DP+Bio+Internal+Assessments

IAs - Design - Data Collection and Processing - Conclusion and Evaluation

Internal Assessment

 * @Introducing labs** - this series of activities and resources is aimed at students who are about to carry out their first quantitative lab for the DP

All group 4 sciences use the IA component to assess how good you are at using the scientific method to investigate a scientific principle or idea. It is a key part of Biology, both fun and challenging. You are asked to be creative, reflective and methodical to succeed.
 * Internal Assessments and Biology**

[|i-Biology] is a great resource [|this excellent Excel spreadsheet] in particular is a great help when working through DCP [|The Open Door Website - Biology] [|Hart Online IB Biology]
 * Useful Links:**
 * [|Help From the DCS Bridge]**

Review the links and helpful info on how to use MLA on the DCS library wikispace. MLA is just one convention used to reference your sources. The most important thing is that you are consistent in your approach and that you are honest about which sources you have used and where.
 * Citing sources**

WritingHelp-Central [|summarises the MLA rules]; the overall paper format is not important for IAs, but the rest of the information is relevant.

[|Son of Citation Machine] is very useful and can create citations quickly and easily from 13 number ISBN codes or URLs

The internal assessments are worth 24% of your IB Biology grade.
 * The Bottom Line**

There are 5 criteria:
 * Design (D)
 * Data Collection and Processing (DCP)
 * Conclusion and Evaluation (CE)
 * Manipulative Skills (MS)
 * Personal Skills (PS)

D, DCP and CE are each assessed twice (by submitting between 2 and 6 lab reports) MS is assessed in an ongoing way throughout the course PS is assessed during the group 4 project

Each individual assessment is worth 6 marks therefore DCP is worth 12 in total, 2 assessments worth 6 each.

The criteria and what is needed to achieve full marks in each can be found in the [|IBO's subject guide]

N.B. Not every lab you do will be examined against the 'BIG 3' (D, DCP and CE). Certain lab are only suited to certain criteria. You will build up your skills gradually starting with just DCP then DCP in conjunction with CE. When you are confident at writing up lab reports based on a given method you will be ready to design your own.

This area is much misunderstood by students and can hinder both manipulating data and writing a conclusion/evaluation of an experiment. Review the presentation, make your own notes and refer back to it whenever designing or writing up a lab report media type="custom" key="23698616"
 * Uncertainty and Errors**

This template is useful for organising your report into relevant sections. It is not a replacement for the advice given here and should be used in conjunction with it: media type="custom" key="25133116" Box download link
 * Writing up lab reports**

This rubric (adapted from one produced by [|i-Biology.net]) will be used to mark your work and give feedback. Make sure you use it to review your lab report before handing it in: media type="custom" key="23698612"

More details of the Dos and Don'ts of lab report writing can be found under each of the three criteria you'll be writing up:
 * Design - Data Collection and Processing - Conclusion and Evaluation**

Before you start the lab report be aware of the criteria you are being marked against (either on the [|rubric] or on [|the subject guide]) and just as importantly review your theory notes related to the lab. Use the Dos and Don'ts to guide your write-up, refer to them as your writing your report and afterwards when you review it. Both as you write the lab report and afterwards when you check it use either the framework (above) or the [|rubric] to make sure you have not missed anything.

I highly recommend two checking strategies before handing in a lab report:
 * 1) Have a cup of coffee: distance yourself from the report you've just finished. Walk away and come back to it with fresh eyes and you'll see short comings that you missed before.
 * 2) Ask a classmate to read through it: they are viewing to your lab report for the first time and will more easily spot what you have missed and what doesn't make sense.

Consult with your teacher and make sure your lab is both safe to carry out and is ethical, i.e. does not cause undue harm or alter the natural behaviour of the animals (including people) involved.
 * Safety and Ethics**

Secondly if you are using human subjects make sure you use the BioK consent form and talk them through the lab as outlined on the form.