[The lab report should have a centralized title written in full, including both the dependent and

independent variables.] For example

The effect ______________________ [independent variable with unit] on
______________________________ [dependent variable(s) with unit(s)] in
________________________________ [description of the sample group with the scientific name]

Aim:
Write a brief note, in one or two sentences, mentioning the objective of the investigation including
the title.

Safety Precautions:
Record any relevant safety information.

Ethical considerations:
Write about the ethical considerations.

Research Question: [BE DETAILED AND SPECIFIC!]

For example,

Does/Whether or not/Will/Is ______________________ [independent variable with units]

_______________ [predicted effect] the __________________________________________
[dependent variable(s) with units] in _______________________________________ [description
of sample group with the scientific name]?

Background Information:
Include the rationale. Give an effective reason for choosing this topic as your individual
investigation. Write a paragraph about what you already know about the topic of the experiment.
You can use internet sources or books for gathering information. Add citation if you have referred
any. Use this info to derive your hypothesis. Footnote the web resources on the respective pages.

Hypothesis:
Make a prediction on what you expect the outcome of the experiment will be, based on the
background information. Explain why you expect this result?

Variables:
A) Independent Variable (This is the variable you change or manipulate)
1. State your independent variable (must be quantitative).
2. What are the units of measure for your independent variable?
3. What are the settings/treatments you are using for this experiment? [ should have at least 7
settings including control]
4. Why/How did you select these settings?
5. How will you obtain/measure this?

Write in a paragraph, not necessary to write in numbered points.

Source: OCC LP/Batch 2021-23/Bio IA/Guide 1

 B) Dependent Variable (This is the resulting outcome of your settings or what you measure at the
end of the experiment)
1. State your dependent variable (must be quantitative).
2. What are the units of measure for your dependent variable?
3. How will you obtain the measurements for this variable?

You may have more than one dependent variable measured. Include the above information
for each one of them.

C) Fixed/Controlled Variables- Identify a minimum of 6 (these are the factors that could impact
your results if not kept the same throughout the experiment)

1. State the fixed Variables with units.

2. Explain why it is important to keep each of the identified fixed variables the same.
3. How did you ensure that the variables were the same throughout the testing?

Alternatively, you can write all these information in the form of a Table with different columns
showing the Variables with units, why to control and how to control.

Procedure:
You should write a detailed procedure with relevant ‘Sub-headings’ – Materials, Procedure for the
preparation of solutions, Procedure for the investigation etc.

• List of necessary equipment and chemicals with number/volume/size.

• Illustration of Experiment Layout. (If necessary)
• Step by Step Method Used. (Written in third person and could be repeated by another person)
• Describe subject/sample group used, should be 3-5 samples per treatment/setting.
• Ensure that your procedure answers the following questions:
1. Explain how your fixed variables were checked to ensure that each remained constant
throughout the experiment.
2. How did you change the independent variable and ensured that it was kept constant on
your predetermined setting?
3. How will your dependent variable be measured and recorded and what units will be
used?
4. Are both your independent variable and dependent variable quantitative?
5. How many trials are you running? (Minimum of five at each predetermined independent
variable setting)
6. How were your sample group chosen?
7. What is your comparison group/control group?
The procedure should be written for all the investigations done, separately.

Raw Data Table:

Record all relevant raw data [Data you have obtained from the experiment] in an organized data table.

[Data Table Number and Title - A summary of what was done to obtain the data in the table in a line or two]

Source: OCC LP/Batch 2021-23/Bio IA/Guide 2

Data Table - Record all quantitative data, measurement or count including units, to the same number of
decimal places equal to the uncertainty of the instrument used. Minimum of 7 trials required. For e.g., if the
electronic balance measure to the 0.01g, then the uncertainty would be +/- 0.01 and all data should be
recorded to the hundredth place. Apply the relevant uncertainty formula and include the appropriate
uncertainty in the column headings along with the units.

Usually, the range of independent variable should be in the first column and the dependent variable with the
trials should be in first row.

