Planning
This criterion assesses the extent to which you have developed appropriate methods to gather data that is relevant to the research question. The data could be primary or secondary, qualitative or quantitative, and may utilize techniques associated with both experimental or social science methods of inquiry.
Here, the emphasis is on the development of the methodology of the investigation. ESS allows for a broad range of studies that could be scientific or social-science based. The criterion has been designed to allow for assessment of a wide range of types of study. So, for example, when justifying the choice of the sampling strategy, this could mean explaining the method of sampling recipients in a questionnaire, but could also mean the selection of the number of repeats and the control of variables in a laboratory test. The important idea is that the methodology is appropriate to the focused research question, that there is sufficient data generated to lead to a conclusion, and that the rationale is explained clearly.
Many ESS studies will involve ethical or safety considerations. You must address this, where necessary, paying attention to the IB animal experimentation policy (which includes guidelines on working with human subjects).
Here, the emphasis is on the development of the methodology of the investigation. ESS allows for a broad range of studies that could be scientific or social-science based. The criterion has been designed to allow for assessment of a wide range of types of study. So, for example, when justifying the choice of the sampling strategy, this could mean explaining the method of sampling recipients in a questionnaire, but could also mean the selection of the number of repeats and the control of variables in a laboratory test. The important idea is that the methodology is appropriate to the focused research question, that there is sufficient data generated to lead to a conclusion, and that the rationale is explained clearly.
Many ESS studies will involve ethical or safety considerations. You must address this, where necessary, paying attention to the IB animal experimentation policy (which includes guidelines on working with human subjects).
Data Collection Ideas
Reference the video below from Science Sauce
- Values and Attitude Surveys and Questionnaires
- Interviews
- Fieldwork
- Ecosystem Modelling
- Models (physical, software, mathematical)
- Field Manipulation Experiments
- Lab Work
- EIAs
- Secondary Data (must use unique data)
- Qualitative and Quantitate Data
- A Combination of any of the above
Reference the video below from Science Sauce
Planning (6)
Hypothesis:
Although not required by the IB Organization, for many investigations it is appropriate for you to include a hypothesis. A hypothesis is like a prediction. It will often take the form of a proposed relationship between two or more variables that can be tested by experiment: “If X is done, then Y will occur.”
No all investigations will have a hypothesis. However, they help you focus your ideas. Be sure that your hypothesis is related directly to your research question
Also justify your hypothesis. This should be a brief discussion (paragraph form) about the theory or ‘why’ behind the hypothesis and prediction. Be sure the hypothesis is related directly to the research question and that the manipulated and responding variables for the experiment are clear.
Methodology:
Make a list of materials needed.
State or discuss the method (procedure) that was used in the experiment.
“Control of variables” refers to the manipulation of the independent variable and the attempt to maintain the controlled variables at a constant value.
Justification of Sampling:
Safety, Ethics and Environmental Issues:
Risk Assessment Forms
Hypothesis:
Although not required by the IB Organization, for many investigations it is appropriate for you to include a hypothesis. A hypothesis is like a prediction. It will often take the form of a proposed relationship between two or more variables that can be tested by experiment: “If X is done, then Y will occur.”
No all investigations will have a hypothesis. However, they help you focus your ideas. Be sure that your hypothesis is related directly to your research question
Also justify your hypothesis. This should be a brief discussion (paragraph form) about the theory or ‘why’ behind the hypothesis and prediction. Be sure the hypothesis is related directly to the research question and that the manipulated and responding variables for the experiment are clear.
Methodology:
- IV correctly identified with units and levels, including how the levels were chosen.
- Minimum of five levels of IV over a suitable range (unless comparing populations or correlating variables without manipulation).
- DV (as directly recorded and/or calculated) correctly identified with units.
- Important CV identified, with the potential impact of each discussed. Validity measures and/or control group are not misunderstood as CV.
- List or photo of apparatus and materials including size, graduation and uncertainty.
- Reference to preliminary trials, if completed.
