IB Physics -- IA Rubric Name: ____________________________

Personal
Engagement
Exploration Analysis Evaluation Communication TOTAL
(2)
(6) (6) (6) (4) (24)

Exploration
1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4

Research Background Investigation Safety and Ethical

Question Information Methodology Considerations Overall

1-2-3-4-5-6

Analysis
2.1 2.2 3.4 3.1

Raw Data Processed Data Uncertainty Analysis Data Interpreted Overall

1-2-3-4-5-6

Evaluation
3.2 3.3 3.5 3.6

Data Scientific Future

Justification Context
Evaluation
Improvements Overall

1-2-3-4-5-6

General Comments:
Personal Engagement
1 2
The evidence of personal engagement with the The evidence of personal engagement with the
exploration is limited with little independent exploration is clear with significant independent
thinking, initiative or creativity. thinking, initiative or creativity.

The justification for research question and/or the The justification for research question and/or the
investigation topic choice does not demonstrate investigation topic choice demonstrates personal
personal significance, interest or curiosity. significance, interest or curiosity.

There is little evidence of personal input and There is evidence of personal input and initiative in
initiative in the designing, implementation or the designing, implementation or presentation of
presentation of the investigation. the investigation.

□ Thinking, initiative or insight for investigating chosen topic is given

□ Justification indicates personal interest, significance or curiosity for chosen design & presentation is given

Part I - Exploration
1.1 | Research Question
1 2 3 4 5 6
Investigation topic is identified; Investigation topic is identified; Investigation topic is identified;
Research question of some Research question is relevant but Research question is relevant,
relevance is stated but not not fully focused fully focused and clear
focused

□ A grammatically correct question about a precise relationship is asked

□ A sufficiently detailed question to stand alone and be self explanatory is asked
□ A specific measurable dependent variable is included
□ A specific independent variable to be manipulated is included

1.2 | Background Information

1 2 3 4 5 6
Background information is Background information is Background information is
superficial or of limited mainly appropriate, relevant entirely appropriate, relevant
relevance and does not aid the and aids the understanding of and enhances the
understanding of context of the the context of the investigation. understanding of the context of
investigation. the investigation.

□ A well organized essay with paragraphs is given with an introduction, body and conclusion
□ The introduction includes an observation that leads to the research question
□ All key variables relevant to the experiment are investigated
□ References scientific theory and any relevant equations or known relationships
□ All information is clearly supported with references
□ At least 3 appropriate sources with authors have been used
□ There is no plagiarism (this will give a zero)
1.3 | Investigation Methodology
1 2 3 4 5 6
Investigation methodology is Investigation methodology is Investigation methodology is
appropriate: addresses research mainly appropriate: addresses highly appropriate: addresses
question to a very limited extent; the research question with research question; All or nearly all
few of the significant factors that limitations; some of the significant factors that may
may influence the relevance, significant factors that may influence the relevance, reliability
reliability and sufficiency of the influence the relevance, reliability and sufficiency of the collected
collected data considered. and sufficiency of the collected data considered.
data considered.

Variables
□ Independent Variable, Dependent Variable and Controlled Variables are given and correct
□ A very brief description of how the independent variable is modified is given
□ A very brief description of how the dependent variable is measured is given
□ Controlled variables include all significant variables that could affect the dependent variable
□ A very brief description of why each controlled variable must be kept constant is given

Hypothesis (this is required for Biology reports but optional for Physics)
□ The hypothesis can be supported through scientific research and reasoning
□ A precise relationship between the independent and dependent variables is predicted
□ There is an outcome listed

Methodology: Apparatus, Diagram, Method

□ All materials are clearly listed with details (type, amount, size, volume, concentration…) with uncertainties
□ Labelled diagrams and/or photographs clearly showing the setup of apparatus is included
□ What was done and an explanation of why is given for each step
□ How the independent variable was manipulated is clearly described
□ How the listed controlled variables were kept controlled in the experiment is described
□ The use and method of random sampling is described where relevant

Methodology: Choice of Data Processing

□ The reliability of the methodology is established through sufficient repetition
□ The number of dependent variable measurements and why this amount is described
□ A very brief explanation about how experimental uncertainty is calculated is given

1.4 | Safety and Ethical Considerations

1 2 3 4 5 6
Limited awareness of the Some awareness of the Full awareness of the significant
significant safety, ethical or significant safety, ethical or safety, ethical or environmental
environmental issues relevant to environmental issues relevant to issues relevant to the
the investigation methodology the investigation methodology investigation methodology

□ Comment on possible hazards, environmental, ethical and social impacts of the work
□ Itemize how to deal with to minimize the impact
Part II - Analysis
2.1 | Raw Data
1 2 3 4 5 6
The report includes insufficient The report includes relevant but The report includes sufficient
relevant raw data to support a incomplete quantitative and relevant quantitative and
valid conclusion to the research qualitative raw data that could qualitative raw data that could
question. support a simple or partially support a detailed and valid
valid conclusion to the research conclusion to the research
question. question.

Data Collection
□ Appropriate raw quantitative data is recorded in a clearly designed and drawn table
□ A descriptive title with the variables is given for the data table
□ Column headings include the quantity, units and uncertainties
□ Data is recorded to an appropriate degree of precision and consistent with uncertainties
□ Qualitative data is recorded in the data table or separately as appropriate

2.2 | Processed Data

1 2 3 4 5 6
Some basic data processing is Appropriate and sufficient data Appropriate and sufficient data
carried out but is either too processing is carried out that processing is carried out with the
inaccurate or too insufficient to could lead to a broadly valid accuracy required to enable a
lead to a valid conclusion. conclusion but there are conclusion to the research
significant inaccuracies and question to be drawn that is fully
inconsistencies in the consistent with the experimental
processing. data.

