IA Checklist and Criteria
Criterion A: Integration of a key concept
To what extent does the student effectively integrate the analysis of the connection between the key concept and
the organization under study throughout the Internal Assessment?
❏ Understanding of one the four concepts is clear (ethics, creativity, sustainability or change).
❏ The connection between the one concept and the organization is clear.
❏ Analysis of how the organization and the concept are linked is included.
❏ The concept is integrated throughout the IA not just in a section.
Criterion B: Supporting documents
To what extent does the student select three to five relevant supporting documents that address the research
question in appropriate depth and breadth?
❏ Three to five supporting documents are clearly identified and provided in appropriate section at the end
of the IA document.
❏ The documents cover a range of ideas and views.
❏ Different types of documents are included but no one supporting document exceeds the equivalent of
five A4 pages.
❏ The supporting documents are contemporary in nature, published within a maximum of three years prior
to submission.
❏ The documents are relevant to the issue or problem being examined.
❏ There are clear links to the chosen concept.
❏ The relevant parts of the supporting documents are highlighted.
❏ The documents contain sufficient depth and breadth.
Criterion C: Selection and application of tools and theories
To what extent does the student effectively select and apply business management tools and theories that are
relevant to the research question?
❏ Subject-specific terminology has been used throughout the IA.
❏ A range of business tools, techniques and theories are included in the commentary.
❏ The tools, techniques and theory are relevant to the question posed.
❏ The tools, techniques and theory are skillfully applied (i.e., in depth) showing a clear understanding. (e.g.,
SWOT factors are properly placed, fully explained, and justified).
❏ There are clear links to the chosen concept.
Criterion D: Analysis and evaluation
To what extent does the student effectively select and use data from the supporting documents in their analysis and
evaluation of the research question?
❏ Data is analyzed in-depth.
❏ Analysis is appropriate, detailed and balanced.
❏ Connections between ideas are made rather than a written report consisting of separate sections.
❏ Judgments are made.
❏ All judgments are substantiated (i.e., justified) and backed by evidence (e.g., includes references to
sources).
❏ There are clear links to the chosen concept.
❏ There is clear evidence of evaluation.
Criterion E: Conclusions
To what extent is the student’s conclusion consistent with the evidence presented and does it explicitly answer the
research question?
❏ The title question has been fully answered.
❏ The conclusion(s) is relevant and answer the question posed in the title.
❏ The conclusion(s) is supported by the data from the supporting documents.
❏ The conclusion(s) is a logical extension of the arguments.
❏ The conclusion(s) is consistent with the analysis and arguments (i.e., no new information is presented).
❏ The conclusion(s) considers all major sections of analysis previously presented.
❏ There are clear links to the chosen concept.
Criterion F: Structure
To what extent is the student’s research project organized using an appropriate structure?
❏ The IA is focused on the issue or problem identified.
❏ The IA follows a clear, logical structure from identifying the issue/problem through to the conclusion.
❏ The IA is easy to follow.
Criterion G: Presentation
To what extent is the student’s business research project effectively presented with the use of required elements
including a title page, an accurate table of contents, appropriate headings and sub-headings, and numbered pages?
❏ There is a title page displaying the IA question, course name, date submitted and word count.
❏ There is an accurate table of contents listing the headings and subheadings and their corresponding page
numbers.
❏ The commentary uses appropriate headings and subheadings (e.g., introduction, stakeholder analysis,
financial ratios, conclusion, etc.)
❏ Supporting documents are clearly labelled.
❏ Citations are clear and consistent throughout (e.g. MLA, APA, Harvard or Chicago methods have been
used).
❏ An appropriate bibliography is provided. Sources used as supporting documents are included in the
bibliography and clearly labelled.
❏ The pages are numbered.
Note: These criteria can be found on pages 56–58 of the IB BM Subject Guide.
