page number, name and student IB Candidate session number must

be included for each page.

Formal Lab Report Guide

**NOTE: A Final Score on the Lab Report ​Cannot​ Be Received for an ​IA​ Unless
a Paper Copy of the Report, ​with comments on what has changed from the time
the Draft​ is received, along with Final Copy on Turnitin.

Title:​ ​Amount of caffeine in different tea brands.

Aim (Research Question):​ ​To what extent are the health benefits associated with tea
proportional to the caffeine content in individual tea brands?

Independent Variable: ​The different tea brands I am testing.

Dependent Variable: ​The resultant caffeine content following the separation,

presented as a percentage of the total mass at the beginning.

Introduction (Personal Engagement)​:

I was highly incentivized to pursue this scientific exploration due to my own
personal experience with teas as a means of curing headaches due to their caffeine
content. The reason behind my need being a recurring issue with headaches in my
youth following multiple concussions. Therefore, together with my mother we would
test different brands of tea in order to determine which was the best in terms of
reducing the pain of headaches, as tea was one of the only things that helped with my
headache pain. Thus, years later, cured of my headaches I was incentivized to pursue
this exploration as a means of determining the actual caffeine content of many of the
teas that I used to try in order to scientifically determine which should be the best
headache cure.

Background Information (tied to Personal Engagement):

One paragraph
- Any background information about what you are investigating. This may include
published information. There should be a transition sentence from your Introduction
to Background Information such as, “The researcher thus decided to specifically
investigate blah, blah, blah’s effect on blah, blah, blah, and here is some background
information”. ​In other words, the background is directly connected to your
Introduction (but is now the focussed part of what you will research/experiment
on)​. Be sure to give an in-text citation at the end of this information you present using
MLA format.

Hypothesis:
- The hypothesis is quantitative (includes some predicted values, etc.). Within the
hypothesis a sketch graph is given.

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-The prediction is explained using scientific theory.

-Your sources are properly cited (in-text citation) using MLA format.

Controlling the Variables:

Method to manipulate the Independent Variable
- Write a step by step method to manipulate the Independent variable, including
specific details of the range or increments, all written in steps. **This can include a
statement version of the Independent Variable that was written in the Aim/RQ.** Ex.
To control the independent variable, the (insert independent variable) was
manipulated in a range from ___ to ____in five equal increments of ____. Then, add
any additional steps to manipulate the Independent Variable.

Method for Recording Results

- This is NOT the step-by-step method, but rather a brief description of how the data
will be recorded in a table (show a blank raw data table) including the units and
uncertainties of tools (+/- ____________).

Experimental Setup
- Include an annotated photo of the equipment used and/or the experimental setup.

Controlled Variables
- Written in a table
Controlled Variable Method to Control Possible Impact on the
(Actually name the Variable (Value, with Results (what’s the effect
controlled variable here). method for achieving on the results IF the
that value) variable is NOT
controlled?)
1​st​ Controlled Variable…
2​nd​ Controlled Variable…
3​rd​ Controlled Variable…
4​th​ Controlled Variable…

Materials:
(All equipment used is listed. Each equipment size is given. Amounts are given with
proper units and uncertainties).

Method for Data Collection:

(The following can be written in 1 paragraph as an intro about how the data collection
will provide sufficient relevant data, all before the actual Method of the experiment)
- A statement is given about the results table being created before the investigation
was planned (say how it was created- ex. Created as a 6x6 table in order to collect 5
increments of data over 5 trials, with the trials in the top row and the increments along
the 1​st​ column), all in order to guide the Design. (You may want to show a sample of
the empty data table).
- A statement about how the results will be presented and why (ex. The results will be
presented in a line-graph because this will best show the predicted relationship of the

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change in increments of the independent variable and the effects on the dependent
variable).
- A statement about what statistical tests will be used and why (ex. Mean average of
the trials will be used for reliability of data, Standard Deviation will be used for ….
Standard Error will be used for…, etc.- all with explanations for use).
- A statement about how the plan to collect the data will address the RQ.
- A statement about how a minimum of 5 increments will be used over a suitable
range for the independent variable.
- An explanation of how the range of the independent variable was selected.
- An explanation of how the raw data will be transformed into processed data for
comparison/plotting.
(**List the actual Method in a numbered list**)
Example:
1.) …
2.) ….
3.) ….
4.) …
5.) …
6.) …
7.) Repeat steps 1 to 6 over five trials for the increments of __, ___, ___, ___....

