Biology 3 Higher Level Internal Assessment Lab Format

IB BIOLOGY INTERNAL ASSESSMENT

LAB LOGISTICS:

 Lab must be typed  Cover page must include lab title, prompt, your name, date, period  Double space text portion of lab, with 1 inch margins (data tables need not be double spaced)  Include headings from IA Lab checklist  The spelling, grammar, and flow of the writing must be understandable. When you write a lab report, you will have already performed the investigation. Please use the past tense throughout the paper.  DO NOT add hand written notes to your typed lab, it will not be accepted.  Submit your lab to www.turnitin.com by the due date. o The format you submit will be the one that is graded. Make sure the paper looks the way you want it to before completing your submission.

MANIPULATIVE SKILLS Laboratory skills are assessed over the course of the entire IB Biology course. Your teacher will be watching to see if you:  Follow directions carefully  Do not fabricate data  Seek assistance when appropriate (independence is encouraged)  Consistently carry out proper safety measures  Effectively use a variety of biological techniques  Properly use experimental equipment  Safely dispose and reduce waste  Work in the lab in a way that does not put yourself or others in harm’s way  Follow the IBO animal experimentation policy

Manipulative Skills Complete (2) Partial (1) Not at all (0) Follows instructions accurately, adapting to Rarely follows instructions Aspect 1: Following Follows instructions but new circumstances or requires constant Instructions requires assistance. (seeking assistance when supervision. required). Competent and Usually competent and Rarely competent and Aspect 2: Carrying out methodical in the use of a methodical in the use of a methodical in the use of a techniques range of techniques and range of techniques and range of techniques and equipment. equipment. equipment. Pays attention to safety Usually pays attention to Rarely pays attention to Aspect 3: Working safely issues. safety issues. safety issues.

IA LAB CHECKLIST The following is the checklist of requirements for Internal Assessment labs divided into 3 catagories: Design, Data Collection and Processing (DCP) and Conclusion and Evaluation (C/E). Also included are the relevant rubric sections.

Bold text = required for a 1 on the rubric Normal text = required (if applicable) for a 2 on the rubric Title of the lab should be clear, relevant and professional Problem Question – IA Lab ___ Contains both the manipulated (MV) and responding (RV) variables Checklis ___ Must be focused and not ambiguous in any way, so that only one experiment can come from it. t: ___ Living organism identified by Genus species (in italics) or common name DESIG N Hypothesis – ___ State predicted effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable, usually in an “If MV, then RV.” statement ___ Justified in a scientific way why the hypothesis is believed to be correct by discussing the scientific principles at work and organisms/substances used in this investigation ___ Background information is relevant and paragraph(s) are constructed in a way that efficiently communicates the biology under investigation. ___ Minimum 2 academic sources cited in a bibliography with correct format on a work cited page or as footnotes Variables – ___ Chart or list identifying: ___ A single Manipulated Variable and precisely how it will be varied. Clearly identify the experimental groups and control group (with units), and give a reasoning for how the range of the MV was chosen ___ A single Responding Variable and precisely how it will be measured ___ All Controlled Variables (at least 3), how they might impact the data if uncontrolled, and explain how each will be controlled (If a variable can’t be controlled how will it be measured?) Design: Aspect 1 Complete (2) Partial (1) Not at all (0) Formulates a problem/research Does not identify a Formulates a focused Defining the problem and selecting question that is incomplete or problem/research question and problem/research question and variables identifies only some relevant does not identify any relevant identifies the relevant variables. variables. variables. Materials – ___ List all necessary equipment, supplies, etc. ___ Include concentrations for any chemicals ___ Use only metric measurements Lab Setup Diagram ___ Annotated drawing or photograph showing the setup of the lab. Should not just be a visual materials list but show how the variables were controlled and aid in someone replicating the investigation Procedure – ___ Describe exactly how to repeat the experiment so that someone outside of AHS could repeat your results. ___ Explain how to precisely collect quantitative data for the dependent variable, as well as what qualitative data should be recorded. ___ Include all necessary instructions for controlling variables. ___ Include directions for taking quantitative data for controlled variables. ___ Emphasize the inclusion of a period of time for ‘equilibration’ of equipment, fluids, organisms, etc. ___ Include some validity measures, such as cleaning equipment, calibrating devices, etc. ___ List relevant safety precautions and equipment. ___ Specify the number of trials (repeats) per experimental group. Ensure you will have a minimum of 25 data points. ___ If you are sampling only a portion of the population, explain how and why you ensured the sample was randomly selected. Design: Aspect 2 Complete (2) Partial (1) Not at all (0) Designs a method that makes Designs a method for the effective Designs a method that does not Controlling variables some attempts to control the control of the variables. control the variables. variables. Design: Aspect 3 Complete (2) Partial (1) Not at all (0) Develops a method that allows for Develops a method that allows for Develops a method that does not Developing a method for collection the collection of sufficient relevant the collection of insufficient relevant allow for any relevant data to be of data data. data. collected. IA Lab Raw Data Tables – Checklis ___ Make sure this is raw data only, no calculations have been completed. t: ___ Include a separate raw data table for quantitative data regarding controlled variables. DCP ___ Include qualitative data regarding observations and possible sources of error, with no interpretation. ___ A descriptive title is given for each table and each table is numbered (Table 1…., Table 2….). ___ All columns are properly headed and units are given. ___ Uncertainties are mandatory; given within column headings for equipment precision or as footnotes beneath data tables for other types of uncertainties requiring explanation (e.g. human reaction time) ___ If uncertainty was estimated, the method for estimating uncertainty clearly noted under each table. ___ The number of significant figures match the uncertainty of each measurement and decimals points line up. ___ Do not “split” a data table (putting part of a table on one page and finishing it on another). If a table absolutely must be split (due to quantity of data), re-do the title and all column headings. Data Collection & Processing: Complete (2) Partial (1) Not at all (0) Aspect 1 Records appropriate quantitative Records appropriate quantitative Does not record any appropriate and associated qualitative raw and associated qualitative raw Recording Raw Data quantitative raw data or raw data is data, including units and data, but with some mistakes or incomprehensible. uncertainties where relevant. omissions. Data Processing Overview – ___ Short paragraph section that gives an overview of how and why you decided to process and present the data in the form that shows up later in this section. Show an independent understanding of why this was the best choice for processing data from this investigation. ___ Attempt to go beyond simple calculations or other summary statistics (e.g. sums, averages and percentages) with more challenging calculations (e.g. rates, standard deviations, t-values, diversity indexes, etc.) ___ If applicable, justify why you have chosen to leave any outliers (a reading that is particularly different from the others) out of the processing and analysis. Sample Calculation – ___ Neatly lay out and explain one worked example of each type of calculation that was done to the raw data to help make it more useful for interpretation. EXCEPTION: Where these statistics are calculated from a preset menu on a calculator or computer, a worked example will not be expected, but the data should be presented in such a way that the steps in the processing can be clearly followed. ___ Include formulas ___ Specify which trial and experimental group the sample data came from. ___ Include units on all numbers.

