Internal

Assessment
Structure, Requirements
 Internal assessment
Work within your group and complete Task 1 from the provided
worksheet.

Take another look at the supporting documents of the IA sample

that was for HW. Discuss the following questions within your
group:

What type of research methods are used?

How is the student highlighted the parts that was used in the
IA?
Besides the supporting documents, what other sources of
information are used?
How did the student cite its sources in-text?
 Internal assessment
Share your discussion with the rest of the class.

What type of research methods are used?

How is the student highlighted the parts that was used in the
IA?
Besides the supporting documents, what other sources of
information are used?
How did the student cite its sources in-text?
Internal assessment: Supporting documents
Relevant supporting documents must be contemporary in nature and published within a
maximum of three years prior to the submission of the business research project to the IB.

Good supporting documents

● are within date (3 years or younger at time of IA submission) - March 2024

● offer varied ideas and views on the issue
● are derived from various sources (internal to the organization and external)
● are no longer than approximately 5 pages (A4 format)
● provide balance and objectivity
Internal assessment: Supporting documents
Examples of secondary sources
● Articles from local, national,
international press
● Business accounts, financial
reports and plans
● Extracts from company websites
● Transcripts (max 1 per IA) from
relevant audio-visual sources
● Governmental/ research statistics
● Journals
● Market research surveys
● Mission statements
Examples of primary sources
● Responses to survey and
questionnaires (include a blank copy
of the survey/questionnairies as wells
as a summary of results)
● Responses to interviews (include a
copy of the interview questions as
wells as a summary of results)
● Focus group discussions (include a
copy of the questions and the
summary)
 Internal assessment

Work within your group and complete Task 2 from the

provided worksheet.

Based on your HW assignment, quickly discuss within

your group the possible structure of an IA. Make a list of
the elements of the structure. What each element
consists of?
 Internal assessment: Structure

1. Title page

It should include:
● Research question
● Concept
● Word count

Not part of the 1800-word word count

 Internal assessment: Structure

2. Contents page

An accurate table of contents showing

sections and sub-sections as well as
page numbering

Not part of the 1800-word word count

 Internal assessment: Structure
Approximately 300 - 400 words
3. Introduction

● Brief background information about the chosen business organization.

● Outline of the contemporary, real-world issue or problem under investigation (to
provide context).
● Rationale for the study, including choice of key concept.
● Relevance of the research question to the chosen key concept.
● Description of the methodology used to investigate the chosen issue or problem
(it should include the limitations).
 Internal assessment: Structure Approximately 1000 - 1200
words
4. Main body
This is where main findings and results found in the research of the supporting documents are analysed and
evaluated with the help of a number of business management tools and theories. The conceptual focus of the
project must also be integrated throughout this section.

● Main findings (from the 3 - 5 supporting documents).

● Analysis of the findings (in relation to the research question).
● Application of relevant Business Management tools, theories, techniques, and terminology.
● Integration of the chosen key concept.
● Evidence of evaluation (critical thinking) in relation to:
- Why and how the information in the 3 - 5 supporting documents are helpful (or unhelpful) in addressing the
research question
- Strengths and limitations of the data/information in the 3 - 5 supporting documents with respect to
answering the research question.
- An evaluative approach to the discussions, e.g., the short-term and long-term implications of the findings
on the chosen business organization, including the impact on employees, customers, or other key
stakeholder groups, as well as its finances.
 Internal assessment: Structure Approximately 300 - 400 words

5. Conclusion
Should explicitly answer the research question as a logical extension of the discussion in the main body. The
conclusion should not introduce facts and figures that have previously not been discussed. Can the conclusion
you draw be costed (qualitatively or quantitatively?)

● Provide a clear and explicit answer to the research question, backed by the evidence presented in the
main body of the research project.
● Do not introduce any new materials, facts, or arguments that have not been discussed in body of the
research project.
● Acknowledge any aspect of the research question that has not been fully addressed from the findings and
analysis of the research project, outlining any further investigation needed to answer the research question
more effectively.
 Internal assessment: Structure
6. Bibliography

With correct academic citation of all

resources used in the completion of the
IA.

Not part of the 1800-word word count

 Internal assessment: Structure
7. Appendix

With the 3 to 5 supporting documents

included, labelled, cited and
highlighted accordingly.

Not part of the 1800-word word count

 Internal assessment
Complete Task 3 from the provided worksheet. Pay
attention to which part of the task is done together with
your group and which is on your own.

Group work: Why do you think this paper got the maximum
mark?

Individual: What will you personally take from this sample?

Be prepared to share your thought with the rest.

 Goals
To what extent did we achieve the goals?

Students will be able to:

● Explain the requirements for the IA in terms of structure.

● Construct a decision tree.
● You will understand that changing and complex business environments
can become clear when using a decision tree.