(In a small paragraph, state safety/environmental and ethical concerns)

Analysis

Raw Data (be sure to descriptively title all data tables)

Quantitative Data
(A table of ​just​ the raw data collected, ​not​ mean averages, standard deviation,
etc. Be sure the units of the Independent and Dependent Variables are present in the
table and are correct. Be sure the uncertainties (+/-) of the data are present and
correct. Make sure your decimal points are consistent all throughout the table and are
consistent with precision of the measuring equipment.
Qualitative Data
(In words in one paragraph, describe what you noticed with the data-
observations)

Processed Data (be sure to descriptively title all data tables/graphs/calculations)

Calculations ​(Be sure all calculations or statistical tests are appropriate to the
investigation, that the mathematics is applied correctly, that a worked example
calculation is provided, that the standard deviations included are appropriate with
proper sig. figs./decimal places, that uncertainties are adjusted to reflect any
calculations carried out (uncertainties are propagated), and that the processed data has
consistent sig. figs./decimal places consistent with the precision of the recorded data.
Dependent Variable calculations
(An example calculation is shown to determine the Dependent Variable, if needed)

Statistical Test(s) Calculations

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(An example calculation is performed here to demonstrate you understand the

statistical test(s) that you have chosen for your experiment such as Mean average,
Standard Deviation, Standard Error, etc.). Uncertainties are propagated.

Processed Data Table

(A table that does not break across pages, has a title that explains the whole
experiment, consistent sig. figs./decimal places, includes uncertainties/errors. This
data table would include only the mean averages of your trials, standard deviation and
standard error for example.)

Graph(s)
(Try to have only 1 graph of the processed data! This graph cannot break across
pages. The graph of the processed data needs to be chosen appropriately, needs to be
clear with proper shadings, needs to effectively use the space, the axes need to be
properly labeled (including metric/SI units and uncertainties of values), axes need to
be scaled appropriately, error bars need to be included, you should make a line of best
fit of the graphed data.)

Impact of Measurement Uncertainty

A small paragraph description on the impact of the measurement uncertainty.
Ex. 1 ​Recognizing impact of uncertainty in Raw Data ​The experimental data were
cited with varying precision ranging from zero to three decimal places. Also the
melting temperature was sometimes cited as a range. Where a range was given I have
chosen the midpoint and have rounded off to the nearest integer value. The data
sources were evaluated by looking at some example compounds where experimentally
determined data is available as well a prediction given.
Ex. 2 ​Recognizing impact of uncertainty in Processed Data​ From the data sources
the melting temperatures were not so well defined as boiling temperatures and were
often given as a range of temperatures.

Interpretation of Processed Data

A small paragraph description of the graph(s) and/or figures and/or calculations is
given, noting any trends and patterns, but not concluding anything!!

Conclusion​ (Be sure that you use appropriate language like “supports the hypothesis
(not ‘proves’ or is ‘incorrect’), make sure all associated qualitative data add value to
your explanations, make sure all sources are cited appropriately using MLA format).
1​st​ paragraph- Patterns and trends in data are stated, with reference to the graph/tables.
Comparisons are made, if appropriate. The extent to which your data supported or
refuted your hypothesis.
2​nd​ paragraph- Scientific explanation for the results (why your data was supported or
refuted), along with a comparison with published data and theoretical texts, if
possible. Comparisons are made of the results with data values and calculate a
percentage error between your results and a literature value. Compare the % error to

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the uncertainty. Discuss any outlier points (if there were any) as well as possible
reasons for those outlier points.
3rd paragraph- Suggestions for further investigation

Evaluation ​(One table is given. After the table, a final paragraph is needed).
Ex of Evaluation Table

Possible Error Possible Significance of Improving the

Effect the weakness or Investigation ​(State
on Data limitation​ (in how an improved
terms of the data experimental design
set) could remove or
reduce the impact of
the error in terms of
1.) Techniques used
to collect and record
the data (including
precision of the
equipment), 2.)
Design of the
investigation
(including range of
values chosen and
repeats of each
Independent
Variable data point),
3.) Realistic,
specific and
achievable
improvements
Reference to error bars (or
Standard Deviation) with
regard to variability of results
Measurement/Instrument
Errors
Systemic Error (problems
with the method)- If you had a
problem.
To consider​: Was there
sufficient data to address the
research question/Aim?
To consider​: Was the range of
the Independent Variable
appropriate?
To consider​: Identify and
explain anomalous data
points.

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To consider​: Anything else

you can think of in reference
to the quantitative data?

- Paragraph Summary of Analysis of reliability of the results.

Bibliography
-Bibliography of sources used in MLA format.