Internal Assessment: Scientific Investigation Individual Report
Internal assessment is the individual scientific investigation: a report of about 10 hours of practical work, marked out of 24 using the criteria for research question, background, methodology, data collection, analysis, evaluation and communication. The exam does not test it as a written paper, but your report must show independent thinking, controlled variables, appropriate uncertainty treatment and a conclusion tied to the research question.
Core rules
- The research question must identify independent and dependent variables and be testable with available apparatus.
- Background should use physics equations to justify the method and predictions.
- Methodology must allow repeat measurements, control of variables and a suitable range.
- Record raw data with instrument uncertainty and correct significant figures.
- Analyse trends with a suitable graph; linearise if needed to extract a gradient.
- Evaluate random and systematic errors separately and suggest realistic improvements.
Worked example
A weak question is: How does temperature affect resistance? A stronger version is: How does the temperature of a nichrome wire, measured with a digital thermometer (±0.5 °C), affect its resistance, determined from simultaneous current and potential difference measurements, over 20–80 °C? This names the independent variable, the dependent variable, the instrument, the range and the method. The analysis would calculate R = V/I, plot R against T, and use the gradient with the temperature coefficient.
Traps
A vague question cannot score well because variables and method are unclear. Do not claim a linear relationship from a curved graph or ignore uncertainty when comparing values. Systematic errors shift all readings in one direction and are not reduced by averaging. Keep citations for published values and never present someone else’s data as your own.