Module 1 of 1Lesson 1 of 3 · Start here: how IA Studio works

IB Diploma ProgrammeSciences

Your scientific investigation starts here.

From a blank page to a strong first draft, in 9 small, clear steps. You do the thinking; IA Studio keeps you on track, and your teacher checks in along the way.

Open IA Studio See the journey

Free with code STADIRA100 until 30 April 2027

  • 9small steps
  • 24marks
  • 3,000 wordslength
  • AI-freeyour own work
Built for students

Why students love IA Studio

One step at a time

Every screen tells you exactly what to do now. No guessing, no giant blank page.

Your ideas, your words

The studio asks smart questions and checks your work. It never writes your scientific investigation for you.

Help when you are stuck

Press I’m stuck, open the glossary, hear text read aloud, or see a worked example, any time.

Saves as you go

Your work saves to your account. Stop on your phone, carry on at your laptop.

The goal

What you are aiming for

Your scientific investigation is worth 20% of your final IB grade in Biology, Chemistry or Physics, at SL and HL. (This studio is for Biology, Chemistry and Physics only — not for SEHS, Computer Science or Design Technology.) It is marked out of 24: four criteria worth 6 marks each. Students who score well are not the ones with the most impressive equipment. They change one variable carefully, measure one thing well, justify every decision, handle their uncertainties honestly and explain what their results mean. That is what IA Studio helps you do.

Your journey

5 stages, 9 steps to a strong draft

The same coloured stages you will see inside the studio. Little and often wins: ten focused minutes a few times a week beats one panicked weekend.

  1. Stage 1

    Explore

    Choose a topic you care about and sharpen your focus.

    1. Step 1

      Choose your investigation

      Compare three ideas and choose one you can really do.

    2. Step 2

      Research question and background

      One focused question and only the science that links your variables.

  2. Stage 2

    Plan

    Plan how you will investigate, then gather what you need.

    1. Step 3

      Method, controls and safety

      Then send your plan to your teacher (Checkpoint 1).

      Teacher checkpoint
    2. Step 4

      Collect your data

      Opens after your teacher approves your plan.

  3. Stage 3

    Create

    Do the main work, one piece at a time.

    1. Step 5

      Process and graph

      Means, uncertainties, error bars, gradients and tests.

    2. Step 6

      Conclusion

      Answer your question with your numbers.

  4. Stage 4

    Develop

    Explain what your work shows and make it stronger.

    1. Step 7

      Evaluation

      Real weaknesses, with evidence and fixes.

  5. Stage 5

    Finish

    Check your work against the criteria and build your file.

    1. Step 8

      Self-check

      Mark yourself honestly against the four criteria.

    2. Step 9

      Build your report

      Word or PDF, then send your first draft (Checkpoint 2).

      Teacher checkpoint
Assessment

How your work is marked 24 marks

Tap a criterion to see what examiners look for.

RResearch design6 marks

a focused question, focused background, and a method someone else could repeat, with every choice justified.

DData analysis6 marks

clear tables, correct processing, uncertainties carried through, and graphs that help answer the question.

CConclusion6 marks

a conclusion that matches your data and is explained with the science and compared with accepted values.

EEvaluation6 marks

specific weaknesses and limitations, their effect on your results, and realistic improvements.

Keep these in mind

Golden rules

  • 3,000 words at most. Tables, graphs, headings, equations and references do not count. Examiners stop reading at 3,000.
  • About 10 hours in total for the whole investigation. You may collect data in a group of up to three, but each of you needs your own research question and your own report. List your group members' personal codes on page 1.
  • No cover page and no names: put your personal code and the word count at the top of page 1.
  • If people take part (for example, you measure their pulse rate or reaction time), each person must give written informed consent, be free to stop at any time and stay anonymous.
  • Microbiology: no culturing from people or the environment. Follow your school's safety rules for every substance.
  • Declare any AI tool you use. IA Studio never writes your report for you.
  • Your teacher gives one round of written feedback on one draft.

Need help with uncertainties, standard deviation or gradients? Each step has a 📘 Maths you need box, a glossary and an I'm stuck button.

Ready? Your first step takes about ten minutes.

Mark this lesson complete, then open the studio. Everything you do is saved to your account.

Open IA Studio
Next