The Chemistry IA
So each Chemistry HL or SL student is required to do the Chemistry Internal Assessment. This assessment is internally graded but is externally moderated by the IB. You can think of the IA as what you get when you combine the Extended Essay with a standard lab report.
So the method for choosing the IA topic is similar to the EE. You need to think of something chemistry related which bothers you in the world and that you want to investigate.
A good IA should include:
- Research Question - A clear, concise research question should be included
- Introduction - Summary of investigation, Research Question, Summary of results
- Background Information - What is the chemistry in what you're doing. Describe what you already know and hence what hypothesis you can make
- Data Collection - Here you show what data you initially got while doing the data
- Data processing - With the raw data you have, do the required calculations to find the final result for what you are investigating
- Conclusion - Summarise the results with required graphs and tables
- Evaluation - What real world impact does your finding have. What can we learn from your conclusion
After this, the IA is graded based on the following components
Practical (Internal) Assessment 2016 exams
This criterion assesses the extent to which the student engages with the exploration and makes it their own.
Personal engagement may be recognized in different attributes and skills. These could include addressing personal interests or showing evidence of independent thinking, creativity or initiative in the designing, implementation or presentation of the investigation.| Mark | Descriptor |
| 2 | The evidence of personal engagement with the exploration is clear with significant independent thinking, initiative or creativity. The justification given for choosing the research question and/or the topic under investigation demonstrates personal significance, interest or curiosity. There is evidence of personal input and initiative in the designing, implementation or presentation of the investigation. |
| 5-6 | The topic of the investigation is identified and a relevant and fully focused research question is clearly described. The background information provided for the investigation is entirely appropriate and relevant and enhances the understanding of the context of the investigation. The methodology of the investigation is highly appropriate to address the research question because it takes into consideration all, or nearly all, of the significant factors that may influence the relevance, reliability and sufficiency of the collected data. The report shows evidence of full awareness of the significant safety, ethical or environmental issues that are relevant to the methodology of the investigation. * This indicator should only be applied when appropriate to the investigation. |
| 5-6 | The report includes sufficient relevant quantitative and qualitative raw data that could support a detailed and valid conclusion to the research question. Appropriate and sufficient data processing is carried out with the accuracy required to enable a conclusion to the research question to be drawn that is fully consistent with the experimental data. The report shows evidence of full and appropriate consideration of the impact of measurement uncertainty on the analysis. The processed data is correctly interpreted so that a completely valid and detailed conclusion to the research question can be deduced. |
| 5-6 | A detailed conclusion is described and justified which is entirely relevant to the research question and fully supported by the data presented. A conclusion is correctly described and justified through relevant comparison to the accepted scientific context. Strengths and weaknesses of the investigation, such as limitations of the data and sources of error, are discussed and provide evidence of a clear understanding of the methodological issues involved in establishing the conclusion. The student has discussed realistic and relevant suggestions for the improvement and extension of the investigation. |
This criterion assesses the extent to which the student establishes the scientific context for the work, states a clear and focused research question and uses concepts and techniques appropriate to the Diploma Programme level. Where appropriate, this criterion also assesses awareness of safety, environmental, and ethical considerations.
This criterion assesses the extent to which the student's report provides evidence that the student has selected, recorded, processed and interpreted the data in ways that are relevant to the research question and can support a conclusion.
This criterion assesses the extent to which the student's report provides evidence of evaluation of the investigation and the results with regard to the research question and the accepted scientific context.
This criterion assesses whether the investigation is presented and reported in a way that supports effective
| 3-4 | The presentation of the investigation is clear. Any errors do not hamper understanding of the focus, process and outcomes. The report is well structured and clear: the necessary information on focus, process and outcomes is present and presented in a coherent way. The report is relevant and concise thereby facilitating a ready understanding of the focus, process and outcomes of the investigation. The use of subject specific terminology and conventions is appropriate and correct. Any errors do not hamper understanding. *For example, incorrect/missing labelling of graphs, tables, images; use of units, decimal places. For issues of referencing and citations refer to the "Academic honesty" section. |
| Criterion | marks available |
marks
|
| Personal Engagement | maximum 2 | 2 marks |
| Exploration | maximum 6 | 6 marks |
| Analysis | maximum 6 | 6 marks |
| Evaluation | maximum 6 | 6 marks |
| Communication | maximum 4 | 4 marks |
Total =
| 24 marks |
Source: http://ibchem.com/IB/ibe/criteria.htm
