and dependent variables arewritten exactly the same as in the question
□ A very brief description of how the independent variableis modified is given
□ A very brief description of how the dependent variableis measured is given
□ Controlled variables includeall significantvariables thatcould affect the dependent
variable
□ A very brief description of why each controlled variablemustbe kept constantis given
Apparatus
□ [List all equipment used] [Includeall items,quantities,concentrations,volumes,masses
etc., for measuringequipment uncertainties]
Method- manipulationand control of variables
□ An introduction establishes themethodology as a fair test of the hypothesis
□ The modification of procedures from other sources areclearly referenced in APA format
□ All materials areclearly listed with details (type, amount, size,volume, concentration…)
□ Diagrams and/or photographs clearly showingthesetup of apparatus isincluded
□ Diagrams and photographs arereferenced usingAPA or (Drawing/Photograph by
Author)
□ What was done and an explanation of why is given for each step
□ How the independent variablewas manipulated is clearly described
□ How the listed controlled variables werekept controlled in the experiment is described
□ The use and method of random samplingis described where relevant
□ Comment on possiblehazards,environmental,ethical and social impacts of the work,
and say how they will dealtwith to minimisethe impact]
Method- choice of data processingand presentation
□ The introduction establishes thedata collected is valid for answeringthe research
question
□ The reliability of the methodology is established through sufficientrepetition
□ How the dependent variablemeasurements were taken is precisely explained
□ The number of dependent variablemeasurements and why this amount is described
□ The sizeof the increments between each data pointand why this was acceptableis
described
□ The use of at least5 repeats to calculatestandard deviation for error analysisis
explained
□ The inclusion of a samplesizeof at least10 is described when the T-test was used
□ The collection of data from any other students or sources is clearly explained and
referenced

2. Data Collectionand Analysis:ProcessingData (raw includingqualitative data
and processeddata tables)
□ A shortintroduction is given to establish whatdata was collected and why itis
appropriate
□ Appropriate rawquantitativedata is recorded in a clearly designed and drawn table
□ A descriptivetitlewith the variables isgiven for the data table
□ Column headings includethe quantity, units and uncertainties
□ Data is recorded to an appropriatedegree of precision and consistentwith uncertainties
□ How the uncertainties were determined for measurements is stated below the data
table
□ Each data tablehas a shortparagraph establishingits relevance
□ Qualitativedata is recorded in the data table or separately as appropriate
□ A shortintroduction of how the data was processed is given
□ The relevance of this data processingto answer the research question is given
□ Calculations arecarried outcorrectly and allowconstruction of an appropriategraph
□ Calculations areincluded in a tableof calculationswhen appropriate
□ Data tablefrom collection is copied and pasted and modified to includecalculations
□ Sample calculationsaredemonstrated for the reader
□ Uncertainties are calculated and explained if necessary
Data Analysis:presentingand describingdata (graphs and descriptionoftrends)
□ The dependent variableis appropriately graphed againstthe independent variable
□ Graphs includedescriptivetitles of the variables and axisarelabeled includingunits
□ Error bars showingthe uncertainties areincluded on the graph for individual data points
□ How uncertainties were determined is stated below the graph and explained if not
included
□ Maximum and minimum lines of best fit aredrawn if appropriate
□ Each graph has a paragraph discussingthe relationship(s) and trends shown – no
conclusion
Conclusion
□ An introduction is given
□ A conclusion is clearly stated “In conclusion…”
□ The conclusion given is correctand clearly supported by the interpretation of the data
□ Key data from the analysisisgiven and trends in the data are discussed
□ The extent to which the hypothesis is supported by the data is explained
□ The variation in results isreported,showing the strength of the conclusion
□ Scientific reasoningis used to show the validity of the relationship
□ How far the conclusion can begeneralized is discussed
Evaluation
Evaluation
□ The appropriateness of the apparatus in obtainingrelevantdata is commented on
□ Weaknesses in the methodology are discussed
□ The reliability of the data is commented on
□ The quantity of the data is commented on
□ The precision and accuracy of the data is commented on
□ Outlier data or irregularities in thedata are addressed
□ The significanceof uncertainties in the trend lineis determined
Suggested Improvements
□ Where limitationsaredetermined to be significant,specific improvements are proposed
□ Improvements effectively address the limitations (notjustto be more careful)
□ Improvements are given which are possiblewithin the context of a school laboratory
Further Research Questions
□ At least2 further research questions are stated with clear independent and dependent
variables
□ The research questions arean extension from the conclusion and evaluation
□ A shortexplanation for each question is given to establish its importanceand relevance
References
□ Parenthetical in-text references/citations aregiven in APA format
□ A Works Cited Listwith APA formatting is given at the end of the report
□ Sources are written in alphabetical order by author’s lastname
□ Each sourceis listed with a hangingindent
□ A minimal of 5 correctly referenced sources is included in the report.
Overall Guidance for the Internal Investigation
Overall Presentation
□ No spellingor grammar errors arepresent
□ There areclear headings for each section,with consistentformatting
□ All tables and diagrams havea title and brief description with APA referencing if
required.
□ Arial or Times New Roman font size12 font is used
Methodology
□ A well-organized methodology written in pasttense with good paragraph/numbered
structure