Eight Steps for Crafting a Strong IB Internal Assessment
1. Choose a Strong and Specific Research Question. Make sure the topic is not too broad it’s easier to go into depth when you have a focus point. Also, make sure that your question is feasible with the resources you have at hand.
Examples:
✅ Physics (Good): “What is the effect of wire length on the electrical resistance of constantan wire at room temperature?” This questions allows for controlled experimentation and quantitative analysis.
❌ Physics (Weak): “What affects electricity?” This question is too broad and lacks clear direction.
✅ Psychology (Good): “How does the presence of background music with lyrics affect reading comprehension in teenagers aged 14–16?” This question: facilitates measurable outcomes and relevant theoretical connections.
❌ Psychology (Weak): “How does music affect people?” This question fails to specify variables, age groups, or cognitive domains, making it difficult to investigate systematically.
2. Plan the method carefully. A solid investigation starts with a clear outline:
• Methodology
• Variables
• Materials/tools
• Ethical considerations
3. Collect Reliable Data. Whether it’s lab results, surveys, or case studies, make sure your data is:
• Accurate and organised
• Clearly recorded
• Sourced responsibly
Example: In Psychology, use surveys with a valid sample size.
4. Analyse and Interpret The Data
• Graphs and charts to show trends
• Calculations
• Discussion of patterns or anomalies
• Use of relevant theory or frameworks
5. Show Critical Thinking by evaluating and Acknowledging the limitations:
• Errors or inconsistencies
• Limitations in design or execution
• How to improve the study
6. Structure The Report with a Logical Flow:
• Introduction
• Methodology
• Results & Analysis
• Evaluation
• Conclusion
• References
7. Follow the IB Criteria and Formatting. Each subject has specific guidelines: follow the assessment rubric—word count, headings, and font can affect your final grade.
8. Proofread and Ask for Feedback
• Check grammar and spelling
• Check the formatting is clear and logically structured
• Ask a teacher to review it — second pair of eyes will catch what you miss.
Related: What is the IA?