PLANNING EXERCISE: DESIGNING A PRACTICAL INVESTIGATION

Planning (a)
Planning (a) exercises will be given to you in the form: Investigate one factor that affects X.
X will always be the dependent variable. Usually X will not actually be a measurable variable, but will be related to one.
You need to decide what variable you will measure that represents X.
Eg Investigate one factor that affects the time it takes for a pendulum to swing.
Your Plan (a) must have the following 3 sections:

1. Research question (aspect 1)

Define the problem or research question. This is a question describing the investigation and is usually stated in one of the
following forms:
How does X affect Y?
What is the relationship between X and Y?

How does the length of a pendulum affect its period?

What is the relationship between the length of a pendulum
and its period?

2. Hypothesis (aspect 2)
The hypothesis is your prediction about the behaviour of the variables under investigation. In Physics it should be specific
and in most cases quantitative. It must be directly related to the research question.
A simple hypothesis such as The length and period of a pendulum are related would contribute zero to the
maximum 3 marks.
The length and period of a pendulum are directly related is better but will not earn full marks because it is
qualitative rather than quantitative.
A much better statement that would contribute the maximum is The period of a simple pendulum is directly
proportional to the square root of the pendulums length
Your hypothesis must have an explanation: you need to explain your reasoning (using physics theory) for your hypothesis.
In this example of the pendulum the reasoning is quite complicated (and beyond the HL syllabus) - the exercises given to
you will usually require reasoning within your ability. You will usually have the freedom to choose one, sometimes both, of
the investigated variables - consider this choice carefully so that the explanation of your hypothesis is within your ability.
Note that your hypothesis does not need to be correct (ie your investigation might prove it incorrect), however it should be
reasonable.

3. Relevant variables (aspect 3)

List the 2 variables that are investigated and the main controlled variables.
Dependent:
period
Independent:
length
Controlled:
mass of pendulum, gravitational field strength, light string

Planning (a)
Defining the problem or research
question

Formulating a hypothesis or
prediction

Selecting variables

Complete

Identifies a focused problem or

research question

Relates the hypothesis or prediction

directly to the research question and
explains it, quantitatively where
appropriate.

Selects the relevant

independent and
controlled variable(s)

Partial

States the problem or research

question, but it is unclear or
incomplete.

States the hypothesis or prediction

but does not explain it.

Selects some variables.

Li Po Chun UWC Physics Practical Programme

Printed on 11/17/2015

Not at all

Does not state the problem or

research question or repeats the
general aim provided by the teacher.

Li Po Chun UWC Physics Practical Programme

Does not state a hypothesis or

prediction.

Does not select any

variables.

Printed on 11/17/2015

PLANNING EXERCISE: DESIGNING A PRACTICAL INVESTIGATION

Planning (b)
Your Plan (b) must have the following 2 sections:

1. Apparatus (aspect 1)
List major pieces of apparatus - eg you would include a voltmeter, lamp and power supply but not the leads.
Ensure that you only use apparatus possessed by the Science Department or that which you can provide yourself.
Describe the apparatus in detail.
eg
D.C. voltmeter, 0 - 10 V
thermometer, -10 C to 110 C range, 0.2 C graduations
frequency generator, Griffin and George Power Signal Generator

2. Method (aspects 2 and 3)

Design a realistic method which collects sufficient and relevant data for the variables under investigation and controls the
other variables. Sufficient mean 6 or more sets of data. Each set should include at least 5 replicates (repeated
measurements) to allow uncertainties to be calculated - need to state this explicitly .
Your method must answer the following questions:
How is the apparatus set up?

this may be more easily shown using a good diagram (see below)

How do I control the control variables?

be sure to account for all of the control variables

How do I measure the independent and dependent variables?

How do I vary the independent variable?
What range do my data need to cover for each variable?
How many data do I need to collect within this range?

ie sufficient breadth of data

ie sufficient quantity of data, at least 8

The following suggestions will improve the quality and clarity of your plans - note that they are not required by IB but will
often help to maximize your score.
Your method will usually be most clearly understood if you write it as a series of numbered instruction steps.
eg 1.
a.
b.
2.
etc
One or more large, clearly-labelled diagrams to show the arrangement of apparatus, where measurements are made,
etc. It may be much easier to draw a good diagram than describe in words how apparatus is arranged, etc.
Your chosen method will likely be based on one or more assumptions. List these each with a brief supporting statement.

Planning (b)
Selecting appropriate
apparatus or materials
(diagrams acceptable)
Complete

Selects appropriate
apparatus or materials.

Partial

Selects some appropriate

apparatus or materials.

Not at all

Does not selecting any

apparatus or materials.

Li Po Chun UWC Physics Practical Programme

Designing a method for control

of variables

Designing a method for the collection

of sufficient relevant data

Describes a method that allows

for the control of the variables.
Describes a method that makes
some attempt to control the
variables.

Describes a method that allows for the

collection of sufficient relevant data.

Describes a method that does not

allow for the control of variables.

Describes a method that allows for the

collection of insufficient relevant data.
Describes a method that does not allow
any relevant data to be collected.

Printed on 11/17/2015