Exploration:

No-one wants to read long explanations of why you chose the topic - they often feel fake.  If there is a clear link to a current/global issue (efficiency, environmental links, cost reduction) then a short paragraph might be an interesting starting point, likewise an interesting application of physics. If you have a very clear hobby link then that is also a good starting point, but keep it to a few sentences. If there is not a very clear, relevant starting point then be honest and simply say you found this interesting application of physics and did not fully understand it so you wanted to investigate further, and make that the starting point.

The next paragraphs are the section where you place the investigation into a scientific context, including any scientific terms you will use later. You are describing the relevant scientific theory, history and applications of the area of science you are investigating. You may need to say here that you could not find the exact answers to the research area you were interested in, or could not find an equation liking two variables. You may also need to describe competing models if there are several explanations offered for a phenomena (you need to consider how to write this and maybe ask your teacher, as being concise is also important).

You should try to include at least one diagram here, correctly cited. When you have explained the background science to the investigation you should then work through the variables that you could investigate (these will be your control variables later - nothing should be introduced into the report later that is not discussed here), which will lead you to your research question. 

The research question should be at the end of the background, bold and centralised. The background should end with a section on variables that could be investigated and then you make the statement in the research question section: ‘The variables I have chosen to investigate are…. And this led to the research question:’ 

Mathematical Model (this can be merged with the exploration if it is easier for the reader to follow):

A quick reminder on the difference between linear and proportional relationships

A good mathematical model that ends with a hypothesis written as a linear relationship, or a proportionality, and an expected graph. If you cannot generate a mathematical model as a proportionality, or linear relationship, your method is probably not good enough and you should ask for some help.

This section is simply putting an equation to your research question: As I am investigating the horizontal component of a projectile I can use the suvat relationship:

S = ut +0.5at2

As I am using a very small distance between light gates and assuming a = 0, so my hypothesis is based on:

S = ut

Hypothesis: 

S ∝ u

Eg: ‘I expect to find that as the starting speed increases then the distance travelled will also increase. I expect this to be a directly proportional relationship. When graphing my data I expect S and u to be directly proportional, with time being the gradient. The intercept is expected to be zero.’  or 'When graphing my data I expect a linear relationship between voltage and temperature. The intercept should be positive.'

Include an expected graph that clearly answers your research question with labelled axis,  gradient, and intercept. Try to include values/ variables where they can be stated.

Appropriate research questions look for functions or relationships between two variables and successful IAs can be reduced to this sort of proportionality or linear relationship. If yours cannot it does not mean it is not possible, but speak to your teacher before continuing.

Variables:

Define the independent variable, say what you are changing, which values you will use and how you will change it. The independent variable needs to have an associated uncertainty from the measuring instrument stated. Eg: ’The independent variable, the variable changed in an experiment, was… The range of values used was…This was measured with….with a precision of…’ Explain and justify how did you picked the range of the independent variable? Did you do a preliminary test? Was it limited by the physical location? 

Define the dependent variable, this also needs to have an associated uncertainty and the measurement device stated. eg’ The dependent variable, the variable measured, was… The equipment used to measure it was…with a precision of...’

There should be no new factors introduced here - they have all been mentioned in the background. For each control variable you need to say, for each, how it will be controlled and what the effect of not controlling it would be. This section should include the variables mentioned in the background - if you find variables that are important here and are missing in the background go back and add them. 

There should also be a paragraph for environmental control variables if this is relevant (temperature of air is relevant in many experiments, humidity, ambient light, ambient sound?) If there are variables which cannot be controlled but are monitored make this distinction (room temperature might be monitored to ensure the range is known, but not controlled).

Equipment:

This section is optional and can be skipped if the equipment is clearly noted (including sizes/amounts where relevant) is described in the method.

Method:

1. A step-by-step guide to your experiment so someone else in another school could do it again.

2. Then...

Max 10 points in the method - keep it clear but short, there is no need to mention repeats as this is obvious from your results table.

Safety, Ethical and Environmental Considerations: Do not make this up, but anything relevant should be listed here. If there is nothing to say you can skip this section, just add a final line to the method ‘There were no significant safety, ethical or environmental issues in this experiment.’

Draw and annotate a diagram showing the equipment set up ready to use, not just an image of each piece of equipment used. A labeled photograph is not acceptable by itself and should only be included if it adds some detail the diagram cannot. Hand-drawn diagrams are acceptable if they are scanned and inserted into the document. Any photos or images not coming directly from you should be cited appropriately, ('self drawn' or 'photo taken by author') is fine as a citation if you made the image.