The ULTIMATE Guide To A Grade 7 IB Physics Scientific 
Investigation

Welcome to the most useful resource for helping you maximise your marks in your IB Physics Scientific Investigation

Your Scientific Investigation is worth 20% of your final grade and boosting your score here, will give you the best chance when you sit your final exams.

Since 2004, I've helped literally thousands of IB Physics students with their IB Physics IA.

My first blog in 2013 contained 16 ideas and I was one of the very few people online offering any helping crafting a research question that works.

A lot has changed since that first blog post and I've made it my mission to provide the best IA guide possible!

So you may be wondering if this guide will really help you to guarantee that grade boost?

I promise this guide works. The reviews speak for themselves 😀

1. Choosing Your Research Question

This is your starting point for your IB Physics Scientific Investigation (formerly known as the Internal Assessment) and you'll want to choose a topic that will allow you to get a 7, for both SL and HL IB Physics.

Many students dive into the IB Physics syllabus and start to brainstorm IA ideas from there. You may also want to do this, but read through this guide first. I can save you a lot of time and ALL of my suggestions meet the requirements outlined in the IB Physics guide ✅

Here is everything you need to know about your IB Physics research question.

Does Your IB Physics IA Idea Have To Be 'Original' ?

Has your teacher said this to you?

Please let me ease your concerns here... YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE ORIGINAL!

Every year there are around 25,000 IB Physics students and every student will submit a scientific investigation. Everybody’s investigation has to be within the scope of the IB Physics syllabus.

Soooooo, it is pretty much impossible to get a topic/research question that is completely original.

Now you know the truth!

Choose a topic quickly, it doesn't have to be original and it won't have a significant effect on your grades. The key is to find a subject/topic that you enjoy. The examiner will be able to tell how involved and personally you have taken the project by how you develop your method and analysis.

I have 100 IB Physics Investigation ideas here you can choose from.

All Top-Scoring IB Physics Research Questions Have This Format

I tend to work by the advice from the most recent Examiner Reports published by the IBO. Their top-level advice is:

A top-scoring physics IA starts with a well-defined research question. 

In this section of the guide, I'll explain to you EXACTLY what a "well-defined" research question is. 

In the last few years the examiners have been keen to stress that multiple variables should not be investigated AND quantifiable variables should be included.

Here are some excerpts from the reports:

"Investigations with multiple independent variables should not be attempted."  "The best report had descriptive titles like "How temperature affects the coefficient of restitution of a bouncing ball" "Requires a well-defined research question with quantifiable variables."

With this advice in mind, a clear structure for your research question becomes obvious.

By formatting your research question in this style, you'll be able to:

• identify the independent and dependent variables quickly
• organise your method into fewer steps (less than 10 bullet points is advised)
• identify which graph should be plotted
• focus your background theory
• focus your conclusion and evaluation

This format meets all the guidance / advice from the examiners AND is more likely to produce a top-scoring report.

It's not always easy to format your chosen research question properly AND, guarantee that it will produce data that works, so I've made it my mission to craft the ULTIMATE LIST of 100 IB Physics IA Ideas 📋. Each of these 100 ideas are tried-and-tested and will produce data that allows a top-scoring IB Physics IA. 

Is It OK to Use A Topic That You've Found Online?

Examiners are absolutely fine with IB Physics students using an idea found online. The only request is that you reference this. You will not lose marks for using an idea below - your marks will be allocated for determining your method, acquiring data, analysis and report-writing.

Here are the Examiner's comment from the recent IB Physics subject report:

“One reason for the popularity of many investigations is that previous IA reports are easily accessible online. Whenever students use ideas from previous work they must make a clear reference to this, and they must acquire their own data, perform their own analysis, and write their own report.”

If you want to take may advice above to "choose a topic quickly", then you can simply pick one from my list of 100 IB Physics Scientific Investigation ideas here.

Remember that there are 25,000 students completing their physics IA every year. It is impossible to find a totally original IA topic - so don't stress out on that.

