Approaching an Internal Assessment (IA) can seem daunting, but with careful planning and a systematic approach, you can make it a manageable and rewarding experience.
Here is a good structure for your IA:
Introduction
The introduction should be clear – it should outline the research question or hypothesis and explains the relevance of your study. You should also explain why this topic interests you and what you want to research about clearly, referring to current literature on the subject.
Methodology
This section should be as detailed as possible, with units of measurement. This section describes the methods you used to collect data or conduct your experiment, including any tools or equipment being used.
Analysis
Students should analyse your data or findings in detail, presenting the raw data in refined graphs or charts to support your analysis where it is appropriate to do so. In Science IAs, statistical testing is required. Students should select the appropriate statistical tests.
Conclusion
Students should summarise their findings and discuss their implications, stating how further research can be done (in a detailed manner) about this topic. They should reflect on any limitations in their research and write about how they tried to mitigate them.
References
Students need to include a bibliography of all the resources used and cited in the IA, following the appropriate citation style.
Here is a good checklist for your IA that you can use:
IA Checklist
Is the title of your investigation relevant to Chemistry?
Do you have your IB candidate code (and all your group members, if any)?
Is the total word count given immediately after the title of your investigation?
Is there relevant background information?
Is the research question stated clearly?
Is the research question sharply focused?
Is the research question described within a specific and appropriate context?
Is the methodology described clearly?
Is the rationale behind the methodology explained clearly?
Are the dependent and independent variables clearly identified?
Are the decisions about the scope, quantity and quality of measurements stated and explained?
Are the controlled variables identified and the methods of control outlined?
Does the methodology allow for the collection of relevant and sufficient data to answer the research question?
Are there any safety, ethical, or environmental issues which need to be recognised?
Are there enough details about the methodology so the experiment can be reproduced?
Avoid unnecessary or repetitive information.
Is the recording and processing of data clear and precise?
Are all appropriate uncertainties of the data considered?
Is the method used to process the data clear and unambiguous?
Is the processing of the data accurate and appropriate to the research question?
Is there the correct use of significant figures throughout?
Is there the correct use of units throughout?
Is there the correct use of chemical and mathematical terminology and scientific notation throughout?
Are all graphs and tables annotated correctly?
Is there a conclusion which is relevant to the research question stated and is this conclusion consistent with the processed data, including uncertainties?
Is the conclusion justified with relevant comparison to the accepted scientific context?
Are all sources properly acknowledged and easily traceable?
Are limitations and weaknesses of the specific methodology identified and explained?
Are there suggestions and explanations for realistic improvements to the investigation, relevant to the identified limitations or weaknesses?
Are all pages numbered?
Is the total word count less than 3000?
Get a 7 for IB Chemistry (HL/SL) with the IB Chemistry Clinic today!
As the name suggests, the IB Chemistry Clinic does not only fix a student’s grades - it helps students with critical components of the IB Programme, namely the Internal Assessment (IA) which is worth at least 20% of a student’s grade and their Extended Essay (EE) in Chemistry. The IA and EE are a non-negotiable part of the Chemistry curriculum - without them, students will not be able to graduate with an IB Diploma.
However, there are many difficulties associated with conducting experiments for the IA and EE - many replications are required and the standard for the final deliverable - the research report - is high. Students need to undertake statistical testing and present their final results coherently and concisely.
Although the IB school provides mentors for the EE and teachers at school can guide students through their IA, attention to each student is often limited in a classroom setting and many students are left to figure things out by themselves. This results in difficulty completing internal deadlines on time, especially when a student needs to juggle all their 6 subjects and the additional components of the IB, along with their CCAs and other commitments.
The IB Chemistry Clinic is here to answer all your questions - whether it is about content knowledge or fixing errors in your experimental setup as you undertake your IA journey, our skilled tutors with a strong background in Chemistry research and 30 years of experience teaching Chemistry are here to help!
Contact us at +65 9616 1651 to book your slot today!
Frequently Asked Questions
How hard is it to get a 7 in IB?
With time and effort, students who know the syllabus well and are well-prepared and have well-written assignments will easily get a 7 in the IB.
Is IB harder than A Levels Singapore?
The A Level exam is more difficult than the IB exam, but IB involves the Internal Assessment (IA) which features independent research which could be harder than the A Level exam.
Is 43 in IB a good score?
An IB score of 43 is an excellent score.
What is the hardest IB subject combination?
One of the hardest IB subject combinations is PCME, which involves HL Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, along with SL Economics.
What IB score is needed for Harvard/Oxford?
The minimum IB score for Harvard and Oxford is 40 points out of 45 points.
Is 28 a bad IB score?
The average IB score throughout the years has ranged between 28 to 30 points. All students need to score a minimum of 24 points across 6 subjects to be awarded an IB diploma.
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