IB ESS IA Report Template W - Advice
IB ESS IA Report Template W - Advice
IB ESS IA Report Template W - Advice
❏ report can not be longer than 2250 words (not including data tables or Works Cited)
RESEARCH QUESTION
(CTX: Aspect 1) “States a relevant, coherent and focused research question. The topic of the
investigation is identified and a relevant and fully focused research question is clearly described.”
❏ how does the IV (range & units) affect the DV (units)
❏ enough description that anyone could understand what you are talking about
❏ specific to your particular investigation, not general about the environmental context
HYPOTHESIS
❏ Formulate a hypothesis to predict the outcome of the investigation and explain it using
logical scientific reasoning. If (planned change in IV), then (predicted change in DV)
because (science reasons with supporting research)...
❏ not specifically required in rubric, but useful for later discussion
VARIABLES
Note: Avoid using up too many words in the entire PLANNING section. Keep it all succinct.
(PLA: Aspect 1) “Designs a repeatable* method appropriate to the research question that allows for the
collection of sufficient relevant data.”
JUSTIFICATION
(PLA: Aspect 2) “Justifies the choice of sampling strategy used.”
❏ support and defend why you chose this method – what makes it ideal for answering the
research question?
CONCLUSION
(RAC: Aspect 3) “Interprets trends, patterns or relationships in the data, so that a valid conclusion to
the research question is deduced.”
❏ the patterns and trends described above lead you to what conclusion? state succinctly
❏ briefly link this conclusion back to your hypothesis and/or research question
EVALUATION OF CONCLUSION
(DEV: Aspect 1) “Evaluates the conclusion in the context of the environmental issue.”
❏ considering your data, evaluate the degree to which the conclusion to your investigation
is valid and significant (i.e. how well can answer your research question with your data)
❏ how do your findings relate to the broader context of the environmental issue?
❏ to what extent do your findings support or contrast with info available in research
literature?
❏ what reasons can you suggest for any similarities or differences?
DISCUSSION OF METHOD
(DEV: Aspect 2) “Discusses strengths, weaknesses and limitations within the method used.”
❏ discuss strengths of your method and controls and how this affected your results
positively
❏ discuss weaknesses/limitations in the experimental design that you recognized
while/after carrying out the study
❏ how might the limitations of your method have affected your results and conclusion?
APPLICATION
(APP: Aspect 1) “Justifies one potential application and/or solution to the environmental issue that has
been discussed in the context, based on the findings of the study.”
(APP: Aspect 2) “Evaluates relevant strengths, weaknesses and limitations of this solution.”
❏ widen your thinking back out to the environmental issue discussed in the context
❏ describe a real life application/solution for your environmental issue, based on the
findings of your study
❏ justify your suggested solution by providing evidence to support it
❏ evaluate potential benefits, drawbacks and limitations were your solution suggestion
implemented
❏ can you find any literature/real life examples like this solution? how effective were they?
WORKS CITED
❏ proper MLA format
❏ several relevant sources, appropriate for DP level