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Appendix 3: Guidance on carrying out and writing up MYP 1

scientific investigations (criteria B and C)

Title
• Give the investigation a title; for example,‘ Properties of Springs’.

Problem/Research question (criterion B I)

• Outline what you are trying to find out; for example, ‘How does the weight on a spring affect its length?
I am interested in the type of relationship and whether the amount of weight used makes any difference to
the length of the spring.’

Prediction (Hypothesis) (criterion B II)

• Outline what you think is going happen in your investigation; for example, ‘My hypothesis is that the spring
will stretch as I put more weights on it.’
• Use your scientific knowledge to explain why you think this will happen; for example, ‘I think it will stretch
because a force will cause the particles of the spring to separate.’

Variables (criterion B III)

• To do a fair test, you must only change one variable at a time.
• Write down the variable you will measure (dependent variable); for example, length of spring.
• Write down the variables that you will change (independent variables); for example, weights put on the
spring, length of spring.
• Write down the variables that you will keep the same while doing your investigation (control variables); for
example, the spring you use.

Experimental method (criterion B III and IV)

• List all the materials and equipment you will use.
• Design a logical, complete and safe method, showing the materials and equipment you have selected. Include
a special section on the safety issues. Drawing a diagram will often help you explain what you want to do.
• Include what range of measurements you will take and/or the size of the sample, and how often you will
repeat readings.
• Your plan also needs to include an explanation of how you will control and manipulate the variables and
how you will collect sufficient and relevant data. Describe how you will process the data.
• Sometimes you might need to carry out a preliminary experiment to check that your plan actually works.
You might need to alter some aspects of your initial plan.

Results (criterion C I)
• Collect, organise and present all your observations or measurements (data) carefully and fully; use a well-
labelled table, including correct column headings and units.
• Draw an appropriate graph of your results if they include numbers.
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Conclusion and explanation (criterion C II and III)

• Accurately interpret your data; that is, what does your data tell you about your original research question?
Comment on any patterns in your results. If you have numbers and a graph, discuss the shape of the line
and the relationship it shows between the variables. This is your conclusion. Make sure you explain your
conclusion, showing good scientific understanding.
• When writing your conclusion, construct a well thought out and reflective argument based on careful
consideration of your evidence. Is your evidence good enough? If you feel your results don’t really provide
enough evidence to make a firm conclusion, then say so.
• Evaluate your prediction (hypothesis) – did it prove to be valid based on your results?
• Note: Where a result seems to be out of place and does not keep to the pattern, it is called an anomaly.
(Perhaps a mistake was made in the reading.) You should discuss these results, and suggest reasons for their
presence, but don’t use them in making your conclusion.

Evaluation (criterion C IV and V)

• How well do you think your method worked? Did you have any problems you dealt with while carrying out
the experiment?
• Validity: Did you collect sufficient valid data to answer the question? Did the instruments measure what they
were meant to? What errors were there in your measurements? Was it truly a fair test? Did you repeat your
readings enough times? Was your sample well chosen and large enough?
• Improvements: Write down how you might make your investigation better, especially to improve the validity
or to obtain more reliable evidence. Write down any further experiments you could carry out to get more
evidence or to extend this investigation.