Writing up the Individual Investigation

These are just a few general guidelines that may help you when you write your investigation.

Remember that you also have a pink sheet from about a month or so ago titled:

“A2 – Individual Investigation – Additional Guidance”. That is advice directly from the exam board so do what it advises!! This sheet does not repeat what was written on that one.

Write it up in five sections:

1. Introduction
2. Planning
3. Results and observations (“Implementing” in mark scheme speak)
4. Analysis
5. Evaluation

The following points are important to bear in mind in each section:

Introduction

8      At the very beginning, on a separate page, write the equation for your reaction (if this is appropriate) and state a clear aim of what you intend to investigate.

8      The aim should be presented as a series of brief, specific bullet points.

8      Cover the relevant chemical theory. However, it is vital that you relate it directly to your investigation at every stage and explain how you are using that theory in your plan. (There should be lots of “So, in my investigation……..” type sentences)

Planning

J     Make your plan(s) clear and easy to follow.

J     An introduction explaining the general ideas behind each method may be useful.

J     Tables to show quantities of chemicals used etc.. are frequently very helpful.

J     Be sure to pay attention to fine details such as quantities, concentrations, units, number and range of experiments.

J     You need a section where you justify what you are doing. This should include justifications of your choices of chemicals, concentrations, volumes or amounts (whichever are appropriate), equipment, number of repeats, the variables you are changing, etc…

J     If/when you change your methods explain how and why you changed it, show your results for the experiments that “didn’t work” and show clearly what the final, successful method was. Even if the changes are made at a very early stage, or if it is just a change of concentration.

J     Do a clear and relevant risk assessment for your chemicals (including the products).

Results and Observations

á      Present your raw and processed data in clear tables (Processed data is best in the Analysis section). Give them headings to indicate which experiment the results are from (not just “Experiment 2c” for example)

á      Ensure they are presented in a clear and logical way that is easy to follow (some sort of commentary is useful as opposed to just pages of results tables)

á      You need to show tables of all your raw data, not just averages or final results.

Analysis

M   Any calculations need to be shown. You must give an example (with working) of how things have been calculated (e.g. concentrations, yields, rates, k, etc..) but there is no need to show every single calculation that you do.

M   Tables of this processed data need to be clearly presented and, as in the Results section, need to be given descriptive headings rather than just “Experiment 2c”, for example.

M   Graphs also need to be in this section; again, ensure there is some sort of commentary to explain what the graphs are showing and what conclusions can be drawn from them.

M   This section also includes all the conclusions.

M   You must state clearly what you have found out, but this is far from all you need in this section.

M   Explain what you have found out using the appropriate chemistry and discuss the validity of your results and what they mean.

Evaluation

F Your observations and measurements need to be interpreted in a critical way.

F If any parts didn’t work or didn’t behave as you had expected, try to explain why this might have been.

F Make it clear if there are any limitations to the accuracy/reliability/amount of evidence that you have obtained.

F Compare and discuss errors within each method and link these to a discussion of the relative merits of any different methods used is also very useful.

F You need to suggest ways in which your method(s) could be improved. These should be realistic but not simply be minor modifications you could have done anyway.

F A summary page of your conclusions is sometimes useful.

General Bits

©        Give the presentation some consideration – don’t squash everything up.

©        Word processing is not essential but does tend to make the work look neater, clearer and generally more professional-looking, as does putting it in some kind of binder.

©        Graphs can be drawn on computer (although it is not always the best idea) but you must draw the lines yourself.

©        Your work needs to be fully referenced to show exactly where you found your information. (This will apply to your Introduction, Plan and possibly your Analysis as well)

©        You don’t need an abstract.

©        You need to get this written up over Christmas as it must be handed in on Monday 14^th January and so you will have just a week back at school in which to ask us about any problems you may have encountered.

©        Remember – this is 15% of your final A-level grade and could quite easily be the difference between grades. It is also something where hard work and time spent is virtually always reflected in the mark you achieve, so it is crucial that you put in the maximum time and effort.

Good luck !!