Today, BartyED’s expert IB Physics tutors break down everything an IB Physics student needs to know before tackling their IA, complete with tips to help. 

The Internal Assessment, or IA, is a compulsory component of the International Baccalaureate. The IA is a piece of written coursework that accounts for 20% of each student's final assessment, and is evaluated internally by a teacher, and externally moderated by the IB. For their IA, IB Physics students must design a scientific investigation in an area of personal interest, carry out an experiment, and generate a detailed lab report that is between 6 and 12 pages in length. All work must be commensurate with the student’s current level of study, and is graded for personal engagement, exploration, analysis, evaluation, and communication. 

The IA allows IB Physics students the opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge that they have gained thus far in their studies. Additionally, it enables students to explore their own personal interests and reflect on their role as learners.

IB Physics students who are preparing to start their IA should begin by considering what it is that they find engaging about the subject. As this is the first assessment criteria, there is no better place to begin. Reflect on areas of prior study and ask, what did I enjoy about this, or, what do I want to know more about. 

It’s important to understand, however, that ‘personal engagement’ is not only about finding something interesting and writing a lab report. The IB wants to see evidence of active learning. Teachers and external moderates are looking for indications of  independent thinking, as well as creativity or initiative in the designing, implementation or presentation of the investigation. 

After settling on an area of personal interest, the next stage in a student’s IA is developing a Research Question.

A well developed Research Question, commonly abbreviated to RQ, forms the basis of a high scoring Physics IA. If an RQ is lacking, then the lab report to follow will be equally so. Students must make sure that their Research Question represents a diploma-level investigation that is suitably demanding, and is relevant to the IB Physics syllabus. Additionally, there must also be a clear, real-world application to the investigation, which should be evident from the RQ. 

Balancing all of this can be challenging. Consequently, students may struggle to formulate an appropriate IA Research Question. The best approach is to take a look at examples that highlight some common pitfalls of a Physics RQ and consider how these can be avoided. 

Weak Research Question: Is the refractive index of water affected by dissolving sugar?

What makes this stand out as a weaker example of an RQ is the lack of any variables. Without variables this is very much a straight up-and-down question with little room for nuance within the investigation. However, it must be said that it does hit an important mark in regard to an IB Physics IA. This being the fact that it makes specific mention of ‘refractive index’, and thereby referencing content covered within the syllabus.  

Strong Research Question:  An investigation of the effect of different concentrations of dissolved sugar on the refractive index of water.

Here, the presence of variables is clear, which is commensurate with what is expected from an IB-level investigation. The reference to previously acquired knowledge is also maintained, thus creating a significantly more well-rounded Research Question. 

Weak Research Question: How does temperature affect the internal resistance of a battery?

With the inclusion of the term ‘internal resistance’, this question contains a reference to IB-level content, which is positive. However, once again there is no mention of variables. Additionally, the question lacks specificity. There is no indication as to what type of battery will be involved in the investigation. 

Strong Research Question: Exploring the effect of ambient temperature on the internal resistance of zinc-carbon batteries under different electrical loads.

It is clear to see that this represents a stronger RQ, much more in keeping with IB expectations. Specific reference is made to ‘ambient temperature’ as well as the introduction of a variable, in this case different electrical loads. Finally, it is made clear that the investigation concerns zinc-carbon batteries. Not only does this add greater specificity, but zinc-carbon batteries are more affected by temperature than alkaline batteries, and this effect is even greater under high electrical loads. Therefore, the relationship between internal resistance and temperature/electrical load may form a nonlinear relationship that cannot be easily predicted and is, therefore, worthy of investigation.

The next stages of a student’s IA is an analysis and evaluation of their data and methodology.

IB Physics students must present evidence that they have selected, recorded, and interpreted data in ways that are relevant to their RQ, and can support a conclusion. They must show clearly the relevance of the raw data they have collected, as well as how the data was processed, how the impact of uncertainty was accounted for within the experiment, and, finally, whether or not the data process was interpreted correctly to deduce a conclusion. 

Students must also provide an assessment of their investigation and the results, both in relation to their Research Question and the accepted scientific context. To achieve this, students must point to the strengths and weaknesses of their investigation, and detail realistic and relevant ways in which to improve and build upon their work.

With any luck, these tips will help you along with your Physics IA. There is no disputing that it is a challenging piece of work. However, it’s important to bear in mind that it is not an insurmountable task. At BartyED, we've found that students often have difficulties with the Internal Assessment because they lack the right guidance. This is where an experienced IB Physics tutors can make all the difference. 

If you feel that you could benefit from extra support, check out our website here for more information on our IB Physics teaching programmes, or reach out today at (852) 2882 1017 or enquiries@bartyed.com.

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