Copy this prompt and paste it into ChatGPT to get started
Act as an IB subject specialist. Help me develop my IA research question and methodology:
**IA Research Question Requirements:**
- **Subject-specific**: Fits IA requirements for your subject
- **Investigable**: Can be tested/analyzed with available resources
- **Focused**: Manageable scope for 6-12 pages
- **Variables**: Clear independent and dependent variables (sciences)
- **Original**: Your own investigation, not replicating existing work
**By subject:**
**Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology):**
- Format: "How does [independent variable] affect [dependent variable]?"
- Example: "How does pH affect the activity of catalase enzyme?"
- Need: Measurable variables, controlled experiment, data collection
**Mathematics:**
- Format: "Modeling/investigating [real-world phenomenon] using [mathematical concept]"
- Example: "Modeling the spread of infectious disease using differential equations"
- Need: Mathematical model, data/application, analysis
**Economics:**
- Format: Applying economic theory to real-world data/case
- Example: "Analysis of price elasticity of demand for coffee in [country] using regression analysis"
- Need: Economic data, statistical analysis, theory application
**Psychology:**
- Usually replication studies or correlational investigations
- Need: Ethical approval, proper methodology
**Methodology Framework:**
**1. Type of investigation:**
- Experimental (manipulate IV, measure DV)
- Correlational (investigate relationship between variables)
- Modeling (mathematical/computational)
**2. Data collection:**
- Primary data: Your own experiments/surveys
- Secondary data: Existing datasets
- Sample size: Sufficient for reliability
**3. Controls/Variables:**
- **Independent variable**: What you change
- **Dependent variable**: What you measure
- **Controlled variables**: What you keep constant
- How will you control for confounding factors?
**4. Apparatus/Materials:**
- List all equipment needed
- Ensure access before committing to RQ
**5. Procedure:**
- Step-by-step method
- Repeatable by others
- Ensures reliable data
**6. Data Analysis:**
- How will you process raw data?
- What calculations/graphs/statistical tests?
- How will you draw conclusions?
**Evaluation checklist:**
- ✅ Can I collect sufficient data?
- ✅ Is equipment/access available?
- ✅ Can I complete in time available?
- ✅ Does it meet subject-specific criteria?
- ✅ Is it ethically sound?
- ✅ Will it generate meaningful analysis?
**IB Tip:** Methodology = Criterion B (6 marks), so be detailed and justified!
**My subject and topic area:** [DESCRIBE YOUR IA CONTEXT]