- Method to change and measure IV fully detailed (including tools, units and uncertainty).
- Method for measuring DV fully detailed (including tools, units and uncertainty).
- Sufficient repeats of DV measurement to ensure reliability and allow for statistics (5 for SD, 10 for T-test, 20+for correlation).
- Collection of data from other students or sources is explained and referenced.
- If sampling only a portion of a population, include the method for ensuring the sample was randomly selected.
- Method for maintaining and measuring CV is detailed (including tools, units and uncertainty).
- Method includes validity measures to ensure experimental measurements are valid and consistent.
- Method is clear, specific and easily replicated as described.
- Full citation of a published protocol (or elements of), if used.
Make a list of materials needed.
- Be as specific as possible (example: “50 mL beaker instead of ‘beaker’).
- A well labeled diagram or photograph of how the experiment is set up may be appropriate.
- Be sure the diagram includes a title and any necessary labels.
State or discuss the method (procedure) that was used in the experiment.
- should be in the form of a step-by-step direction.
- provide enough detail so that another person could repeat your work by reading the report!
- you don’t have to go into detail about standard, well-understood actions. If a standard technique is used, it should be referenced.
- if something is done in the procedure to minimize an anticipated error, mention this as well. (Example: “Carefully cutting plant stem under water to reduce affect of air on transpiration rate.”)
- clearly state how to collect data. What measuring device was used, what data was recorded and when? Or what qualitative observations were looked for (such as color change)?
- must allow collection of sufficient relevant data. As a rule, the lower limit is five measurements, or a sample size of five. Very small samples run from 5 to 20, small samples run from 20 to 30, and big samples run from 30 upwards. Obviously, this will vary within the limits of the time available for an investigation.
“Control of variables” refers to the manipulation of the independent variable and the attempt to maintain the controlled variables at a constant value.
- describe how the control of variables is achieved. If the control of variables is not practically possible, some effort should be made to monitor the variable(s).
- state an explicit procedure or method for how each variable will be controlled and monitored.
- if using a known experimental protocol, you must explain how you modified the standard method to make it your own.
Justification of Sampling:
- Justify your method
- Indicate why you choose to collect data the way you did
- Verify that the data is random and unbiased (specifically in survey data)
- Indicate how you made sure to collect sufficient and relevant data
Safety, Ethics and Environmental Issues:
- Safety issues fully considered (including human consent forms if needed).
- Ethical issues fully considered (including animal experimentation policy if needed).
- Environmental issues fully considered (such as reduction of waste and disposal of chemicals).
- List any safety precautions that must be taken during the lab, including personal and environmental concerns.
- Many ESS studies will involve ethical or safety considerations. You must address this, where necessary, paying attention to the IB animal experimentation policy (which includes guidelines on working with human subjects), and should write about their strategies for upholding safety and/or ethical standards in the report.
Risk Assessment Forms
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In line with the poster Ethical practice in the Diploma Programme, the following guidelines exist for all practical work undertaken as part of the Diploma Programme.
Find out more in Animal Experimentation
- No experiments involving other people will be undertaken without their written consent and their understanding of the nature of the experiment.
- No experiment will be undertaken that inflicts pain on, or causes distress to humans or live animals.
- No experiment or fieldwork will be undertaken that damages the environment.
Find out more in Animal Experimentation
Guidelines for the use of animals in IB World Schools from IBO
Surveys
Survey research involves the collection of information from a sample of individuals through their responses to questions.. It is an efficient method for systematically collecting data from a broad spectrum of individuals and educational settings
Click here for more information on creating surveys and questionnaires
Click here for more information on creating surveys and questionnaires
Secondary Data Bases
It is possible to use databases as the source for IA investigations, though this would need to be carefully managed. A challenge with using informatics/databases in IA work will be generating quality questions that can be explored effectively. However, this must be a unique analysis.