How To Write Your OWN Research Question

I've already covered the correct format for your IB Physics Scientific Investigation research question. I've also given you 100 ideas that meet the exact format.

If there IA Ideas are not for you - that's ok! If you would like to come up with your own topic that is more personal to you, I also have a pretty nifty method of crafting your own research question for your IB physics investigation in under 15 minutes. It's a simple step-by-step guide that has been popular since 2013. 

If you want to stand out from the crowd and write a research question about a subject you are passionate about - I've got you! Use this method to write your own IB Physics Investigation research question.

The Difference Between HL an SL Topics

I have honestly lost count of the emails I receive saying this...

Are you losing sleep over the supposed differences between SL and HL investigations? Well, you can rest easy!

The examiners won't know whether you're an SL or HL student. So, ditch the idea of coming up with an "HL-specific idea" and concentrate on conducting a solid investigation.

Please don’t waste time trying come up with an “HL idea”.

Collecting IB Physics Data: Start Here

The very first thing you should do when collecting your data is identity your variables. This will help you enormously when planning out your methodology for an IB Physics experiment, but will be especially important for your IB Physics IA.

I mentioned above that you should format your research question in the following format:

If you've used this format, then identification of variables is very easy

Independent Variable: The variable that you've chosen to change (i.e. *Variable X*).

Dependent Variable: The variable that changes as a result of Variable X changing (i.e. *Variable Y*).

Control Variables: Everything that needs stay the same to ensure a fair test.

I'll demonstrate with an example:

Once you've identified your variables, all you need to do is plan how to measure or control these variables.

Take one variable at a time and think how you can be as precise and accurate as possible.

Questions you can ask yourself are:

• Which apparatus should I use?
• What is the level of precision for this apparatus?
• Can I improve this precision?
• Does human error affect accuracy or precision of this apparatus?
• How can I minimise human error?
• Can I repeat results to decrease random error in increase accuracy?
• Am I limited to a particular range of values for this variable?
• What effect will a limited range of data have on my conclusion?

Many of these questions lend themselves better to a practical experiment; however, if you are using a simulation to collect data then I have compiled a list of 10 Questions To Ask Yourself If You Are Completing Your IB Physics IA Using a Simulation.

Collecting Data At Home

If you are completing your physics IA at home, you will not have access to the equipment that your school will have. Things like vernier callipers, oscilloscopes and voltmeters are unlikely to be lying around your house!

This will make your data collection more difficult, but certainly not impossible.

It is possible to get a top-scoring physics IA by completing your investigation at home.

You obviously have to choose your research question carefully. 

I have compiled a list of IB Physics Ideas that you can complete at home. These ideas use very simple equipment that you will find at home. They also make clever use of your smartphone as measuring instruments.

Collecting Data Using a Simulation

In recent years, there have been very few students who have chosen to submit their investigation based on a simulation or database. Most students opt to conduct a practical at school (or at home).

You may be wondering if examiners will penalise you for using a simulation to collect data. They don't! However, they do have some specific requirements:

“If a student uses a computer simulation for their IA it is crucial that they have an interesting and relevant approach to the analysis of the data generated. The data should be used to find some physical function or numerical value.”

This means that examiners are looking for you to be clever in your use of the simulation and justify using the simulation over a practical experiment.

Some of the challenges you might face when using a simulation to collect your data are:

• Finding a suitable simulation (preferably free!)
• Understanding the limitations of the simulation
• Adapting your research question to suit a simulation.

I've written an article that addresses all these challenges when using a simulation for your IB Physics IA here.

Group Work In Your IB Physics Investigation

The 2025 IB Physics syllabus encourages collaboration in the new version of the IB Physics IA.

The guidance is clear.

Work in groups, but remember, each member should focus on a different aspect of the investigation. This teamwork mirrors real-world scientific research, blending collaboration with individual analysis.

