Grade 10: Criteria D and E Laboratory Write-up Template and Helpsheet

This template and helpsheet is based on level 5-6 of MYP Science criteria D and E. This tool is NOT a substitute for reading and understanding the criteria themselves.

TITLE OF LABORATORY Research Question or Problem: Contains both independent and dependent variable Focused Clearly written Hypothesis: Contains both independent and dependent variable (as in research question) Able to be tested Explanation of Hypothesis or Background Information: Uses scientific reasoning/theory to explain the hypothesis [explain: to give a detailed account of causes, reasons or mechanisms] Materials/Apparatus: Complete list of materials for the lab Detailed (e.g. 100 mL beaker, not just beaker) Contains a detailed, fully labeled diagram (or picture) of set-up D1

D1

D1

D2

Variables (Fair Testing): D2 Contain all relevant variables (independent, dependent and controlled) Depending on the type of variable, describes how the variabled is manipulated, measured or controlled A good format to use is an expandable table like the one that follows: Type of Variable Variable How the Variable is Manipulated, Measured or Controlled

Method: In a step-by-step, logical format (e.g. 1, 2, 3 or a, b, c) Explains how variables will be manipulated, measured or controlled Detailed enough that another student could get the same results without talking to you Describes how the data will be collected Describes how the data will be processed Data Collection: Data collected is relevant to the research question and hypothesis Sufficient number of data points and sufficient number of trials for each data point Logical, clear data table with labels and units

D2

E1

Data Analysis: E2 Data transformed correctly into numerical forms and/or visual forms [transforming data: involves processing raw data into a form suitable for visual presentation. May involve combining and manipulating data (e.g. adding, subtracting, squaring or dividing) and/or taking the average of several measurements. If data is already in a suitable form, then drawing a best-fit line graph could be an adequate transformation.] [numerical forms: may include mathematical calculations such as averaging or determining values from a graph or a table.] [visual forms: may include drawing graphs of various types appropriate to the kind of data being displayed.] All calculation steps of analysis are shown clearly and are correct All graphs are correctly done and clearly labeled Conclusion: Describes the trend, pattern or relationship in the data E3 [describe: to give a detailed account.] Comments on the reliability of the data (e.g. is the data good enough to fully support the conclusion?) Draws a clear and correct conclusion based on the data E4 Explains conclusion using scientific reasoning and linking to hypothesis when possible Based on outcome of investigation, comments on whether or not hypothesis was valid D4 Evaluation: Evaluates the method, and comments on both D3 o Reliability of the method, and [reliability of the method: refers to whether the method allows for the collection of sufficient reliable data to answer the question. This depends on a) the measuring instrument(s), b) the size of the sample, c) the sampling techniques used and d) the number of readings.] o Validity of the method [validity of the method: refers to whether the method allows for the collection of sufficient valid data to answer the question. This includes factors such as a) whether the measuring instrument measures what it is supposed to measure, b) the conditions of the experiment and c) the manipulation of variables (fair testing).] Improvements to Method: Suggests realistic improvements to method. A suggested format is as follows: Weakness or Problem with Method Suggested Improvement to Method Make suggestions for further investigation