Data Collection & Processing: Complete (2) Partial (1) Not at all (0) Aspect 2 Processes quantitative raw data, No processing of quantitative raw Processes the quantitative raw data Processing Raw Data but with some mistakes and/or data is carried out or major correctly. omissions. mistakes are made in processing.

Processed Data Tables and Graphs – ___ Processed data presented in appropriate tables (titles, table numbers, headings, units, uncertainties, significant figures). ___ Follow standard rules for tables and graphs (descriptive title, axis’ labeled including units and uncertainties, appropriate axis scale, manipulated variable on x axis and responding variable on y axis, etc.) ___ A descriptive title is given for each graph and each graph is numbered (Figure 1…., Figure 2….). ___ Choose the type of graph to appropriately represent data. ___ If you graphed any average/mean, standard deviation error bars are required ___ Error bars must be defined in graph title or in a caption under the graph. ___ If more than one data set is on a single graph, include a legend names data sets, names lines. ___ If appropriate, include a trendline or curve, equation of the line, and/or the R2 value

Data Collection & Processing: Complete (2) Partial (1) Not at all (0) Aspect 3 Presents processed data Presents processed data Presents processed data Presenting Processed Data appropriately and, where relevant, appropriately, but with some inappropriately or includes errors and uncertainties. mistakes and/or omissions. incomprehensibly. IA Lab Checklis t: C/E Conclusion – ___ Draw a clear conclusion, with justification, regarding the effect of the MV on the RV as stated in the experimental question. If data was inconclusive due to large variability and/or error, explain why no conclusion can be drawn from the data. ___ Address whether the data supports or refutes the hypothesis (if one was written). This should be discussed and not just stated. ___ Specifically refer to your graphs and data to give support to this discussion. ___ Describe fully any trends or patterns in the data. ___ Overall, how confident can you be in your conclusion based on the experimental design as written and data as collected. ___ If you did any statistical tests (t-test, chi-square, etc.), what did the results of that test show? ___ If you have error bars on your graph(s), discuss what they communicate about the reliability of the data. ___ Avoid the use of the word “proof” or “proves” within your conclusion, as your data will not prove anything.

Conclusion and Evaluation: Complete (2) Partial (1) Not at all (0) Aspect 1 States no conclusion or the States a conclusion, with States a conclusion based on a conclusion is based on an Concluding justification, based on a reasonable reasonable interpretation of the unreasonable interpretation of the interpretation of the data. data. data.

Limitations of Experimental Design – ___ Identify possible sources of error, backed up by an analysis of the errors in the data or observations made during the experiment. Discuss why they might have occurred, and how you would expect them to impact the data (random error, systematic error, etc.). No new observations should be presented here. ___ Show an appreciation for the significance of the weaknesses identified. ___ Comment on any faults in the method and look at each step of the procedure critically to determine where the method was not precise or accurate. ___ Identify any weakness in controlling variables. ___ Discuss whether the range of the MV was appropriate, including evidence. ___ Comment on any assumptions made in the method which might not have been correct. ___ Outlier points could be discussed (if there were any outlier points) as well as possible reasons for those outlier points.

Conclusion and Evaluation: Complete (2) Partial (1) Not at all (0) Aspect 2 Identifies some weaknesses and Evaluates weaknesses and Identifies irrelevant weaknesses Evaluating Procedure(s) limitations, but the evaluation is limitations. and limitations. weak or missing.

Suggestions for Improvement – ___ Suggest specific improvements for the limitations stated above. This must include ways of reducing the most significant errors. ___ Explain how to better control variables. ___ Avoid ‘generic’ suggestions of improvement that may be applied to any experiment (e.g. ‘more replicates needed’, ‘more precise equipment needed’, etc.) Instead, make specific improvements based on references to the data/results.

Conclusion and Evaluation: Complete (2) Partial (1) Not at all (0) Aspect 3 Suggests realistic improvements in Suggests only superficial Improving the investigation respect to identified weaknesses Suggests unrealistic improvements. improvements. and limitations.