Click here for more information on using Databases and several database resources
Click here for more information on using Databases and several database resources
Measurement Precision
Unless there is a digital display, always measure to one digit beyond the smallest unit of CERTAIN measurement of the tool. For example, if you use a ruler that can accurately measure to the tenth of a centimeter, your measurement would be to the hundredth of a centimeter. The number of significant digits should reflect the precision of the measurement.
There should be no variation in the precision of raw data. The same number of digits past the decimal place should be used. For data derived from processing raw data (i.e., means), the level of precision should be consistent with that of the raw data.
There should be no variation in the precision of raw data. The same number of digits past the decimal place should be used. For data derived from processing raw data (i.e., means), the level of precision should be consistent with that of the raw data.
You may need to estimate the degree of precision sometimes especially with stop watches. Digital stop watches are said to be accurate to 0.01s but human reaction time is only +/-0.1s.
For electronic probes you may have to go to the manufacturer's specifications (on their web site or in the instructions manual).
Uncertainty
All measurements have uncertainties and are only as accurate as the tool being used. For general purposes, the accuracy of a measurement device is one half of the smallest measurement possible with the device. To determine uncertainty:
So, for example, the rulers in class measure to the millimeter (0.10 cm). Therefore, the ruler’s measurement uncertainty is +/- 0.05 cm.
The numerical value of a ± uncertainty value tells you the range of the result. For example a result reported as 1.23 ± 0.05 means that the experimenter has some degree of confidence that the true value falls in between 1.18 and 1.28.
Examples:
Experimental uncertainties should be rounded UP to one significant figure. Uncertainties are almost always quoted to one significant digit and we round up because it’s better to suggest higher uncertainty than to imply there is less uncertainty.
The measurement should have the same number of digits (decimal places) as the uncertainty. It would be confusing to suggest that you knew the digit in the hundredths (or thousandths) place when you admit that you unsure of the tenths place.
Just as for units, in a column of data students can show the uncertainty in the column heading and don’t have to keep re-writing if for every measurement in the table.
Units
The system of units used in science is called the International System of Units (SI units). In the table below are some of the more common SI units
For electronic probes you may have to go to the manufacturer's specifications (on their web site or in the instructions manual).
Uncertainty
All measurements have uncertainties and are only as accurate as the tool being used. For general purposes, the accuracy of a measurement device is one half of the smallest measurement possible with the device. To determine uncertainty:
- Find the smallest increment of measurement on your measurement device
- Divide it by two
- Round to the first non-zero number
So, for example, the rulers in class measure to the millimeter (0.10 cm). Therefore, the ruler’s measurement uncertainty is +/- 0.05 cm.
The numerical value of a ± uncertainty value tells you the range of the result. For example a result reported as 1.23 ± 0.05 means that the experimenter has some degree of confidence that the true value falls in between 1.18 and 1.28.
Examples:
- Mass of a penny on a centigram balance: 3.12g (+/- 0.05g)
- Temperature using a typical lab thermometer: 25.5°C (+/- 0.5°C)
Experimental uncertainties should be rounded UP to one significant figure. Uncertainties are almost always quoted to one significant digit and we round up because it’s better to suggest higher uncertainty than to imply there is less uncertainty.
- Wrong: ± 12.5 mL
- Correct: ± 20 mL
The measurement should have the same number of digits (decimal places) as the uncertainty. It would be confusing to suggest that you knew the digit in the hundredths (or thousandths) place when you admit that you unsure of the tenths place.
- Wrong: 1.237 s ± 0.1 s
- Correct: 1.2 s ± 0.1 s
Just as for units, in a column of data students can show the uncertainty in the column heading and don’t have to keep re-writing if for every measurement in the table.
Units
The system of units used in science is called the International System of Units (SI units). In the table below are some of the more common SI units
The following example shows different ways to express the same unit.
- Oxygen consumption (millilters per gram per hour)
- Oxygen consumption (ml/g/h)
- Oxygen consumption (ml g-1 h-1)
Planning Rubric
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The fourth in a series of videos from Science Sauce focusing on where to get your Data
The sixth in a series of videos from Science Sauce focusing on your Planning
