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Chemistry IA Format and Structure [2025 updated]

Roxanne

By Roxanne

•

27 Dec 2023

Chemistry IA Format and Structure [2025 updated] cover image
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Have you got your Chemistry IA topic selected but are unsure how to begin the writing process? Do not worry, as Clastify is here to help guide you step-by-step on how to write your IA. In this post, we will give you key points on what to include in each section of your IA, based on our experience with IB. Although we recommend this structure based on our successful history of helping students receive top-rated IAs, feel free to personalize the guide below in a way that suits you! This post covers the new Science IA syllabus starting from the May 2025 exam session.

 

Chemistry IA Format and Structure

 

 

A top-scoring IA should be easy to read, have a good flow between topics, and be well-focused. The guide below is just an example of how a good IA should be structured, however, keep in mind that many high-scoring IAs may also use other structures. For examples of some well-structured IAs, head to the Clastify website where you can read through multiple exemplar IAs!

 

The guide will be broken up by section to help you better understand what is required in each part of the IA and will have examples linked (in blue), as follows: 

 

 

Introduction:

  1. Include a brief overview of the topic and its importance - what is the compound being studied? Where/how is it used? 

  2. State the personal or global significance of the topic - what made you choose this and why is it an important topic to investigate? 

  3. Briefly introduce the main device or reaction used in the experiment and state why this is the most appropriate method to use for the experiment (for example, burette titration, UV spectroscopy, pH meter, iodometric titration, colourimetry, etc).

  4. The introduction should be around 0.5 - 1 page.

  5. Example: This IA has a good introduction since it briefly introduces the topic of a catalyst's effect on activation energy, as well as the global significance of the environmental uses of chemical catalysts. It also discusses the main reaction used which is a variation of the iodine clock experiment, and the introduction is around 0.5 pages long. 

 

 

Research question:

  1. State the main research question of the experiment including the independent and dependent variables. 

  2. Make sure to include units for the independent and dependent variables. 

  3. If the independent variable doesn't have units, for example when measuring the amount of a compound in different brands (eg: caffeine in different tea brands, vitamin C in different supplement brands), make sure to state all the names of the brands alongside the independent variable.

  4. Include how the dependent variable will be quantified and measured (instrument name or method). Explain why this instrument or method is best for the respective dependent variable. 

  5. An example research question should look like this: "To what extent does the time that spinach is cooked (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 minutes) affect its Vitamin C content (in milligrams), as measured by an iodometric titration?"

  6. Example: This IA has a good research question as it clearly states the research question, units of the dependent variables, and names of all the types of independent variables used (types of superfood) since the independent variable doesn't have units.

 

 

Background information:

  1. Describe the structure of the main molecule being analyzed. Talk about what properties of the molecule (polarity, functional groups, etc.) make it suitable for the method of analysis used.

  2. If the molecule is something that is able to be consumed (eg; caffeine, vitamin C) describe the effects of this molecule on the body. What are the pros and cons of having too much or too little of this compound in the body? 

  3. Discuss the reagent being used to react with the main molecule (eg: dichloromethane used in caffeine extraction, iodine and starch used in vitamin C analysis). What aspects of its structure or reactivity make it a suitable reagent to use for your experiment? 

  4. Include any equations that are relevant to the chemical reactions that will occur during the experiment. 

  5. All the background information included should be directly focused on the research question. For example for vitamin C analysis, you can briefly mention how it is found in citrus fruits, but don't spend more than 3-4 sentences talking about fruit rather than the chemistry behind the experiment.

  6. Include relevant diagrams if applicable. Don't forget to provide a figure caption and cite the source of the diagram.

  7. Include in-text citations throughout the background information section.

  8. Example: This IA has good background information since it describes the chemistry behind the main reaction (iodine clock reaction) well, and provides the relevant equations for the reactions occurring. It includes relevant diagrams such as the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution and the Arrhenius graph. The background information section is directly focused on the research question and contains in-text citations where applicable. 

 

 

Variables:

  1. Include the independent variable and units. Describe why the range of independent variables was chosen. For example, why was the concentration of acid chosen as 0.1-32 M instead of 1-5M? You should justify why you have chosen specific values over others. 

  2. Include the dependent variable, units, instrument with which it will be measured, and the uncertainty. For example, in vitamin C analysis you could write "Dependent variable: Amount of Vitamin C in grams, measured using a weighing balance (±0.01 g)".

  3. Add a table of control variables, including how each variable is controlled and why it is controlled. 

  4. Example: This IA has a good variables section since the independent variable is clearly stated with its units and how it will be controlled, the dependent variable is stated with its units and how it will be measured, and a table of control variables is present that stated why and how each variable will be controlled. 

