IB Chemistry—IA Checklist
Personal Engagement
□ justification given for question and/or topic
□ evidence of personal input and initiative
□ topic is of suitable complexity
Exploration
Defining the problem and selecting variables
Research question and background
□ Research question includes IV and DV.
□ A focused problem or a specific research question is identified and described in enough detail
for the reader to understand the aim of the experiment. The question is well-worded.
□ The chemical system is described in sufficient detail.
□ Background is targeted rather than a general discussion of the topic.
Variables
□ The IV, DV, and all variables that are controlled in the experiment are mentioned.
□ IV and DV are quantitative.
Method
Materials/Health and Safety
□ Indicate all apparati and materials used, including the volumes of glassware, the
concentrations of solutions, and the model and manufacturer of any complex apparatus.
□ Health and safety (e.g., safe handling, disposal) are addressed in a study-specific manner.
Procedure
□ Diagram, if used, is annotated to show how variables were involved
□ Procedure presented in an organized method sufficient to permit replication of experiment.
□ Reference is provided. Changes to the procedure are described.
Developing a method for data collection
□ The IV is discussed including how it will be manipulated with level of precision.
□ Independent variable is tested at minimum 5 increments (or intervals or “levels”)
□ An adequately broad data range is considered.
□ The method for effective control or monitoring of the variables is described.
□ Minimum 3 replicates are proposed in the design. Indication given of how many completed.
□ Data collected is relevant and sufficient to fulfill the research question.
□ Describe any calculations to be completed, giving formulas where appropriate.
□ Method is described thoroughly and is clearly understandable to the reader.
Analysis
Recording raw data
□ Data is collected independently.
□ Data is primarily quantitative
□ Raw data recorded in suitable format(s)
□ Data must include qualitative observations.
Processing raw data
□ Suitable manner to process the raw data is used
□ All of the raw data has been completely processed.
□ Example calculations provided for substantial processing (ie. don’t need to demonstrate sum
or mean, but linear regression – if used, for example – should be shown.)
□ Raw data has been processed correctly (correctly using sig figs and uncertainty values).
IB Chemistry—IA Checklist
Presenting processed data
□ Suitable format in which to present the processed data is used.
□ Any graphs have appropriate scales, labelled axes with units and accurately plotted data
points with a suitable best-fit line or curve if necessary. Data can be extracted from graphs.
□ All the processing stages can be followed easily (explanations are clear when needed).
□ Uncertainties of raw data have been taken into account and that work is shown.
□ Final results have the correct number of sig figs, as determined by absolute uncertainty.
Evaluation
Making Conclusions
□ A conclusion, which is based on a reasonable interpretation of the data, is made.
□ Actual processed data used in conclusion (e.g. quote your data!)
□ Is there a clear pattern in your processed data? Different graphs are compared or trends in
graphs are made explicit.
□ A justification is given for your conclusion. Reasons for observed trends are written explicitly.
Experimental groups are compared with controls or theoretical expectations.
□ If an already known and accepted value is being measured, values have been compared with
that in a textbook or other reference, in order to assess the validity of the result.
o Percentage deviation/error is mentioned in this case.
o Uncertainty analysis must be used to explicitly conclude whether the experimental result
is equivalent to the accepted value.
□ Any literature/references used is fully referenced.
Evaluating procedures
□ The design, method and precision of the investigation have been evaluated.
□ Measurement and instrument errors (including possibility of calibration errors - when
appropriate) are analyzed to evaluate the accuracy of measurements.
□ Random error is evaluated, including any uncontrollable random variations in samples.
□ Specific sources of error are identified. Each error is explained thoroughly and clearly: How
might each have impacted the results?
Improving the investigation
□ All improvements are based on the weaknesses and limitations identified. The specific errors
mentioned are the ones corrected.
□ Modifications to the experimental technique are appropriate to correct errors mentioned.
□ All proposed modifications are realistic (they are actually variables that can be controlled).
□ All proposed modifications are clearly explained.
Communication
□ Report is logically presented (i.e., no need for teacher to re-read it).
□ Information is study-specific rather than a vague, general discussion.
□ Subject-specific conventions are followed: correct formats for tables, graphs, units,
uncertainties, etc.
IB Chemistry—IA Checklist
Formatting Tables and Figures
Table organization
□ Includes descriptive title for any table, graph, etc. that is used.
□ uses specific terms (ie. NaCl instead of salt; volume or length instead of amount or size)
□ tables not split between pages
□ tables show grid lines
□ cells contains only one value
□ align decimals
□ uncertainty in headers. Absolute uncertainties expressed to 1 sig fig.
□ Same level of precision is used for all the items of a variable
□ Units for every variable (IB units).
□ units in column headings, not in cells
Graphing
□ include simple title
□ graph is large (whole page)
□ simple scale
□ scale has appropriate range (does not have to start at zero)
□ Labels and units (IB convention)
□ intervals proportional
□ uncertainty shown (like mass (± 0.01 g))