Record all necessary qualitative data (non-numerical data) in a separate table with respective table number
and title. Descriptive data can be written as a paragraph.

Take one or two photographs while conducting the experiment. Insert a photograph with clear annotations of
each component of the picture.

Processed data table:

Calculate Mean (Use the spread sheet) of the data - SHOW SAMPLE WORK!
Standard Deviation (Use the spread sheet) of the data - SHOW SAMPLE WORK!
Other Calculations required for interpreting the data properly and to have more points to discuss under
Conclusion (Use the spread sheet) - SHOW SAMPLE WORK!
For e.g. Percentage, Percent change, Standard error, Rate etc.
Consider uncertainties. Calculate the uncertainty and error analysis.
Further analysis should be done. Should carry out 2 to 3 statistical analysis (t-test analysis, Chi-square
analysis. ANOVA etc.) along with or without the hypothesis predicted again.

Data Presentation:

Identify the best way to present your manipulated data and explain why. For e.g., line graph, pie graph, bar
chart, etc.
Give a separate table for the Graph containing only the processed data required for plotting the graph with
the number and title.
Title for Graph should have the description of what the graph is showing.
Graph

• What is the label for the x-axis? (This is the independent variable with units and uncertainty of
measure)
• What is the label for the y-axis? (This is the dependent variable with units and uncertainty of
measure)
• If graphing more than one piece of data on the graph, provide a legend or a key for the data.
• If representing data with a line graph, draw the line/curve of best fit. State the formula for the “line
of best fit and or correlation coefficient.”
• If representing data with a bar chart or line graph, add error bars with relevant description.
Consider plotting a consolidated graph for all the dependent variables together.

Source: OCC LP/Batch 2021-23/Bio IA/Guide 3

 Conclusion:
1. Restate and discuss about your hypothesis.
2. Determine whether the original hypothesis has been supported or hasn’t been supported by the data
collected through the investigation. DON’T write as ‘hypothesis has been proven’ or ‘hasn’t been
proven’.
3. Provide a maximum number of direct interpretations of processed data to support whether your
hypothesis was or was not supported.
4. See to that whether you’ve answered your RQ.
5. Discuss sufficiently about the qualitative data as well.
6. State the quantitative or qualitative relationship between your independent and dependent variable. E.g.,
strong/weak positive linear correlation, strong/weak negative linear correlation etc.
7. Discuss on the Standard deviation if calculated.
8. Compare your results to that of a similar study found through web sources. Discuss in detail about the
results of similar studies with your results. DO NOT FORGET to cite sources.
9. Elaborate your discussion based on your theoretical knowledge and try to make connection between the
course content and life applications.

Evaluation:

1. Discuss the overall ‘quality/reliability’ of results.

2. Discuss the strengths of the investigation, maybe with reference to lower standard deviation, narrow
range of data etc.
3. Identify any anomalous results, such as outliers.
4. Identify the possible reasons for such outliers, i.e., the sources of error.
5. Identify the systematic errors and the random errors.
6. Discuss and explain how each of the identified error stated above could have impacted the results.
7. Suggest realistic improvements for each identified error above, minimum of one improvement for each
error.
8. Suggestion for improvement should be a simple and reliable method, which can be carried out in the
normal lab set up.
9. Suggest a future study/investigation that could be done to enhance understanding of your research, if
possible.

Communication:
Usage of appropriate scientific terms is expected. Also, the required info in data tables, graphs, citation
of sources is expected. Clear presentation of the report is a must. Bibliography should be added at the
end of the report. Remember to number and name the tables, graphs, pictures etc.

Note: These guidelines should only be used as a reference material. You are expected to write
your IA practical investigation report following the instructions given in the IBO- Biology
Syllabus guide [2016] using your creativity and knowledge. Your final internal assessment report
is expected to be 6-12 pages long.

COMPULSORY TASK:

You must read through the Internal Assessment criteria given in the ‘Biology Subject Guide 2016,
from page no. 148 to 158, including the internal assessment rubrics.

Source: OCC LP/Batch 2021-23/Bio IA/Guide 4