IB History IA: 60 Examples and Guidance

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme program offers a variety of assessments for students, including Internal Assessments (IAs), which are pieces of coursework marked by students’ teachers. The History Internal Assessment (IA) is an essential component of the course and accounts for 20% of the final grade for Higher Level students and 25% for Standard Level students - although it is the same task for both levels.

In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about the IB History IA, including the structure, assessment criteria, and some tips for success.

What is the History IA?

The History IA is a historical investigation into a subject of the student’s choosing. History tutors suggest that it should be a maximum of 2,200 words, split between 3 separate sections.

Section 1 (suggested 500 words) - 6 marks
In this section, you will critically analyse two key sources that are relevant to your research question. You must:

• Clearly state the research question you have chosen to investigate, phrased as a question.
• Provide a brief explanation of the nature of the two sources you have selected for detailed analysis, including how they are relevant to your investigation.
• Analyze the two sources in detail, considering their origins, purpose, and content. You should evaluate the value and limitations of the sources in relation to your research question.

Section 2 (suggested: 1,300 words) - 15 marks

In this section, you will conduct the actual investigation into your research question. The internal assessment task allows for a wide variety of historical investigations, such as:

• a historical topic or theme using written sources or a variety of sources
• a historical topic based on fieldwork, for example, a museum, archeological site, battlefields, places of worship such as mosques or churches, historical buildings
• a historical problem using documents (this could include newspapers)
• a local history study
• a historical study based on oral interviews
• a historical investigation based on interpreting a novel, film or work of art
• a historical investigation of cultural issues.

The investigation should be well-organised and clearly focused on the research question. While there is no specific format required, it should include critical analysis and a conclusion drawn from the analysis. You should use a variety of evidence to support your argument, including primary and secondary sources.

Section 3 (suggested: 400 words) - 4 marks
In this section, you will reflect on the methods you used and challenges you faced during your investigation. You should relate your reflection specifically to your investigation and your experience as a historian, and then think more widely about how knowledge is produced in the discipline of history.

The IB suggests following these questions to inspire your reflection:

• What methods used by historians did you use in your investigation?
• What did your investigation highlight to you about the limitations of those methods?
• What are the challenges facing the historian? How do they differ from the challenges facing a scientist or a mathematician?
• What challenges in particular does archive-based history present?
• How can the reliability of sources be evaluated?
• What is the difference between bias and selection?
• What constitutes a historical event?
• Who decides which events are historically significant?
• Is it possible to describe historical events in an unbiased way?
• What is the role of the historian?
• Should terms such as “atrocity” be used when writing about history, or should value judgments be avoided?
• If it is difficult to establish proof in history, does that mean that all versions are equally acceptable?

Even A-Level tutors who specialise in A-Level History recognise the value of the History IA, appreciating its benefits and say that it should be a part of the A-Level curriculum as well to promote better learning.

Have a look at our comprehensive set of IB History Study Notes, IB History Past Papers and IB History Questions, developed by expert IB teachers and examiners!

What should I write my IA about?

It is important to note that formulating an appropriate research question is a crucial aspect of this section, which is why many students get the help of an IB History tutor to help witht the subject or even an IB English tutor to improve their essay writing skills. The six key concepts of the history course (causation, consequence, continuity, change, significance, and perspectives) can be a useful starting point for developing your research question.

Your IA can focus on something you’ve learnt about in class or develop a personal historical interest. It is best to choose a topic that you are familiar with and that you can easily access sources about.

Here are over 60 examples of potential questions and investigations compiled by IB tutors which could inspire your History IA, depending on the historical topics which you are familiar with and interested in:

