PYTR Class

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ESS IA Rubric

Report Format

In general, a science report should have these headings:

• RQ
• Background information
• Variables
• Methodology
• Safety, ethical and environmental considerations
• Results (qualitative and quantitative)
• Analysis
• Conclusion
• Evaluation
• Bibliography
• Appendix

Download this word template:

Simplified Steps in Writing IA

Step 1: How to formulate a clear and focus RQ?

1. Identify the variables
   • IV
   • DV
   • CVs
2. Now, use the template:

“How do/does [changing] IV of [sample] affect DV at CVs ”

Example:

• IV: temperature
• DV: Rate of photosynthesis
• CVs: (1) species of plant, (2) time

RQ:

“How does increasing the temperature (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50^oC) of garden mint plant affect the rate of photosynthesis by the number of bubbles produced over 2 hours?”

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Step 2: How to write your background information??

1. Identify a local or global environmental issue related to your IA RQ
2. Explain the connection thoroughly using key concepts (PSS)
3. Explain the local or global issue by mentioning what problems they have caused and will cause

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Step 3: How to write strategy and tension?

1. Describe strategies that have been implemented in local or global level to solve the environmental issue – can use 5W1H – then link with your RQ
2. Explain how the strategies mentioned above have caused tension (arguments) between different stakeholders – use the following aspects:
   • Eco
   • Culture
   • Social
   • Politic
   • Environment

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Step 4: Write your methodology

1. Can write bullet point:
   • Step by step on how you conduct your investigation. Pictures and screenshots are helpful!
   • Don’t miss any step
   • The steps should be repeatable by another researcher
   • The method should allow you to collect data that will answer the RQ
2. Write a small paragraph about your considerations on how your investigation might affect or be affected by:
   • Safety
   • Ethical
   • Environmental

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Step 5: How to present your data

1. Create a table to organise your raw data. There should be a column at the end of each trial to show the average value among trials
   • The calculation and other data processing should be demonstrated at least once (one cycle)
2. Often time, another table is needed to consolidate your processed values. This could be a good opportunity to show errors and uncertainties
   • Uncertainties can be shown in a form of absolute or percentage
3. Draw a graph
   • Use an app or software
   • A statistical investigation would beed to be analysed using statistical tool such as ANOVA. Note that not all investigations require this tool.

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Step 6: Analysis and Conclusion

1. Analysis
   • Describe the overall patterns and explain this using scientific and societal concepts
   • Describe highlights, anomaly etc — then explain again
   • Use your data and graph to support your claim or argument
2. Conclusion
   • Conclude your finding and answer the research question. MUST link back to the environmental issues and RQ
   • Try to go back to ESS concepts: perspective, system and sustainability

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Step 7: Evaluation and Bibliography

1. Evaluation
   • Identify which step in your methodology that has a weakness and cause some issues in precision or/and accuracy
   • Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of this step
   • Suggest a way to improve this. And evaluate your new method
   • [repeat the same cycle for other errors and weak step in methodology]
   • Describe unresolved questions in your conclusion. Any un-improved or undisputed issues in your conclusion
2. Bibliogrpahy
   • No specific referencing is favoured although one 1 is allowed to be used throughout the report