The Internal Assessment (IA) is a crucial component of your IB Chemistry course, contributing significantly to your final grade. A well-structured IA demonstrates your understanding of experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication. This guide focuses on structuring your IA, specifically addressing the naming conventions and guiding questions.
1. Choosing a Compelling Title: More Than Just a Name
Your IA title is the first impression you make on the examiner. It should be concise, informative, and accurately reflect the investigation's scope. Avoid overly broad or vague titles. A strong title clearly communicates the central theme and methodology.
Examples of Effective Titles:
- Good: "The Effect of Temperature on the Rate of Reaction Between Hydrochloric Acid and Sodium Thiosulfate"
- Better: "Investigating the Rate Law for the Reaction Between Hydrochloric Acid and Sodium Thiosulfate: A Kinetic Study at Varying Temperatures" (More specific and indicates the type of investigation)
- Poor: "Chemistry Experiment" (Too vague and lacks information)
Key Considerations for Title Creation:
- Specificity: Clearly state the independent and dependent variables.
- Methodology: Hint at the experimental techniques used (e.g., titration, spectrophotometry).
- Conciseness: Aim for a title that is under 15 words.
2. Crafting a Focused Guiding Question: The Heart of Your IA
The guiding question is the cornerstone of your IA. It should be:
- Specific: Avoid ambiguous or overly broad questions.
- Testable: The question must be answerable through experimentation and data analysis.
- Feasible: Ensure the investigation is achievable within the timeframe and resources available.
- Relevant: The question should align with the IB Chemistry syllabus and demonstrate an understanding of chemical principles.
Examples of Effective Guiding Questions:
- Good: "How does the concentration of hydrochloric acid affect the rate of reaction with sodium thiosulfate at a constant temperature?"
- Better: "Determine the order of reaction with respect to hydrochloric acid in the reaction with sodium thiosulfate at 25°C using the initial rates method." (More specific and indicates the method used)
- Poor: "What happens when acids react with bases?" (Too broad and lacks focus)
Developing a Strong Guiding Question:
- Start with a broad topic: Choose an area of chemistry that interests you.
- Refine the topic: Narrow down your focus to a specific area for investigation.
- Formulate testable hypotheses: Develop predictions based on existing chemical knowledge.
- Create a focused question: Transform your hypothesis into a clear, testable guiding question.
3. Connecting Title and Guiding Question: Maintaining Consistency
Your title and guiding question should be closely linked. The title should accurately reflect the question being investigated, and the question should be directly addressable through the experimental design. Inconsistencies between the two indicate a lack of clarity and focus in your IA.
By carefully selecting a precise title and crafting a focused guiding question, you lay the foundation for a successful and high-scoring IB Chemistry IA. Remember, meticulous planning in these initial stages significantly impacts the overall quality and coherence of your investigation.
