1. The Math Studies Project for Internal Assessment
A good project should be able to be followed by a non-mathematician and be self explanatory all the way through.

2. Length
The project does not have a word limit. It is the quality of the mathematics and the processes used and described that is important, rather than the number of words written.

3. Commitment
The project is a substantial piece of work (counts for 20% of the final IB grade)
The project should demonstrate a commitment of time and effort by the student

4. Choice of Topic
The choice of topic must give students sufficient scope to demonstrate their mathematical ability.
Statistical
Chi-Squared test for Independence
Correlation/Linear regression
Student ‘t’ test
Spearman’s rank order correlation

5. Choice of Topic Algebraic Modelling Calculus i. Optimization Problems
Quadratic
Exponential
Trigonometric
Calculus
i Optimization Problems
ii Modelling

6. Choice of Topic Number and algebra i Sequences and series
ii Linear programming
Sets, Logic and Probability
i Venn diagrams
ii Probabilities
Financial Mathematics

7. Title page The Project must have a clear title Candidate’s name
Candidate’s number
Date
Subject
Teacher’s Name

8. Table of contents
Page numbering where each part of the project can be found

9. A: Introduction Task: What is the aim of the project?
The task must focus on a distinct objective with a clear hypothesis or direction
The task must be clearly stated
Plan: What must be done to achieve this aim?
Include as much detail as is necessary to be clear
Include a description of method of data collection including any sampling techniques, this will be useful for validity
Include a description of the mathematical processes to be used and the reason for choosing these processes

10. B: Information / Measurement
The information/measurements collected may come from a survey, internet, calculation, etc
The information/measurements must be sufficient in quantity
When the information/measurements is to be split, as in the chi squared test, more than 50 pieces of data is necessary to avoid small expected values, rendering the test invalid.
The information/measurements must be relevant
The information/measurements must be organised
The information/measurements should be reorganised each time, to suit calculations being done eg. Male, female categories
If a questionnaire is used then include this in the project
A questionnaire should be designed to collect multidimensional mathematical data
Raw data must be included to determine the accuracy of calculations

11. C: Mathematical Processes
Always include some relevant simple math processes
What is the mathematical process used? Explanation of mathematical technique
Why is this particular procedure useful? Relevance/validity of mathematical technique
Always state formulae used and do one calculation by hand. The GDC can be used to perform further similar calculations
Always check the accuracy of your results
Interpret results/draw conclusions from the results of the calculations
(Standard deviation is often calculated but not used or commented on.)

12. C: Mathematical Processes
Apply relevant sophisticated processes as thoroughly as for simple process.
Interpret results/draw conclusions from the results of the calculations
Comment on validity of results
Check the accuracy of the results
For Chi-squared tests to be valid:
Frequencies must be used, not raw data or percentages
No more than 20% of the expected cells should have a number less than 5
No expected cells should have a number less than 1
For Linear correlation
There is no point in finding the correlation coefficient or regression line if the scatter graph shows that there is no correlation

13. D: Interpretation of results
Always give a thorough and detailed analysis and discussion of results

14. E: Validity Validity of mathematical processes used
Validity of results obtained from these processes

15. F: Structure and Communication
The project should include the discussion in the body of the work
Appropriate mathematical language should always be used
The project should be presented correctly and in a systematic manner.
All sources should be acknowledged
Include website addresses in bibliography
Include raw data in body of document or in appendix

16. Conclusion Did the data and calculations support your task?
Discuss limitations in its applicability within the project.
Scope for improvement /extension of the project

17. Bibliography State websites Footnotes as necessary
Other sources of information

18. Appendices
Raw data collected can be placed here