CHECKLIST+FOR+DCP+CRITERION

IB PHYSICS > IB IA EXPERIMENTS > IB PHYSICS IA CRITERIA It is a great idea to use the headings below in your report as a guide to the reader who is looking for these things = DATA COLLECTION AND PROCESSING (DCP)  = ** Aspect 1: Recording raw data ** **RAW DATA TABLE**
 * This includes the actual data measured in the experiment before it is processed.
 * Left hand column is **independent variable**. 7±2 is a good number for a graph - decide about **range and intervals**.
 * After this the **dependent variable** and its **repetitions** (5 of them is good).
 * If you will average the repetitions, do it here with a column for uncertainty using (max-min)/2.
 * Each column heading has **quantity and unit**. eg Force/ N.
 * **Uncertainty** in each measurement due to the measuring instrument (to one sig fig, with unit). eg ± 0.5 N.
 * **Significant figures** in column is consistent with uncertainty. eg 23.0 if ±0.5; 3400 if ±100.
 * Explain decisions taken for each uncertainty.
 * Write down any **observations** (**qualitative data**) which may be significant later.
 * ~ angle i ||~ angle r ||
 * ± 0.5° || ± 0.5° ||
 * 30.0 || 20.0 ||
 * 35.0 || 23.0 ||
 * 40.0 || 26.0 ||
 * 45.0 || 28.5 ||
 * 49.5 || 30.5 ||
 * 55.0 || 34.0 ||
 * 60.0 || 36.0 ||
 * Aspect 2: Processing raw data **
 * PROCESSED DATA TABLE **
 * ======The first two columns are independent variable and dependent variable (average of repetitions if it was repeated).======
 * Process the data in other columns to the right. The minimum needed is averaging of repetitions, but more is preferable. This decision is made on the basis of **linearising the graph**. Typical processes are reciprocal; square; cube; root; sine; log.
 * Each column header has units and uncertainty with unit if it is the same for the whole column.
 * Uncertainties are propagated
 * If the uncertainty is different for each reading, a new column is added eg ∆(F) or ∆(1/F).
 * Accounted for any other errors. e.g stop-start errors and looking at the spread of repeated readings? You need to explain your decisions clearly here. If the error is negligible, you need to say so.
 * Averaged any repeated readings? The heading must be clear and have an uncertainty and usually a unit.
 * A consistent number of decimal places for all averaged or processed data?
 * Propagated errors, remembering that normally absolute errors have units?
 * Clearly shown all the working for one data point?
 * Clearly explained what you will plot on each axis and if appropriate, what the gradient and intercept represent?
 * Drawn the correct graph (if applicable with the independent variable on the x axis) and put a best fit line on your graph?
 * Labeled your graph correctly including units?
 * Put error bars on the graph?
 * Calculated the slope of your graph, if linear? Remember this normally has units.


 * Aspect 3: Presenting processed data. Have you: **
 * Used the error bars to draw maximum and minimum gradient lines? If error is not significant, you must say so.
 * Calculated the slope of these lines (remember units) and found intercepts if appropriate?
 * Used the slopes or intercepts to find a relevant constant?
 * Found that constant with an absolute error? (Beware of significant figures and units in your final answer ).