Rules of Group Work in the IB Physics Scientific Investigation:

1. Groups must be no larger than three students.
2. Teacher must make sure all students in the group engage equally 
3. Each student within the group should investigate their individual research question by manipulating a different independent variable from those selected by other group members (e.g. one student might choose "How does the volume of water affect the resonant frequency of a wine glass when struck by a constant force?" and the other student would choose "How does the temperature of water affect the resonant frequency of a wine glass when struck by a constant force?")
4. The final report presented for assessment is that of the individual student. A report by the group is not permitted.  

3: Writing Your Report

Once you've collected your data for your IB Physics Scientific Investigation - you're going to have to complete your report and write it up.....

I'll talk you through what to write in your report below, but I should tell you just how ridiculously useful TrIBe Physics will be for you at this stage too...

Follow This EXACT IB Physics IA Structure

Follow the EXACT structure of subheadings that I list below and you'll increase your chances of obtaining full marks in your Scientific Investigation for IB Physics.

1. Report Details
2. Introduction
3. Theory and Hypothesis
4. Variables
5. Diagram
6. Apparatus
7. Method
8. Raw Data
9. Processed Data
10. Graph
11. Analysis and Conclusion
12. Evaluation
13. References

This can be a pretty daunting prospect, but if you take each sub-section one at a time - you'll have your top-scoring report written up on no time.

This article goes into much more detail on what exactly should be written in each subtitle in your IB Physics Investigation and I recommend you spend some time reading through it. Alternatively, download the free PDF guide that accompanies this article. I've listed the full requirements of each subtitle in there.

Should You Include a Title Page?

There is no requirement to include a cover page or a contents page.

At the top of the first page, write the following:

1. Title of the investigation
2. IB candidate code (alphanumeric, for example, xyz123)
3. IB candidate code for all group members (if applicable)
4. Number of words

It should not be in fancy font! Just the same font as the rest of the report!

Just include the four data points listed above. Nothing else.

This information can be given in as little as 4 lines of text. You should not waste space, time and energy on creating a title page and contents.

In fact, I’d say that a title page and contents are a distraction to the examiner.

The investigations are marked digitally. If they have to keep scrolling back to the title page to remind themselves of the research question, it would be annoying.

Should Your Report Be Less Than 12 Pages Long?

In the past, I've given advice that the report should be 12 pages or less. That advice has changed.

 The following are not included in the word count of your IB Physics IA:

•  Charts and diagrams 
•  Data tables 
•  Equations, formulas and calculations 
•  Citations/references (whether parenthetical, numbered, footnotes or endnotes) 
•  Bibliography 
•  Headers

To produce an internal investigation of the quality the examiners are looking for - you can produce 3000 words within 12 pages. 

However, if it's 13 pages or 14 pages, that's okay. As long as you're not repeating things, blabbering on or being vague.

If you write with precision, the examiner will read more than 12 pages.

Don’t Lie…

You must state your word count at the start of the report. You might think that examiners will not check this. However, the way that artificial intelligence is moving, examiners will soon have a very quick tool to measure the word count exactly (including all the exceptions above).

Please ensure that you stick to the word count.

THIS Is How To Write Your Introduction

Ugggghhhhhh! There’s literally nothing worse than reading,

“I’m passionate about bungee jumping and the last time I stood on top of a bridge, about to leap, I suddenly thought that I could combine my fascination for SHM with bungee jumping. So I decided to investigate....”

As soon as the examiners see the words; passionate, fascinated, etc - they switch off.

Whilst there is a need to show some real-world significance, the examiner can spot 'fake enthusiasm' a mile off.

Equally, you shouldn't give a three page lecture on the importance of your research question, referencing 17 different scientific papers.

There's a subtle and fine line to getting the perfect introduction to you IB Physics Scientific Investigation.

You can write your IB Physics IA introduction in 5 sentences, following these 5 simple steps:

1. Clearly State the Research Question
2. Provide a brief overview of the investigation
3. Explain why the research question is important
4. Show your personal engagement
5. Be clear and concise

There's obviously a skill to perfecting your introduction, and I go into much more detail on how to use this step-by-step method to writing the perfect IB Physics IA Introduction here.

