Chemistry
I.A. Planning and Ideas Pages
INVESTIGATE SOME ASPECT OF CHEMISTRY RELATED TO IB
CHEMISTRY TOPIC(S)
Use the ISB Science Writing Guide. http://www2.isb.ac.th/hsscience/ ID: isbscience PW: newton
Note: A topic ideas block will be added to the IA page on Haiku for students needing help with ideas.
Note: This form is modified from an origincal created by Mr. Farrell, ISB.
DESIGN
1. Have you got idea(s)? Suggest up to 3 possible investigative questions below
1
2
3
For the investigations listed above what are the:
Independent Variable
Dependent Variable
1
2
3
2. Discuss the above ideas with your teacher and focus on one of them.
________________________
your teacher’s initials
3. Which IB Topic(s) will this IA be related to?
4. Is there sufficient background informationa and reliable theoretical information on this research
question? List some of the theoretical and background information relevant in bullet points below.
5. Choose your investigative question. Be as detailed as possible.
 write in the space below (don’t worry, you can always modify it later)
6. Write a hypothesis (a prediction, based on science, that answers the question).
Write in the form of: if the independent variable is increased/decreased then the dependent variable
will increase/decrease (linearly, proportionally).
7. Explain the hypothesis (scientifically and accurately). You can research this but don’t forget to cite
your sources.
8. Explicitly state your research question and identify your key variables;
Note: Be sure to make your Dependant and Independent variables as explicit as possible. List all
the controlled variables relevant and how they will be controlled in your investigation. You may
add to your controlled variables list as you start collecting data.
Research question:
Type
Independent
Dependent
Controlled
(fixed)
Variable
How is it measured/monitored/controlled?
9. Identify the materials and measuring equipment you will need
 Draw a diagram of the experimental setup and label all the equipment.
 Estimated quantities of materials are important (be green!)
IMPORTANT – are materials available?, can you do a “dry run” to see if your method is feasible and will
yield the results you want? Try things out (high and low manipulations), ask questions.
10. Write a draft procedure
 write in numbered steps
 begin each step with a command
 tell the reader exactly when and what to measure
 at least 5 different manipulations of independent variable (MORE is better)
 at least 3 trials for each manipulation (if suitable)
 emphasize steps important to performing a controlled experiment
AFTER the data collection
11. Clearly and accurately present all raw & processed data in table(s) and graph(s).
Remember to include any calculations e.g averages and uncertainies.
12.
What have you found out from you experiement? - Answer your research question. Discuss the
science behind the trend you found. Discuss your hypothesis. Discuss significant errors and suggest
improvements to them. Suggest some extension based on the lab.