Chemistry in Practice Investigation (LC 2027) Revision Notes for Leaving Cert Chemistry

Chemistry in Practice Investigation

What is the chemistry in practice investigation?

The Chemistry in Practice Investigation is a crucial additional component that makes up 40% of your overall Leaving Certificate Chemistry grade, working alongside the written exam which accounts for 60%. This investigation is assessed using specific quality descriptors outlined in the specification, giving you clear targets to aim for.

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Think of this investigation as your chance to become a real chemist - you'll design, conduct, and analyse your own research project that demonstrates your understanding of chemistry in action.

How it connects to your chemistry course

The investigation serves as the practical backbone of your chemistry learning. It operationalises the unifying strand, which means you'll:

Frame and justify a research question based on solid chemical principles
Develop a testable hypothesis that's firmly rooted in chemistry concepts
Design and plan ethically and safely using proper scientific methods
Generate primary data through your own experiments and/or evaluate secondary data from reliable sources
Analyse, conclude, and communicate your findings using appropriate scientific representations

Your chosen topic should naturally connect to the learning outcomes in the contextual strands, and where relevant, link to broader themes of sustainability, health, and technology.

Achieving excellence in your investigation

Based on the specification's quality descriptors, here's what high achievement looks like:

Knowledge and understanding

To excel in this area, you need to:

Grasp the brief thoroughly and understand what's being asked
State the purpose of your investigation clearly
Use relevant research from credible scientific sources
Evaluate reliable sources critically for accuracy and bias
Engage clearly with the chemical concepts and phenomena that form the heart of your research question

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Excellence in knowledge and understanding requires you to go beyond just stating facts - you must demonstrate deep engagement with the underlying chemistry concepts and critically evaluate your sources.

Investigative skills - design and method

High-achieving investigations demonstrate:

A well-crafted probing question that leads naturally to a testable hypothesis (where applicable)
A thorough design that shows careful planning and consideration
Appropriate methods that are suitable for answering your research question
Collection of high-quality primary data that's reliable and precise

Investigative skills - analysis and conclusions

Excellence in analysis means you:

Present clear data and analysis that's easy to follow
Draw valid conclusions that directly link back to your hypothesis
Evaluate limitations honestly (considering research design, measurement issues, sample size, and assumptions)
Summarise key areas effectively
Maintain a coherent report with proper references and reflective commentary

Relation to scientists and society

Top-tier investigations include:

Considered reflexion that places your findings within broader scientific and societal issues
Clear connections between your work and real-world applications or implications

Planning and writing your investigation

Follow this structured approach to ensure you cover all requirements:

1. Brief → Question and hypothesis

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Worked Example: From Brief to Question

Brief: "Investigate factors affecting reaction rates"

Step 1: Understanding the brief

This relates to kinetics and collision theory

Step 2: Developing a focused question

"How does temperature affect the rate of reaction between hydrochloric acid and magnesium ribbon?"

Step 3: Forming a testable hypothesis

"Increasing temperature will increase the reaction rate due to more frequent and energetic molecular collisions"

Show that you understand the brief provided by your teacher
Distil it into a focused, testable question or hypothesis
Ensure your question is underpinned by specific chemistry concepts

2. Design and safety

Select valid methods that will effectively answer your question
Justify your variables and controls - explain why you've chosen them
Use appropriate equipment for your investigation
Include a thorough risk assessment and safe practice plan

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Safety is paramount in chemistry investigations. Your risk assessment must be thorough and demonstrate that you understand the hazards involved in your chosen methods.

3. Data collection (primary and secondary)

Generate primary data through careful experimentation when required
Evaluate secondary data from other sources for relevance, accuracy, and potential bias
Record everything in a traceable log - this shows your working and thought process

4. Analysis → Conclusion

Treat anomalies appropriately - don't just ignore unexpected results
Connect your findings to chemistry concepts and models you've learned
Respect precision and accuracy in all your measurements and calculations
Use SI units consistently throughout
Conclude directly on your hypothesis - answer the question you set out to investigate

5. Evaluate and reflect

Identify limitations honestly (design flaws, measurement errors, sample size issues, assumptions made)
Propose improvements for future investigations
Reflect on how your investigation relates to society, technology, or sustainability

6. Communicate

Produce a coherent report that flows logically from start to finish
Use appropriate representations such as tables, graphs, and chemical structures
Maintain consistent referencing throughout
Write in clear scientific language that demonstrates your understanding

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Remember that communication is as important as the science itself. A brilliant investigation poorly communicated will not achieve top marks.

Exam tips for success

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Key Strategies for Success:

Think like a chemist: Ask sound questions, design strong experiments, collect quality data
Write like a chemist: Provide clear analysis, justified conclusions, reflective evaluation, and demonstrate real-world relevance
Remember that the highest-achieving investigations combine excellent scientific thinking with excellent scientific communication
Use the quality descriptors as a checklist - they tell you exactly what examiners are looking for
Don't just aim for "moderate" achievement - push for the top band by being thorough in every section

Remember!

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Essential Points to Keep in Mind:

The Chemistry in Practice Investigation is worth 40% of your total grade - it's a significant opportunity to demonstrate your skills
Excellence requires both strong scientific thinking (sound questions, robust design, quality data) and effective scientific communication (clear analysis, justified conclusions, real-world connections)
Follow the six-step structure: Brief → Design → Data → Analysis → Evaluation → Communication
Always connect your work back to chemistry concepts and consider broader implications for society
Use the quality descriptors as your roadmap - they show exactly what constitutes high achievement in each area

Chemistry in Practice Investigation (LC 2027) (Leaving Cert Chemistry): Revision Notes