IB DP ESS – Internal Assessment – Individual Investigation Rubric
Student: _____________________________________________
Evaluator: _________________
Personal Engagement
0
1
2
The justification given for choosing the research question and/or
the topic under investigation demonstrates personal
significance, interest or curiosity.
Descriptor
none
limited/little
clear/significant
There is evidence of personal input and initiative in the
designing, implementation or presentation of the
investigation. (“Pilot work” or “Trial 0” reflections helpful.)
none
limited/little
clear/significant
Most consistent grade
Exploration
The topic of the investigation is identified and a relevant fully
focused research question is clearly described.
none
1–2
2
stated/unfocused
The background information provided for the investigation is
entirely appropriate, relevant and enhances the understanding of the
context of the investigation.
none
superficial
appropriate
entirely appropriate
The methodology of the investigation is highly appropriate to address
the research question because it takes into consideration all, or nearly
all, of the significant factors that may influence the relevance, reliability
and sufficiency of the collected data. (CV are important as well.)
none
limited
mainly appropriate
highly appropriate
The report shows evidence of awareness of the significant safety,
ethical or environmental issues relevant to the methodology of
the investigation.
none
limited
some
full
0
3–4
4
relevant/incomplete
5–6
6
relevant/complete
Descriptor
0
3–4
4
stated/focused
5–6
6 focused
stated/fully
Most consistent grade
Analysis
The report includes sufficient relevant quantitative and qualitative
raw data that could support a detailed and valid conclusion to the
research question.
none
1–2
2
insufficient
Appropriate and sufficient data processing is carried out with the
accuracy required to enable a conclusion to the research question to
be drawn that is fully consistent with the experimental data.
none
basic/insufficient
appropriate
appropriate/accurate
The report shows evidence of full and appropriate
consideration of the impact of measurement uncertainty on
the analysis.
none
little
some
full
The processed data is correctly interpreted so that a completely
valid and detailed conclusion to the research question can be
deduced.
none
incorrect/insufficient
valid/incomplete
valid/detailed
Descriptor
Most consistent grade
Items in italics are based on feedback from IB.
Evaluation
0
1–2
3–4
5–6
A detailed conclusion is described and justified which is entirely
relevant to the research question and fully supported by the data
presented.
A conclusion is correctly described and justified through relevant
comparison to the accepted scientific context.
none
2
irrelevant/unsupported
4
relevant/supported
6
justified/supported
none
superficial
some relevance
relevant/justified
Strengths and weaknesses of the investigation, such as limitations
of the data and sources of error, are discussed and provide
evidence of a clear understanding of the methodological issues
involved in establishing the conclusion. (Students should consider
their methodology, sample size, etc.)
The student has discussed realistic and relevant suggestions for the
improvement and extension of the investigation.
none
outlined/superficial
described/some
discussed/clear
none
outlined few
described some
discussed all
Descriptor
Most consistent grade
Communication
0
1–2
3–4
The report is well structured and clear: the necessary information
on focus, process and outcomes is present and presented in a
coherent way.
none
2
unclear/incoherent
4
clear/coherent
The report is relevant and concise, thereby facilitating a ready
understanding of the focus, process and outcomes of the investigation.
none
not concise/irrelevant info
concise and relevant
The use of subject-specific terminology and conventions is
appropriate and correct. Any errors do not hamper understanding.
none
many errors present
appropriate/correct
Descriptor
Most consistent grade
Overall Mark: __________
Chem/Phys Subject Report – Internal Assessment – Component Grade Boundaries
May & Nov 2016, May TZ1 & TZ2 2017, May TZ1 & TZ2 2020
Grade
Mark Range
1
0-3
2
4-6
3
7-10
4
11-13
5
14-16
6
17-19
7
20-24