Effect of Initial Water Temperature on the Freezing/Cooling Rate.
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.
General instructions: The lab report has to be in font Arial/Times
New Roman size 12 (no more no less), and no more than 12 pages
including bibliography (references). There is no need for a cover
page; however, the use of a header indicating page number, name and
student IB Candidate session number must be included for each page.
Title: There is a descriptive title that describes, in summary, what you
will be researching.
Aim (Research Question): There is a very descriptive research
question or aim that allows you to know fully what is being
investigated, including both the independent variable and dependent
variable as a part of the Aim/RQ.
Independent Variable: Includes the units, range and intervals.
Ex. (independent variable) in a range
from ___ to ____ in five equal increments
of ____.
Dependent Variable: Correctly identified with units and
precision (ex. +/- ½ a division of your
smallest unit (like 4.3cm +/- 0.05cm) or a
whole division of the smallest unit on a
digital scale (like 4.3cm +/- 0.1cm).
Introduction (Personal Engagement): One paragraph (see examples
in sample IA’s)
– This describes the extent to which you engage with the exploration
and make it your own. Personal engagement may be recognized in
dif erent 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.
Note: You will be marked on…
1
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.
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 ef ect 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.
-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
2
– 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
(Actually name the
controlled variable
here).
Method to Control
Variable (Value,
with method for
achieving that
value)
Possible Impact on
the Results (what’s
the effect on the
results IF the
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 suf icient 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
6×6 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
3
show the predicted relationship of the 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)
4
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
(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
ef ectively 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
5
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 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
Effect on
Data
Significance of
the weakness
or limitation
Improving the
Investigation (State
how an improved
experimental design could
remove or reduce the impact
6
(in terms of the
data set)
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.
To consider: Anything else
you can think of in reference
to the quantitative data?
Paragraph Summary of Analysis of reliability of the results.
(If Group 4 Project- ONLY) Action-Service Connection
Upon Reflection of your Group 4 Investigation:
In doing the Investigation you have already taken action through
Research. What other types of action (Direct, Indirect, Advocacy or
further Research) do you think you can further explore? What will
you do to take this action? Try to Skype-A-Scientist, share your
Research findings with the Scientist, and ask how your
Investigation might benefit others. Reflect on what you were able
to do with your Research, and include evidence of both the type of
action you will take, and the communication with the
Skype-A-Scientist.
7
Bibliography
-Bibliography of sources used in MLA format.
8