Tuesday Top Tips - spotlight on Criterion H and I for the IA (HL & SL)

by Vivien Jack

So here we go for my last post in this series.

HL IA Criterion H - Presentation (written report) (Top mark band 2 marks)

This is a very straightforward criterion to mark but I’m often surprised at students who do not score full marks for this as they do not read the information given to them. So here are my top tips for criterion H:

1. Create a checklist of components - The components and the required order that they are to be presented are in the subject guide on pages 80 to 82. A checklist for students before submission would be very helpful as there are 16 components that have to be presented in the stated order. Please take a look at the HL IA - Student Checklist available here on InThinking.
2. Place the title page after the research proposal - This is counterintuitive to students (I must say I have to agree with them!) as traditionally, a title page is the front page of a piece of written work. However, for the HL IA, the title page goes between the research proposal and the start of the written report (i.e. the very first page of the IA should be the start of the research proposal).
3. Submit a complete draft - The first (and only) draft should be written as completely as possible so students have the opportunity to get meaningful feedback, including feedback on the structure of their IA as this is marked holistically.

HL IA Criterion I - Reflective thinking (Top mark band 2 marks)

I find this assessment criterion rather tricky and year after year I find I’m still refining my advice to students about it. My top tips for criterion I are as follows:

1. Critique the approaches to research - This is not about the tools, techniques, and theories used in the IA. This assessment criterion is about the actual approaches to research, such as sampling methods. It should be included in the written report as evidence of critical and reflective thinking. Putting this in the research proposal will not be credited for this criterion.
2. Avoid generic statements - Examples such as “The results may be biased”, “The sample size is small so results may be inaccurate”, and “The forecasted results cannot be predicted with 100% accuracy” are all generic statements so will not score well. Essentially, students must be able to demonstrate how their approaches to research may influence the quality of their actual analysis. For example, if a student creates a cash flow forecast based on information gathered in an interview with the CFO, they may reflect on how additional research is required on external environmental factors that could influence the accuracy of the cash flow forecast (such as changes to interest rates and the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on the company's cash flow forecast).
3. Include a section on reflective thinking - This is optional but useful for students who forget to consistently show evidence of reflective thinking throughout the written report. This could be placed at the end of the report, after the Recommendations. It is still preferable to show evidence of critical and reflective thinking throughout the written report.

Thank you for reading my IA top tips! I hope they have been useful. I gathered these tips over the years from personal experience, advice from experienced colleagues (thanks Lisa Nevers and Paul Hoang!) and most importantly at workshops. Whether you participate in workshops with the IB or with InThinking, I really find they are invaluable thanks to advice from the workshop leader and other workshop participants.

I hope that you all have an opportunity to relax and recharge over the December/January break. Lots to look forward to in 2022 with the new syllabus. Can’t wait!

All the best!