INTERNAL ASSESSMENT GUIDE

Selection of subject This is the most important stage. I hand out to the student the following form and ask them to hand in 3 different proposals (This is important since they do not really know which proposal is likely to have more options to do good math). I encourage them to choose something that is close to them and they know a lot about. For example sports or music, etc. I usually want this to be handed in by the end of September.

I TER AL ASSESSME T FORM

THIS FORM MUST BE RETUR
ED TO TEACHER BY: ___________

STUDE T FORM
Family name First name Area of Interest Example: Music Topic Example: Sound waves Statement of the task Example: apply Trigonometric functions in the study of sound waves Overall Plan

Method of Data Collection or generation Example: Questionnaires, observation, interviews etc. From : Websites, books, etc. Mathematical processes I intend to use: Modelling linear functions, Modelling quadratic functions, Modelling exponential functions Modelling trigonometric functions Modelling other functions: ____________ chi-squared, probability, conditional probability, geometry, sine rule, cosine rule, frequency tables, sets, sequences and series, compound interest, normal distribution other: ______________________________

October: After I read the forms I have a 5 minutes conversation with each student and together we choose the subject we feel will give place to do more math and therefore will be more successful. By the end of October this should be done. November Student should collect and/or generate relevant info. In case they write questionnaires I ask to see it since usually the do not know what to ask or how to ask it. We discuss the variables to be studied. For example: This following would be a good questionnaire, it has 4 questions (so 4 variables) and it gives place for a discussion about numerical or categorical variables. This should all be done by the end of November. Avoid open questions in a questionnaire as this opens a door for answers later difficult to analyze. Survey 1. How old are you? 12 13 14 15 16 17

2. What is your gender? Female Male

3. What kind of music do you listen to? (Mark 1 answer only) Pop Rock Rap Classic

4. How many hours do you listen to music a week? (Mark 1 answer only) 1 hour 7 hours 2 hours 8/ + hours 3 hours 4 hours 5 hours 6 hours

December Students should analyze the data they have collected. In case a questionnaire was used the student must organizes the information in table(s) and show me the tables. We discuss the possibilities for analysis: Graphs, Correlation, ChiSquared etc. End of January First draft should be handed in to teacher. Include all the mathematical analysis and conclusions. Students will receive feedback from the teacher to their work (including grade estimation and how to improve it). Students meet with teacher to discuss their draft and how to improve it. February Students improve their internal assessment according to teachers comments.

Internal Assessment Deadline: February 22nd 2:20 PM (this is an example)

IB Math Studies: IA Checklist

Taken from (and updated): huebnerc.webs.com/IA%20Project%20Checklist.doc The following checklist is based on the rubric that is used to grade your project. To maximize your score, you should be able to check off as many of the following as possible. A. Introduction Do I have a meaningful title? Do I have a clear statement of task stated explicitly, and does it describe what I am researching/what question I am trying to answer? Do I have a clear description of the plan, describing how my task will be performed (including how I will obtain data and how I will analyze it?) Did I include my own thoughts and predictions of what the answer to my research question will be? Did I give some background information on my topic? Did I discuss why I wanted to research this topic? B. Information/measurement Is my data relevant to the research question I am trying to answer? Is my data sufficient in quantity? Is my data sufficient in quality (i.e., not too simple)? Is my data from a reputable source? Did I cite the source of my data? Did I include all of the raw data in an appendix? Did I organize the raw data into a form appropriate for analysis (ex., a table)? If necessary, did I group the data in an appropriate way?

C. Mathematical processes Did I include at least two sophisticated math processes (for example, finding the correlation and line of best fit, AND a Chi-Squared Test, all by hand)? Did I realize that simple mathematical processes (such as finding the mean and standard deviation, as well as creating bar charts and pie charts) may be necessary but will not be sufficient to earn a top score in this category? Did I show all necessary work and complete all work by hand? Are the mathematical processes I used relevant and meaningful for the type of data I collected? Did I double-check my work to make sure that it is accurate?

D. Interpretation of results Did I produce at least two conclusions based on my mathematical processes? Did I discuss how I interpreted the results of my mathematical processes? Are my conclusions and interpretations consistent with the mathematical process? Do my conclusions relate back to my original research question? Is my discussion of my interpretations and conclusions comprehensive? E. Validity Did I address the issue of whether or not my mathematical processes were appropriate in this context? Did I discuss why the mathematical processes used are applicable in this context? Did I comment on any limitations to the mathematical processes that I used? Did I comment on the reasonableness of my conclusions/interpretations? Did I include any limitations and/or qualifications relating to my conclusions/interpretations? If I acknowledged that I needed more information/measurements, did I explain why? Did I suggest possible extensions of this project? F. Structure and communication Is my paper easy to read? Did I include a bibliography/footnotes as appropriate? Is there a logical order and flow to the paper? Is all of my mathematical notation appropriate and correct? Is all of my terminology appropriate and correct? Have I included graphs/charts/tables as necessary? Have I included headings as necessary? Is everything organized neatly?

G. Notation and Terminology Did I use calculator or spreadsheet notation? Did I use correct notation throughout the work? Did I use correct terminology throughout the work? Dopes my project contain enough notation and terminology so I can achieve a 2?