Everything You Need to Know about MYP Science Lab Report
What Are MYP Science Lab Reports?
MYP (Middle Year Programme) science lab reports are a document that allows MYP students to present and evaluate their findings from scientific experiments. These lab reports allow MYP science learners to focus on the process of scientific inquiry, rather than just the accuracy of their results. For example, their ability to create a testable hypothesis; conduct safe, and logical experiments; process raw data; evaluate the effectiveness of their methods; and draw conclusions from their results.
With a core focus on the key skills of inquiring, designing, processing, and evaluating, the structure of an MYP science lab report effectively guides students through the application of the scientific method.
How Are MYP Science Lab Reports Assessed?
In MYP science, assessments are graded using four equally weighted criterions (A-D). MYP Science lab reports are structured around Criteria B (Inquiring and Designing) and C (Processing and Evaluating). For each criteria, students will receive a grade from 1-7.
Criteria B assesses MYP science students on their ability to develop intellectual and practical skills through designing, analysing, and performing their scientific investigation. This includes a detailed account within their MYP science lab report of the problem that is being investigated (their research question, or RQ) and its relation to their current topic of study.
For Criteria C, MYP learners are graded on their ability to collect, process, and interpret data, both qualitative and quantitative. Data collected from their experiments should be correctly organised in accurate tables and graphs within the MYP science lab report, and students must explain exactly how their conclusions have been reached.
How Is an MYP Science Lab Report Structured?
An MYP Science lab report has several key components. MYP students should begin with their title, research question, and relevant background information. This background information typically includes a justification of the student’s choice of variables and an explanation of the scientific concepts that will be addressed within their MYP science lab report.
An MYP lab report should then outline the student’s hypothesis, the purpose of their research and investigation, and their independent, dependent, and control variables. This should in turn be preceded by a step-by-step description of the methods used, including a list of the investigation’s materials and apparatus.
After a detailed description of their method, MYP science students should record the raw data measured during their experiment. This data must then be processed into a more structured format. For example, an average or percentage which students will record using a table or graph.
Finally, an MYP science lab report should end with a conclusion, evaluation, and bibliography. Within their conclusion, MYP learners should address their hypothesis, determining the nature of the relationship between their independent and dependent variables. Students should also evaluate both the strengths and weaknesses of their experiment, and any further investigations that could be conducted based on these limitations.
How to Write a Research Question?
An MYP science lab report should always begin with a title and research question. A report’s title should be a concise description of the experiment’s key variables.
For example, ‘The Effect of [Independent Variable] on [Dependent Variable]’.
The question that stems from the report’s title and that the student will try to answer through their experiment, conclusion, and hypothesis is the research question. Research questions are often a testable phrase such as, ‘How does [Independent Variable] affect [Dependent Variable]?’
Initially, MYP science students must ensure that their research question is clear and focused. This means that its purpose is easily understood and that it is also specific enough to be evaluated thoroughly within the limited space that the lab report allows. Yet, MYP learners must also ensure that their research question is complex enough to facilitate detailed analysis of their ideas and findings. In other words, it should not be able to be addressed with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer.
Using Graphs and Tables to Present Processed Data
Within their lab reports, MYP science students should use both a graph and table to present their processed data.
Firstly, separate tables should be used to organise both raw and processed data. The data measured during an experiment can be collected using a clearly organised table. After this data has been processed, MYP science learners will need to present it in a second table, from which they draw both their graph and conclusion.
Using processed data, a graph should also be created to show the results of the experiment. Depending on the type of data produced, this could be a line graph, scatter plot, or a bar or pie chart. However, all must feature a descriptive title and properly labeled axes with the correct units of measurement (the independent variable goes on the x-axis, and the dependent variable on the y-axis).
Common Mistakes
A common mistake MYP science students routinely make when drafting their MYP lab reports is opening with both a vague and overly broad research question. Research questions should include specific variables and provide a clear indication of what will be tested during the experiment.
Common errors can also occur when processing and presenting data. For example, when organising their processed data, MYP science learners must not simply add a section to their raw data table. Instead, their lab report should include a separate table to ensure clarity.
Finally, MYP students must ensure that their evaluation has sufficient detail. Rather than briefly addressing their research question and stating the trend, students should reflect on exactly why this happened. Within their lab report, it is important that MYP science learners discuss any errors which occurred during their investigation and how they affected the reliability of the data.
BartyED Tutors and MYP Support
MYP science lab reports are undoubtedly a daunting task. Rather than simply documenting their results, MYP students are required to demonstrate analytical reasoning and a high-quality evaluation of their findings. It is a lengthy process that demands organisation, time-management, and independent thought.
At BartyED, our team of experienced tutors understand the challenges that MYP science lab reports present, and have guided innumerable students through both the complex data analysis and rigid structural demands. Through personalised, targeted lessons, MYP students are able to master complex scientific concepts, refine their technical writing, and demonstrate a high-level of scientific inquiry within their reports.
If you think that your child’s lab report could benefit from the expert guidance of a BartyED MYP Science tutor, contact us today at (+852) 2882 1017 or enquiries@bartyed.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Within the MYP’s A-D assessment system, science lab reports focus on Criteria B (Inquiring and Designing) and C (Processing and Evaluating).
-
The MYP science lab report is graded on a scale between 1 and 7, with 7 representing the highest score.
-
A well-formulated research question is essential to a highly marked MYP science lab report. The research question forms the basis for the entire enquiry.
-
Utilising graphs and tables allows for the organised presentation of data and, so, is crucial to any high marked lab report.