Let's Talk About Plagiarism

Your report will be scanned for plagiarism! BUT the reality is so much more than that.

It is the responsibility of your teacher to ensure that you understand the basic meaning and significance of concepts that relate to academic integrity, especially authenticity and intellectual property. Your teacher must ensure that your work for assessment is prepared according to the requirements.

Simply, your work must be entirely your own.

Where collaboration between students is permitted, it must be clear to you what the difference is between collaboration and collusion.

First your teacher will discuss your work with you, then your teacher will scrutinise:

• your initial proposal
• the first draft of the written work
• the references cited
• the style of writing compared with your usual style

Only THEN will your teacher submit the report to a web-based plagiarism detection service such as www.turnitin.com

It’s going to be very difficult to use someone else’s work and get away with it…


Example IB Physics IA Reports

If you want to know how to write your IB Physics IA, a great way to get an idea of what is expected is by using an example report.

If TrIBe Physics is not right for you, then numerous educational websites, including GradePod, offer access to these IB examples IA reports.

You can view an example of an IB Physics Scientific Investigation report here. This example will work for an SL or HL report.

Benefits of Using Example IA Reports

1. Understanding Expectations:
   Example reports provide clear insights into the expected structure, depth, and breadth of analysis. It will help demystify the requirements of the IA.
2. Quality Benchmarks:
   They serve as benchmarks for quality. By reviewing high-scoring IAs, you can identify what makes an investigation stand out, from the complexity of the topic chosen to the clarity of data presentation and the depth of analysis.
3. Formatting and Presentation:
   They help in understanding the formatting details—how to structure the report, present data, and cite sources, which are crucial for creating a professional-looking document.

Drawbacks of Using Example IA Reports

1. Risk of Plagiarism:
   There is a fine line between using examples as a guide and copying material. You may unintentionally mimic the content, research questions, or data analysis, which can lead to plagiarism—an issue taken very seriously in the IB curriculum.
2. Over-reliance on Examples:
   Relying too heavily on example reports can stifle creativity. You may feel compelled to conform to the examples rather than exploring unique questions or employing innovative methodologies.
3. Potential Misguidance:
   Not all examples available online are of high quality or meet the current IB criteria. Using outdated or poorly conducted investigations as models can mislead you about the level of rigour required.
4. Sample Bias:
   The examples typically found online or provided in classrooms are often those that have scored well, which might not represent the spectrum of acceptable topics and methodologies. This could narrow your views on what is possible or expected for your report.

While example IA reports can be immensely helpful, it's important to use them judiciously.

By understanding both the benefits and the limitations of using sample reports, you can better navigate the complexities of the IB Physics IA and develop your own authentic reports.

4: Getting More Help and Feedback

You should not feel like you're completing this report on your own. 

There are places you can get help at every stage of this daunting project. 

Using IB Marking Criteria to Improve Your Physics IA Draft

To improve the first draft of your IB Physics IA, you could delve deeply into the marking criteria offered by the IB.

Each component of the criteria not only guides you through structuring your report but also serves as a checklist to refine your draft before submission.

Here’s a brief overview of how these criteria can be used to improve your first draft:

• Research Design (6 Marks):
  This section evaluates the clarity and appropriateness of your research question and the coherence of your methodology. Use this criterion to review whether your research question is clearly defined and whether your methodology is detailed and suitable for answering the question. Ensure that every step of your experiment or study is logically planned and justified.
• Data Analysis (6 Marks):
  Focus on how well you have recorded, processed, and presented your data. This criterion helps you check if your data are organised in a way that directly addresses the research question and if your data processing methods enhance the clarity and accuracy of your results. Revisit your charts, graphs, and statistical analyses to ensure clarity and relevance.
• Conclusion (6 Marks):
  The conclusion criterion assesses the directness and validity of the answer to your research question based on your data. It also considers the integration of your findings within the accepted scientific context. Review your conclusion to ensure that it directly ties back to your research question and incorporates scientific theory to substantiate your findings.
• Evaluation (6 Marks):
  Here, your ability to evaluate and critically analyse your investigation's methodology is assessed, along with your capability to propose reasonable and insightful improvements. This is your opportunity to reflect on any experimental errors, limitations of your approach, and discuss possible enhancements.