Data Analysis: Processing Data

□ Calculations are carried out correctly and allow construction of an appropriate graph
□ Sample calculations are demonstrated for the reader
□ Sample calculations are in appropriate with correct format (typed sample calc/Excel snipped image)
□ Some statistical significance test is run to prove data (note: this doesn’t apply to all physics labs)

Data Analysis: Presenting Data

□ The dependent variable is appropriately graphed against the independent variable
□ Graphs include descriptive titles of the variables and axis are labeled including units
□ Error bars showing the uncertainties are included on the graph for individual data points are custom
□ How uncertainties were determined is stated below the graph if needed and explained if not included
□ Maximum and minimum lines of best fit are drawn if appropriate
□ Each graph has a paragraph discussing the relationship(s) and trends shown – no conclusion
Part III - Conclusion
3.1 | Data Interpretation
1 2 3 4 5 6
The processed data is incorrectly The processed data is interpreted The processed data is correctly
or insufficiently interpreted so so that a broadly valid but interpreted so that a completely
that the conclusion is invalid or incomplete or limited conclusion valid and detailed conclusion to
very incomplete. to the research question can be the research question can be
deduced. deduced.

3.2 | Data Justification

1 2 3 4 5 6
A conclusion is outlined which is A conclusion is described which A detailed conclusion is
not relevant to the research is relevant to the research described and justified which is
question or is not supported by question and supported by the entirely relevant to the research
the data presented. data presented. question and fully supported by
the data presented.

Data Interpretation and Justification

□ The reliability of the data is commented on
□ The quantity of the data is commented on
□ Outlier data or irregularities in the data are addressed
□ The significance of uncertainties and meaning of the trend line is determined
□ The conclusion given is correct and clearly supported by the interpretation of the data
□ Key data from the analysis is given and trends in the data are discussed
□ The extent to which the hypothesis is supported by the data is explained
□ The variation in results is reported, showing the strength of the conclusion

3.3 | Scientific Context

1 2 3 4 5 6
The conclusion makes superficial A conclusion is described which A conclusion is correctly
comparison to the accepted makes some relevant comparison described and justified through
scientific context. to the accepted scientific context. relevant comparison to the
accepted scientific context.

□ Background information is present in the conclusion.

□ Shows a direct relationship from data trends to scientific context
□ How far the conclusion can be generalized is discussed
□ Scientific reasoning is used to show the validity of the relationship
3.4 | Uncertainty Analysis
1 2 3 4 5 6
The report shows evidence of The report shows evidence of The report shows evidence of full
little consideration of the impact some consideration of the and appropriate consideration of
of measurement uncertainty on impact of measurement the impact of measurement
the analysis uncertainty on the analysis uncertainty on the analysis.

□ Uncertainty of equipment is completed for all materials

□ Uncertainty calculations are completed accurately
□ Report accurately discusses the impact of that uncertainty on the lab
□ Suggestions are present for equipment with over a 5% uncertainty
□ Suggestions are specific (i.e. cannot just say “complete more trials”)

3.5 | Evaluation
1 2 3 4 5 6
Strengths and weaknesses of the Strengths and weaknesses of the Strengths and weaknesses of the
investigation, such as limitations investigation, such as limitations investigation, such as limitations
of the data and sources of error, of the data and sources of error, of the data and sources of error,
are outlined but are restricted to are described and provide are discussed and provide
an account of the practical or evidence of some awareness of evidence of a clear
procedural issues faced. the methodological issues* understanding of the
involved in establishing the methodological issues* involved
conclusion. in establishing the conclusion.

□ Discussion about how errors could lead to unreliable data/data collection processes
□ Strengths and weaknesses are specific, defined and outlined
□ These strengths and weaknesses are related back to any methodological issues

3.6 | Future Improvements

1 2 3 4 5 6
The student has outlined very The student has described some The student has discussed
few realistic and relevant realistic and relevant suggestions realistic and relevant suggestions
suggestions for the improvement for the improvement and for the improvement and
and extension of the extension of the investigation. extension of the investigation.
investigation.

Suggested Improvements
□ Where limitations are determined to be significant, specific improvements are proposed
□ Improvements effectively address the limitations (not just to be more careful)
□ Improvements are given which are possible within the context of a school laboratory

Further Research
□ Further research ideas are stated with clear independent and dependent variables
□ The questions are an extension from the conclusion and evaluation
□ A short explanation for each question is given to establish its importance and relevance
Communication
1 2 3 4
The presentation of the investigation is unclear, The presentation of the investigation is clear.
making it difficult to understand the focus, Any errors do not hamper understanding of the
process, and outcomes. focus, process and outcomes

The report is not well structured and unclear: the The report is well structured and clear: the
necessary information on focus, process, and necessary information on focus, process, and
outcomes is missing or is presented in an outcomes is present and presented in a coherent
incoherent or disorganized way way.

The understanding of the focus, process, and The report is relevant and concise thereby
outcomes of the investigation is obscured by the facilitating a ready understanding of the focus,
presence of inappropriate or irrelevant information process, and outcomes of the investigation

There are many errors in the use of subject specific The use of subject-specific terminology and
terminology and conventions (i.e. incorrect/missing conventions is appropriate and correct. Any errors
graph labels, tables, images, units, etc) do not hamper understanding

□ Clear headings are used to break up the report into well-organized sections
□ The report length is reasonable. Most reports land somewhere between 6-12 pages
□ Very few errors present
□ Easy to read - incorrect formatting and grammar don’t get in the way