Grade 12

Chemistry IA
Journal
 Important due dates:

Section Due date

Part 6: Data Collection 5 Sept 2021
Part 7: Analysis 19 Sept 2021
Part 8: Conclusion 26 Sept 2021
Part 9: Evaluation 3 Oct 2021
Part 10: Works Cited List 3 Oct 2021
Draft IA 10 Oct 2021
Final IA 21 Nov 2021

For a more detailed guide to the section IA, click here

For examples of each section, click here

PART 6 – Data Collection

Raw Data Table:
(Prepare a data table for your quantitative data including a table title and headings, units and uncertainties
for your variables)

Qualitative Data:
(Include a description/table/photos for your qualitative data)

Notes:
(Write down any changes made to the method or any limitations in the method seen)

Checklist:
❏ The table is well organized, with specific and clear titles, headings, units, and
uncertainties
❏ Data in tables are well organized either by groups or types of data
❏ Table column headers are present and correct (IV in the first column)
❏ Data is collected for a minimum of 5 levels over a suitable range of the IV
❏ Data is collected for a minimum of 5 trials (for SD, more for correlations)
❏ Correct uncertainty reported for raw and processed data
❏ The correct and consistent number of digits throughout
❏ Data is collected to show the consistency of CV
❏ Insightful and thorough qualitative data (maps, sketches, observations, and/or photos
with annotations)
❏ All data are recorded correctly and honestly

PART 7 – Analysis
Processed data table:
(Create a processed data table to include your processed data (mean and standard deviation)
Statistical analysis:
(Help can be found here)

Calculations:
(Show the calculations (formula and one example calculation) used to process the raw data/statistical tests
done)

Justification for data processing:

(Explain why the data was processed in this way and why you selected the specific statistical test)

Graph:
(Create appropriate graph/s to present your processed data. Remember to include graph title, axis titles

(with units and uncertainties), trendline and error bars)

Checklist:
❏ Per trial calculations to determine DV, if necessary (i.e. rate or percent change)
❏ Mean and standard deviations included, where appropriate
❏ Calculations and/or significance tests appropriate to investigation are performed
❏ Justification of the data processing method and statistical test
❏ All calculations are mathematically correct
❏ Formula, Excel formula, worked example or screenshot of calculations given
❏ Statistical tests include full details including null and alternative hypotheses, DF,
critical values, and probability levels
❏ A correct and consistent number of digits throughout
❏ Appropriate choice of graph/s with variables on the appropriate axis included
❏ The graph is well organized, with a specific and clear title, labeled axis (with the unit),
and appropriately scaled axis
❏ The graph includes error bars and trendline, if appropriate
❏ SD error bars included and labeled on graphs
Interpretation of processed data:
(Identify patterns and trends in the data)
Checklist:
❏ Patterns in the data related to the RQ stated
❏ Patterns and trends in data described with reference to graphs
❏ Implications of the variation (i.e. SD) within the data discussed.
❏ Results of statistical tests analyzed
❏ Correct conclusion of significance is drawn
❏ Results compared with theoretical/known values

Impact of uncertainty:
(Discuss the impact of uncertainty on the data)

Checklist:
❏ Uncertainties justified and/or explained
❏ Discussion of the size of uncertainties compared to the data collected

PART 8 – Conclusion
Conclusion:
(Write a conclusion to the research question. Be sure to explain the extent to which the hypothesis was
supported by the data)

Research
Question

Answer to the RQ
based on results
of the experiment
 (include actual
data in
explanation)

The scientific
explanation for
results (including
citations)

Comparison of
your data to
published
data/theoretical
texts (including
citations)

Hypothesis

Does the data

support or not
support your
hypothesis?

To what extent is
the hypothesis
supported by
data?

Checklist:
❏ The conclusion refers back to the research question
❏ The conclusion given is correct and clearly supported by the interpretation of the data
❏ Key data from the analysis is given and trends in the data are discussed.
❏ The extent to which the hypothesis is supported by the data is explained (avoiding
“proves”).
❏ The level of support (strong, weak, none or inconclusive) for the
hypothesis/conclusion is identified, correct, and justified
❏ The scientific explanation for the results is described
❏ Comparison is made with published data and theoretical texts (with citations)
PART 9 – Evaluation
(Help can be found here)

Strengths and Limitations:

(Consider the strengths and limitations of the investigation)

Strength Why was it a strength?

How did it make the data precise, reliable,
valid, accurate?
 Limitation Why was it a limitation?
How did it impact the precision, reliability,
validity, accuracy of the data?

Checklist:
❏ Strengths of the investigation are considered
❏ The appropriateness of the apparatus in obtaining relevant data is commented on
❏ Limitations of the investigation are discussed
❏ Appropriately addresses data collection errors
❏ The variation in results is reported, showing the strength of the conclusion
❏ The reliability of the data is commented on
❏ The quantity of the data is commented on (both IV and DV)
❏ The precision, accuracy, and uncertainty in the data is commented on
❏ Outlier data or irregularities in the data are addressed and explained
❏ The relative impact of data collection errors and limitations on results is explained
Suggestions:
(Suggest ways to improve the limitations of your investigation)

Suggested Improvement How this would improve the

Be very specific. Make sure it is realistic investigation and the data collected
and relevant. How would it improve the precision,
reliability, validity, accuracy of the data?
Checklist:
❏ Realistic and specific improvements are proposed
❏ Improvements effectively and specifically address the limitations
❏ Improvements are given which are possible within the context of a school laboratory

Extensions:
(Suggest extensions to the investigation)

Suggested Extension Reason

Checklist:
❏ Provides possible ideas for future studies
❏ Connects the research study to possible real-world applications

PART 10 – Works Cited List

Works Cited List:
(Make an alphabetical list of all sources used in MLA format. Click here for help. Remember you also need
to include in-text citations throughout our work where appropriate)

Checklist:
❏ In-text citations are given in MLA format
❏ A Works Cited List in MLA formatting is given at the end of the report
❏ Sources are written in alphabetical order by author’s last name
❏ Citations are given for all material taken from sources
Draft IA
This is a full IA write-up (don’t be confused by the word
‘draft’).

It should be written as a lab report, but you can use the

information you have already included in your journal as
a starting point. If you need guidance on the write-up,
please see this IA presentation and these example IAs.

Once you have submitted your draft IA, I will provide

written feedback on your work which you should use to
make improvements to your IA before submitting the
final version.
Final IA

This is what gets graded and sent to the IB. Once

submitted, no changes can be made!