For a more detailed analysis of each criterion and comprehensive tips on how to meet the high standards expected in the IB Physics IA, consider reading my detailed blog post on this subject. Read the full guide on IB Physics IA Marking Criteria here.

By working to align your first draft with these criteria, you can significantly enhance the quality of your report. 

BUT... that sounds like a lot of work - doesn't it??

There's an easier way to write a top-scoring IB Physics IA....

How Much Help Can You Expect From Your Teacher?

Your teacher should provide help and support throughout the IB Physics Scientific Investigation process.

After choosing your topic, the IB have stated that it is not the intention for you to be left to work on the internal assessment component without any further support from your teacher.

Your teacher should play an important role during both the planning stage and the period when you are working on the internally assessed work.

“It is important that teachers provide guidance during the entire IA investigation process, and not only when they read a draft. Some of the weaknesses that they could have corrected during the student's design stage included multiple independent variables, unquantifiable variables, multiple investigations, and unrealistic experimental expectations. Proper guidance should be given when reading the draft of the IA.”

It is the responsibility of your teacher to ensure that you are familiar with:

• The requirements of the type of work to be internally assessed
• The Sciences experimentation guidelines publication
• The assessment criteria. You must understand that the work submitted for assessment must address these criteria effectively.

Teachers and students must discuss the internally assessed work. You should be encouraged to initiate discussions with the teacher to obtain advice and information, and you must not be penalised for seeking guidance.

Teacher Feedback On Your First Draft

As part of the learning process, your teacher should read and give advice on your first draft of the report. Your teacher should provide oral or written advice on how the work could be improved, but not edit the draft. The next version handed to the teacher must be the final version for submission.

There's another way to write a top-scoring IB Physics Scientific Investigation...

TrIBe Physics (Direct Access to Me!)

I've given lots of free advice in this article on how to get a 7 for your IB Physics Scientific Investigation.  

Let’s face it, you can learn basically whatever you want online and for free. There are many students who have only used my free advice, youtube videos and free PDFs and have a top-scoring IA.

BUT....

• Maybe you feel you need more help and more guidance?
• Maybe you don't want to waste time reading through lots of blogs, youtube videos and free PDFs.
• Maybe you just need step-by-step guidance that gets straight to the point

Inside TrIBe Physics you'll get strategic, efficient, tried-and-tested help that will save you time and guarantees better marks.

• It will lead you step-by-step through all the concepts you need to maximise your marks in your IB Physics Scientific Investigation.
• It will offer direct access to to the most highly respected professionals in the IB Physics space - that's me 😉

 You can do it the long way (and pay nothing) or you can pay for online expertise and do it the quick and efficient way. Either way is fine!

The BEST BIT about TrIBe Physics

TrIBe Physics is not just about the scientific investigation.

TrIBe Physics is EVERYTHING you need to score a 7 in IB Physics - or your money back.

I've put EVERY SINGLE BIT OF SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE into TrIBe Physics and I'll support you through the complete IB Physics syllabus all the way until that final IB Physics exam.

It’s the new way of learning and I'll be here for you every step of the way

You can approach your physics teacher or a physics tutor for help and I have given you my thoughts on how best to manage those situations. We can, of course, part ways and you have plenty of great stuff to start you down your journey towards a 7 in IB Physics….

OR….

You can join me for the next step and enrol in TrIBe Physics.

• It doesn't matter if you've just started the IB or are racing towards your final exams.
• It doesn't matter if you are struggling to pass any class tests or are the class genius.
• It doesn't matter if you haven't started your Scientific Investigation yet or have already re-created nuclear fusion in your garage and have written 1700 page dissertation on it.

TrIBe Physics is ready for you to enrol and work at your own pace until you get your 7 in IB Physics.