IB Biology Checklist for Lab Report

In order to be able to achieve high marks for the individual investigation criteria you need to be
able to answer YES to the following questions.

PERSONAL ENGAGEMENT
QUESTIONS
Does the report show evidence of your personal engagement with the chosen
topic?
Does your report demonstrate clear evidence of independent thinking, initiative
and insight?
Have you justified your reasons for choosing the topic you are investigating?
Does your report demonstrate personal input and initiative in the design,
implementation and presentation of the investigation?

YES

EXPLORATION
QUESTIONS
Does the title clearly identify what the investigation is about?
Is the research question relevant and fully focused?
Is the research question carefully worded to include the dependent and
independent variables?
Are the dependent, independent and controlled variables fully specified in
detail?
Is your research question accompanied by appropriate, relevant and properly
referenced background theory that enhances the context of the investigation?
You may write a hypothesis but you must explain it.
Has all the apparatus been listed to include details of sizes and uncertainties of
measurement?
Is there a clear, labelled diagram of the experimental apparatus?
Have you stated the reasons for using the apparatus chosen?
Have all chemicals and materials been listed with specific amounts, units and
concentrations?
Does your report show appropriate evidence of the significant safety, ethical and
environmental issues that are relevant to the methodology of the investigation?
Have you stated the dependent variable clearly and specified precisely what you
will be measuring? (NB it must be quantitative)
Have you stated the independent variable(s) clearly and specified details of
quantities/concentrations/temperatures etc?
Are there at least 5 different independent variable groups?
Are there at least 5 repeats of each independent variable group?
Are all relevant controlled variables stated and how they are to be kept constant
explained?
Have you explained the likely effects of these variables on the results and
conclusions expected?
Are all the runs and repeats of the experiment clearly stated?
Have you included any preliminary experimental evidence in your planning?
Is you method clear and does it include all relevant details?

ANALYSIS

YES

QUESTIONS

YES

Does your report include sufficient relevant quantitative and qualitative raw data
that will support a detailed and valid conclusion to the research question?
Is the raw data presented in neat and easy to follow tables with appropriate
titles, clear row and column headings and units?
Is each table printed on one page only?
Are all uncertainties of measurement and degrees of precision of any measuring
devices used (+/-) clearly stated?
Does the report fully and appropriately consider the impact of measurement
uncertainty on the analysis of the data?
Is the use of decimal places consistent throughout?
Has any relevant descriptive/qualitative data been included?
Has the raw data been properly and appropriately processed with the degree of
accuracy required to enable a conclusion to the research question to be drawn
that is fully consistent with the experimental data?
Have you described the processing (state the formulae used and give sample
calculations) and given reasons for your choice?
Calculations of means and standard deviations and the drawing of graphs
should be done as a matter of course. Other relevant data processing can
included statistical analysis (t-test, X-squared, correlation coefficients, rate
calculations, diversity index etc.)
Is the processed data presented properly in tables and/or graphs?
Are the graph axes clearly labelled with units and uncertainties?
Do the graphs have clearly identified error bars?

EVALUATION
QUESTIONS

YES

Have you analysed the raw and processed data to identify any trends and
patterns?
Have you described your findings?
Have you described and justified a clear conclusion which is relevant to the
research question and supported by the data presented?
Have you scientifically justified your conclusion and compared your findings
and conclusions to the accepted scientific context (eg literature values)?
Have you properly referenced the literature used in footnotes on each page and
in the references stated at the end of the account?
Have you stated the strengths and weaknesses in the experimental method that
may impact on the conclusion reached?
Have you discussed the quality, reliability and limitations of the data collected
and presented and considered any possible sources of error?
Have you discussed any systematic and random errors present in the
experimental design or in the data collected?
Have you suggested realistic and relevant modifications and improvements to
the experiment?
Are these modifications and improvements directly related to the weaknesses
identified earlier?
Are your suggestions for improvement specific and detailed?
Have you suggested possible ways in which the investigation could be
extended?

COMMUNICATION
QUESTIONS
Is the presentation of your investigation clear so that a reader can fully

YES

understand the methodology, data, conclusions and evaluation?

Are there any errors that hamper the readers understanding of the focus, process
and outcomes of the investigation?
Is your report well structured and clear with all relevant information on focus,
process and outcomes presented in a coherent way?
Is your report relevant and concise so that it facilitates a ready understanding of
the focus, process and outcomes of the investigation?
Is your use of subject specific terminology appropriate and correct?
Have you followed the correct conventions for presentation of raw and
processed data?
Have you followed the correct conventions for length of report (6 to 12 pages),
references, footnotes, page numbering, appendices?