Optimal Success with 9-Point Checklist for IB Chemistry IA

How quickly do the days fly by – one day, you’re making a packing checklist for your freshman year, excited to start your college journey, and the next, you’re making a checklist for what you need to include and keep in mind ace your chemistry IA paper.

Wondering how to get started?

In this article, you’ll learn what an IB chemistry internal assessment is, along with a handy checklist to help you deliver quality A-grade assessments.

What is chemistry internal assessment?

For most IB students, chemistry IA seems like an impossible feat to conquer.

Taking up 20% of your entire grade for your coursework, Chemistry IA papers need to be submitted with little or no errors and should consist of the most minute details to qualify for high scores.

This paper should have an appropriate format and should be written according to the marking criteria, as it includes a lot of research, assumptions, graphs, and diagrams.

It should be presented in a way that shows you’re capable of understanding, collecting, and presenting raw data and are able to process this data to explain the chemistry behind common real-world phenomena.

The IB chemistry IA is an investigative essay that helps you understand your grasp of the knowledge involved in your chemistry coursework, the creative application of important concepts, independent thinking, and the multiple skills you’ve gained through practical tests and internal assessments.

9-Point Chemistry IA Checklist for a High-Scoring Paper

Since writing an IB chemistry IA requires you to be on your toes and involves a lot of rechecking for facts, outlines, formatting, methods, and analysis – we have listed down a thorough IB chemistry IA checklist for you to refer to, in case you miss out on anything to include in your paper.

Submitting a detail-oriented and thorough assignment will not only make the entire ordeal of writing a stressful chemistry IA paper much simpler but will also help you ace your IA tests and earn high grades on them.

1. Candidate Number

• Write your candidate number at the top of each page of your IA paper.
• Avoid writing your name anywhere on this document.

2. Investigation Title

• Topic should be suitably complex such that it needs investigation.
• Needs to include personal initiatives and opinions.

3. Research Prompt & Background

• The research question should include Independent Variables (variables that can be changed) and Dependent Variables (variables that can be measured).
• The specific problem or research question is defined and described in detail for the reader to understand the purpose of the experiment.
• The background on the experiment and research question for your IA needs to be expanded clearly and thoroughly rather than just discussing the topic.

4. Introduction Paragraph

• Your introduction should state clearly why your readers should keep reading your paper.
• Include a general understanding of the subject, backed with quality evidence and sources.
• Include the formulas and mathematical equations that are part of your paper.

5. Exploring Hypothesis

• Justify your choice of concepts to explain this experiment.
• Choose a hypothesis that supports the specific outcome that comes out of your investigation.

6. Methodology (Procedure)

• Outline the steps of your procedure in a chronological and organized manner.
• Explain in detail how you execute this experiment to measure the variables.
• The procedure should be personalized.
• Add a diagram/picture of your set-up (with any additional changes you’ve made).
• Include at least 5 variations for your independent variable (& run 3 test runs each).
• Incorporate safety precautions and disposal procedures of experiment/set-up.
• List out all the equipment used, what size they are, volumes of the glassware, the concentration of solutions/liquids and manufacturing details of all the complex apparatus that were used.
• Avoid using ‘I,’ ‘we,’ ‘you,’ etc. sentences in this step.

7. Analysis of the Investigation

Recording Raw Data

• Collect your data independently;
• The data should primarily be quantitative (in numbers);
• Should include qualitative observations to provide explanations for the conclusion and evaluations;
• Record your raw data in a specific format or style;
• Usage of technical terms is mandatory (NaCl instead of Salt, volume instead of amount, etc.);
• Write all your variables in their specific units;
• Align all your decimals.

Processing Raw Data

• Process your raw data in suitable manners (such as mathematical processing, representing your data into a graphical structure, statistical analysis);
• All of your data should be processed;
• Provide examples and explain the steps to all your calculations, briefly;
• Add a sample calculation for each processed data;
• Use the correct figures and uncertainty measurements or values for your data processing.

Presenting Processed Data

• Present the processed data in a suitable format;
• Clear and concise headings for all tables;
• When using a graph – add in simple titles for all graphs, choose appropriate scales, label axis with units, and accurately plot data points;
• One graph’s data should be sourced from a single table;
• Explanations of how you processed your data till the final result (to follow the procedure easily);
• Work is shown on how the uncertainty and raw data errors are included in your paper;
• The final results should be showcased with the accurate numbers of the specific figures.

8. Conclude your Conclusion

Justify your conclusion

• Write your conclusion based on the reasonable interpretation of your gathered data and explain how it supports your conclusion.
• Is your processed data displayed in a clear pattern? Recheck for any misses.
• Multiple graphs should be titled and compared and the observed trends in graphs need to be explained in detail.
• If an already known value is measured, compare it with the values in your reference textbooks or sources, to authenticate your result.
• Refer and cite any literature or source that was used in this assignment.

Evaluate your Analysis

• The investigation needs to be evaluated on the methods, designs, and accuracy of the experiment.
• Specific measurements and instrument errors are evaluated to verify the accuracy of the measurements.
• Random errors and uncontrollable variables that come up in your experiment need to be evaluated.
• Identify and explain sources of errors and how they might impact each of the results that were gained from this assessment.
• Review how the procedure you chose worked as a benefit for you or not.

Recognize Pain Points & Suggest Improvements

• Strengths and weaknesses in your procedure should be identified, addressed, and detailed.
• Explain how the limitations in your procedure can be minimized.
• Suggest improvements or changes you would make if you had to do this IA one more time.
• Modifications that were made to correct errors should be stated clearly.
• Investigate other possible extensions that could help with your methods, facts, or structure, and assist you in answering your research question.
• The proposed modifications or changes should be realistic and achievable.
• Compare the results with your literature sources and/or reference values.

9. Citations & Formats

• Your IA report should be logically presented in a coherent way.
• It should showcase effective communication of the focus, process, and results that come out of this experiment.
• Required to be well-structured, clear, and detailed.
• The information given for the report is specific and not vague.
• Appropriate use of specific terminologies.
• Subject-specific conventions such as correct formats for tables, graphs, units, images, etc.
• Include a page count rather than a word count.
• A well-written report should be 10-12 pages long.
• All the resources used for your assessment should be cited in the text.
• Citations should be accurate and consistent.
• Add a thorough Bibliography section at the end of your report.
• Use APA format for your Bibliography.
• Before submitting your final assessment, make it a point to show your professor at least one draft before the final paper for feedback and changes.
• Revise, revise, and revise again.
• IB evaluates your IA with a specific grading rubric. Understand all the criteria involved, adhere to the marking scales, and evaluate your assessment according to this rubric.
• Revise your paper for any spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, inaccurate sentence structures, and more before finally submitting your IA.

Key takeaway

As you can see, acing your chemistry IA paper is a methodical, focused, and painstaking process. It is a complex and textured assessment you might need help with. But armed with a comprehensive checklist that lays out the roadmap for your course of action, the job will seem far less intimidating and a lot more confidence-inducing.

So, for all you students setting forth towards exciting academic horizons, we hope this checklist provides you with a successful formula for your future endeavors.

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