Background Research

Quality Background research is vital!

Not only are there marks in Criterion D for the quality of your background research, the more background research you have done, the more likely you are to understand your experiment in depth which makes it much easier when it comes to writing your report. The main reason why I had little trouble with the written part of the EE process was because of the large amount of background research I had done.

​The internet should never be the sole source of information. – IB Chemistry EE Guide

Where to find reliable information

Any decent library

It may be laborious but libraries contain some of the best information there is, and having a wide range of different sources in your EE will gain you extra marks in criterion D.  It’s definitely worthwhile taking a trip to a public library and looking at their sources. When I went to the library for my EE, I installed an app called CamScanner and took photo scans of the relevant pages of books I looked at, that way I could always quote or refer back to them without borrowing the book or having to make several trips

Scientific databases or research papers

There are quite a few good science databases out there with lots of research papers on lots of different experiments and subject areas. These could really help shape your experimental method. Most libraries have access to a wide variety of research journals, and nowadays you can easily get a library card online!

Depending on what your experiment is, there’s a chance that there could be some good article on your experimental method or reaction in a science magazine. This was not the case for my experiment but if you’re looking at an experiment in electrochemistry or organic, there’s a good chance that you’ll find something.

Forums (depends on topic)

If your experiment contains a method or theory that is used in industry, there might be some websites on the topic that have forums for discussion. Many of the people who post on forums have a wealth of experience in the field, and their advice could really help solve any issues you may have in your experimental method.

Writing the Report - The Background Research Section

The background research into your topic should fill about 1,000 words (25%) of your EE writing.

Background research doesn’t necessarily need to all come from the chemical theory behind the experiment, it can also come from experimental methods that you have used in the experiment that require some explanation. In my case, I spent about 400 words describing and explaining the use of colorimetry and the Beer-Lambert Law in my experimental method.

Top Tips:

  • The more background reading you do, the easier the EE process is.
  • Any background research that you include in your written report must be relevant and easily understandable.