Experimental Design: IB Biology

Before you start, remember the following terms…

Independent Variable (IV) – What the scientist manipulates (changes). There can only be ONE.
Dependent Variable (DV) – What the scientist measures. There can only be ONE.
Controlled Variable (CV) – What the scientist keeps constant. There are MANY - include AS MANY AS
POSSIBLE.
If it’s not the IV or DV, it must be a controlled variable.

Title:

Examining/Investigating the effect of (IV) on (DV).

 Do NOT include a title page. Begin your report on line 1 with the Title and move into the Introduction.

Research Question:

How do(es) (IV – include the range used) affect (DV- include units)?

Introduction/ Background Research:

Provide some context for the investigation by discussing the following questions.
 Why are you interested in this topic?
 Why does it matter?
 Why do you feel this topic is worth investigating?

Conduct research to provide information so that the reader can have an understanding of the science involved in
the investigation. Include in-text citations for all sourced information.
Include details related to the following aspects of the investigation.
 What is the DV, why did you select this DV and how is it relevant to biology?
 What is the IV why did you select this IV and how is it relevant to biology?
 How are the two variables expected to interact or be related to each other?

Hypothesis:

Alternative hypothesis (H1):

If (planned change in IV), then (predicted change in DV). I think (restate relationship above), because
(reasoning supported by relevant research).

Use the library databases and Google Scholar to find peer-reviewed journal articles that connect with your
background knowledge to support your prediction AND cite sources using in-text citations

Variables:

Independent Identify the variable (including units).

Variable Outline how you plan to manage or manipulate it. Explain why you have chosen the
range you plan to investigate.
Dependent Variable Identify the variable (including units).
 Outline how you plan to measure any changes observed.
Controlled Identify the variable (including units).
Variables
(as many as Outline how it could affect the DV and how you plan to keep it constant or eliminate its
possible) influence.
Uncontrolled Identify the variable (including units).
Variables Explain why it is uncontrollable and how much influence you expect it to have on your
(Identify 2-3) DV.

Materials:

Include a detailed list of materials (including quantities) needed to carry out data collection.

Name of resource (and size if relevant) # ex. 250 mL beaker 5

Name of resource (and size if relevant) # ex. fresh spinach leaves 20 g
Name of resource (and size if relevant) # ex. distilled water 1L
Name of resource (and size if relevant) # ex. HDI rankings from http://hdr.undp.org/

Procedure:

Step-by-step instructions (written in third person and past tense) to carry out the data collection for this
experiment so that it could be repeated. Include relevant images and refer to them by “Figure #: caption”.
Do NOT begin with “Collect materials”.

1.
2.
3.
↓ Add additional steps as necessary.

Carry out the “Grandma Test” to determine whether your Procedure is sufficiently detailed. If your Grandma
(or anyone else) could repeat the process without any help, all is good. If she needs help, add supporting
detail.

Justification, Risk Assessment and Ethical Considerations:

 Include a short section (2-4 sentences) justifying why the method you have chosen to measure your DV
was the most appropriate. For example, if you are using a sampling method to collect data, explain why
you have chosen that specific method rather than any other.
 Include a section describing how you have ensured that your investigation is both safe (for all aspects of the
environment) and ethical (animal experimentation policy and/or data privacy). If there are aspects of the
investigation that are inherently unsafe, be sure to outline how you plan to manage the risk.
 Include a section outlining any ethical issues that need to be considered. For example, if you have decided
to work with animals, explain how you have adhered to the IB’s Animal Experimentation Policy.