Lab Reports

Research Question

A good research question for an IB lab report should be specific, focused, and testable within the scope of the experiment. It should clearly identify the independent and dependent variables while being framed in a way that allows for measurable outcomes. The question should avoid vague or overly broad phrasing, ensuring it guides the investigation and aligns with the experiment’s objectives. Additionally, it should demonstrate relevance to the scientific concept or topic being studied, encouraging critical analysis and exploration of relationships between variables.

Examples:

• How does the concentration of hydrogen peroxide affect the rate of reaction catalyzed by catalase?
  
  • Focuses on a measurable reaction rate as a dependent variable, influenced by hydrogen peroxide concentration.
• What is the effect of varying light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis in Elodea plants?
  
  • Clearly links light intensity (independent variable) with the rate of photosynthesis (dependent variable).
• How does changing the angle of a ramp affect the time taken for a toy car to travel a fixed distance?
  
• Investigates the relationship between ramp angle (independent variable) and time (dependent variable), which is directly measurable.