What's in an Investigation?

I've taken some of the wording from the mark scheme and put it up here. The S stands for Strategy, and so these marks are given for your planning and background knowledge. 

S(a) – Write information about what affects a rate of reaction and pick one factor to test. What is your hypothesis, and prediction and why have you made this prediction.

This is your introduction. In it you can show off your knowledge about reactions, and even throw in a few diagrams to explain your points. Remember your hypothesis uses scientific knowledge to explain what you think will happen in your investigation from a theoretical perspective (think of particles and collisions), whereas your prediction is explaining the actual thing you will see (think of time taken for the beaker to change).

S(b) – Select and use appropriate techniques – how will you do the experiment. Justify the technique, and explain your range of data (including how many repeats). Complete full risk assessment, including how to minimise any harm.

This will be your method. Your range of data is the different solutions you will use (this depends on what variable you pick). Remember to explain the repeats you will use and why. A good risk assessment can come separately to the method, as a separate section. Don't just mention the risks but explain how you can avoid them and stay safe.