 

 

Equipment:

  1. Create a list of all the apparatus and equipment used in the experiment.

  2. Ensure to include uncertainties for all relevant instruments (eg: pipettes, burettes, weighing balances, etc).

  3. Include the concentrations of all standard solutions used. 

  4. Include a labelled image of the experimental setup (however you could also include an image in the method section).

  5. Example: All glassware and equipment are stated with their uncertainties, and all chemicals are stated with their concentrations or pH.

 

 

Method:

  1. Write down each step of the method exactly as it was performed in the lab. 

  2. Use a narrative tone when writing the method and not a first-person tone. For example, you should write "Prepare a solution of ....." rather than writing "I prepared a solution of......".

  3. Include a risk assessment table at the end of the method, outlining the safety, ethical and environmental concerns of the experiment. 

  4. Example: All steps of the method are accurately noted down in the narrative tone and no first-person voice has been used. A risk assessment section has been included at the end which accounts for safety, ethical and environmental concerns. 

 

 

Results:

  1. Include a table of the processed data from the experiment. Include a number and caption for the table and ensure the data is centred in the cells. 

  2. Add a section for qualitative data if applicable (eg: colour changes, temperature changes).

  3. Ensure all data in tables has the appropriate number of significant figures and decimal places. 

  4. Include a sample equation and calculation showing how the data is processed. Do this for each type of calculation used (eg: calculating averages, calculating molarity, etc).

  5. Place the rest of the processed data in a new processed data table. Include a number and caption for the table and ensure the data is centred in the cells. 

  6. Include a sample calculation for the propagation of uncertainties, and place the rest of the uncertainties for the other values in a table with a caption. After calculating the uncertainties, include a description of what they mean in relation to the data. Is the uncertainty small or large? What does this mean about the error and validity of the results? 

  7. Include a graph of the processed data versus the independent variable. Include a graph title, axis titles and units, and provide a figure caption for the graph. Include a paragraph below the graph describing the trends in the data such as the correlation if linear (positive or negative) and the R^2 value.

  8. Example: A table of qualitative data, raw data and processed data has been included. All tables have a number and figure caption. Sample calculations are shown for each type of equation used. An appropriate graph has been included as well as a percent error calculation.

 

 

Conclusion:

  1. State the aim of the experiment to refresh the reader's memory.

  2. Discuss the trends in the graph and how they correspond to the research question. For example, instead of just saying the rate of reaction increased with temperature, you could say the rate of reaction increased from 5.2 cm3/s to 10.8 cm3/s as temperature was increased from 20-60 degrees Celsius.

  3. Discuss the extent to which the research question was answered - was it answered fully or only partially? 

  4. Discuss the R^2 value of the graph (if the data is linear) and how it describes the strength of the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. 

  5. Describe if there are any anomalies in the data, and give reasons as to why these may have occurred.

  6. Compare your experimental values to literature values to strengthen your conclusion. Include in-text citations for the literature source. 

  7. Discuss the impact of uncertainties - were they a significant amount of the experimental values? (For example, 10g ± 0.01g is more acceptable than 10g ± 1g)

  8. Example: The conclusion clearly re-states the aim of the essay, as well as a statement to which the research question has been answered (results support the hypothesis). Graphical trends and uncertainties are discussed in relation to the research question, such as the relationship between the variables. The reliability of the data was also discussed.

 

 

Evaluation:

  1. Critically evaluate the results of the experiment and how they could be improved.

  2. Include a list of the strengths of the experiment and the significance of each strength.

  3. Include a table of the weaknesses of the experiment, as well as how they impacted the results and how to improve this in future. 

  4. Make sure to account for random, systematic and human errors in the experiment, how they affected the data, and how this can be corrected in future. 

  5. Finally, provide some extensions for the experiment. These should be some topics that relate to or build off the main topic. For example, for the vitamin C analysis of vegetables, you could say how in future you could measure the amount of other vitamins in that particular food, such as vitamins A, B, D, etc. You could also discuss what would happen if some of the control variables of the experiment were used as the dependent variables instead. 

  6. Example: A table of strengths and weaknesses is included, along with considerations for random and systematic error. An extension has also been provided for the experiment (eg: using higher temperatures).

 

 

References:

  1. Include a full list of all the references used in the IA. 

  2. Ensure the bibliography is in the same citation style used in the introduction and background information section. 

  3. Example: A full reference list has been included and is in the same citation style as used in the introduction and background information sections. 

 

 

We hope this guide helps guide you in properly formatting and structuring your Chemistry IA! If you want to read some exemplary IAs before you start writing, we've got you covered too! Simply head to the Clastify website, where you will be able to find numerous Chemistry IA ideas and examples, so you can look for the ones that are the most relevant to your topic. Good luck!