Quick Answer
Most IB IAs follow a similar structure: Introduction (research question and context), Methodology (what you did and why), Results/Analysis (data and interpretation), Evaluation (strengths, limitations, improvements), and Conclusion. Always check your specific subject guide for exact requirements.
What You'll Learn
- Read your subject's IA criteria before starting
- Every section should connect back to your research question
- Evaluation must be specific, not generic
- Quality and depth beats length every time
Understanding IA Structure Across Subjects
While each IB subject has specific IA requirements, most share common structural elements. Understanding this framework helps you organise your work effectively and ensures you address all assessment criteria. The structure exists to guide your thinking, from a clear question, through rigorous investigation, to honest evaluation of what you found.
Pro Tip
Before you start writing, read your subject's IA criteria carefully. Highlight the specific requirements and create a checklist to ensure you address each one.
The Research Question or Focus
Every strong IA begins with a clear, focused research question or investigation focus. This should be specific enough to investigate thoroughly within your word limit, connected to your subject's syllabus, personally engaging to you, and phrased as a question or clear statement of intent.
- Science IAs: Focus on cause-and-effect relationships you can test experimentally
- Humanities IAs: Frame analytical questions that allow for multiple perspectives
- Economics: Your article choice essentially determines your investigation focus
- Mathematics: Clear statement of the mathematical concept you're exploring
Watch Out
Avoid yes/no questions. The best research questions invite exploration, analysis, and evaluation rather than simple answers.
Methodology and Approach
Your methodology section explains what you did and, crucially, why you did it that way. This demonstrates your understanding of appropriate investigative methods for your subject.
- 1Explain your overall approach and justify why it's appropriate
- 2Detail specific methods, materials, or sources used
- 3Address how you controlled variables or ensured reliability
- 4Discuss any ethical considerations relevant to your investigation
- 5Acknowledge limitations of your chosen approach
Pro Tip
Write your methodology in enough detail that someone else could replicate your investigation. This demonstrates rigour and helps examiners assess your approach.
Results, Analysis, and Interpretation
This is where you present what you found and, more importantly, what it means. Raw results alone don't score marks. It's your interpretation and connection to your research question that demonstrates understanding.
- Present data clearly using appropriate formats (tables, graphs, quotations)
- Explain what your results show, not just what they are
- Connect findings back to your research question throughout
- Use subject-specific terminology accurately
- Identify patterns, trends, anomalies, or key themes
- Explain the significance of your findings in relation to broader concepts
Evaluation and Critical Reflection
Evaluation is where many students lose marks by being superficial. Strong evaluation honestly assesses the strengths and limitations of your work and suggests specific, realistic improvements.
- Evaluate the reliability and validity of your data or sources
- Discuss specific limitations (not vague statements like 'human error')
- Suggest concrete improvements that would address identified limitations
- Consider alternative approaches or interpretations
- Reflect on what you learned and how your understanding developed
Watch Out
Avoid generic limitations like 'I could have collected more data.' Be specific: explain what additional data, why it would help, and how you would collect it.
Formatting and Presentation
While content matters most, clear presentation helps examiners engage with your work and find what they're looking for. Good formatting also reflects the care you've put into your investigation.
- Use clear headings and subheadings that match your subject's requirements
- Number pages and include a header with your candidate number
- Label all diagrams, tables, and figures with clear captions
- Use consistent formatting throughout (fonts, spacing, margins)
- Include a bibliography in the required format for your subject
- Stay within the word or page limit. Quality over quantity