1 - How justified was appeasement as a policy in the 1930s?
2 - How influential was nationalism in Germany before 1848?
3 - How decisive was Bismarck’s role in German unification?
4 - How far did the financial crisis of 1789 cause the French Revolution?
5 - How successful was the League of Nations in the 1920s?
6 - How far was the League of Nations a humanitarian success?
7 - Were technological developments the most important factor in determining the outcome of WW2?
8 - To what extent did the legal rights of women improve in Britain, 1860-1900?
9 - How central was education to Nazi Germany?
10 - To what extent can Nixon’s Vietnamization policy be considered a success?
11 - How important was the Yalta conference to the start of the Cold War?
12 - Investigating the impact of the Industrial Revolution on working-class living conditions in a specific country.
13 - How did the Cold War shape foreign policy decisions in a specific country?
14 - Can the impact of the American Civil War on slavery and race relations be analyzed using primary sources?
15 - Investigating the social and economic impacts of colonialism on a specific region or country.
16 - How did World War I shape the geopolitical landscape of Europe in the 20th century?
17 - Can the impact of the Vietnam War on American society be analyzed using popular culture as primary sources?
18 - Investigating the impact of the Russian Revolution on the formation of the Soviet Union.
19 - How did the Women's Suffrage Movement impact political participation and representation in a specific country?
20 - Can the impact of the Civil Rights Movement on race relations in America be analyzed using primary sources?
21 - Investigating the impact of the Great Depression on political and economic policies in a specific country.
22 - How did the Renaissance shape art, literature, and intellectual thought in Europe?
23 - Can the impact of the Holocaust on Jewish communities and survivors be analyzed using primary sources?
24 - Investigating the social and cultural impacts of the Harlem Renaissance on African American communities.
25 - How did the Space Race shape scientific exploration and international relations during the Cold War?
26 - Can the impact of the Chinese Cultural Revolution on Chinese society and politics be analyzed using primary sources?
27 - Investigating the impact of the French Revolution on European politics and society in the 19th century.
28 - How did the Arab-Israeli conflict shape Middle Eastern politics and international relations?
29 - Can the impact of the Cuban Missile Crisis on US foreign policy and Cold War tensions be analyzed using primary sources?
30 - Investigating the impact of the Protestant Reformation on religious and political institutions in Europe.
31 - How did the Civil Rights Movement impact political and social changes in a specific country?
32 - Can the impact of the Spanish Inquisition on Spanish society and politics be analyzed using primary sources?
33 - Investigating the social and political impacts of the British Empire on colonized countries and regions.
34 - How did the Enlightenment shape intellectual thought and political institutions in Europe?
35 - Can the impact of the Indian Independence Movement on Indian society and politics be analyzed using primary sources?
36 - Investigating the impact of the Transatlantic Slave Trade on African communities and diaspora.
37 - How did the American Revolution shape American politics and identity in the 19th and 20th centuries?
38 - Can the impact of the Rwandan Genocide on Rwandan society and politics be analyzed using primary sources?
39 - Investigating the social and cultural impacts of the Civil Rights Movement on African American communities in a specific country.
40 - How did the rise of Nazism and Fascism shape European politics and international relations before World War II?
41 - Can the impact of the Haitian Revolution on Caribbean society and politics be analyzed using primary sources?
42 - Analyzing the causes and consequences of the American Civil Rights Movement.
43 - Investigating the impact of colonization on the culture and society of indigenous peoples.
44 - Examining the role of women in the suffrage movement and the fight for equal rights.
45 - Analyzing the causes and effects of the Cuban Revolution on Cuban society and politics.
46 - Investigating the impact of the Renaissance on art, science, and humanism.
47 - Examining the role of nationalism in the unification of Italy and Germany in the 19th century.
48 - Analyzing the causes and effects of the Industrial Revolution on society and the economy.
49 - Investigating the impact of the French Revolution on the rise of democracy and liberalism.
50 - Examining the role of propaganda in shaping public opinion during World War II.
51 - Analyzing the causes and effects of the Cold War on global politics and international relations.
52 - Investigating the impact of imperialism on the economy and society of colonial powers and colonies.
53 - Analyzing the causes and effects of the Black Death on medieval Europe.
54 - Investigating the impact of the Enlightenment on political thought and revolution.
55 - Examining the role of human rights activism in the struggle for social justice and equality.
56 - Analyzing the causes and effects of the Mexican Revolution on Mexican society and politics.
57 - Investigating the impact of the Mongol Empire on Eurasian trade and cultural exchange.
58 - Examining the role of slavery in the development of the Atlantic economy and global trade.
59 - Analyzing the causes and effects of the Russian Revolution on Russian society and politics.
60 - Investigating the impact of the Transatlantic Slave Trade on African societies and cultures.
61 - Examining the role of protest and civil disobedience in social and political change.
62 - Analyzing the causes and effects of the Protestant Reformation on European society and religion.
63 - Investigating the impact of the Silk Road on trade and cultural exchange in Eurasia.
64 - Examining the role of ideology in the rise of totalitarian regimes in the 20th century.
65 - Analyzing the causes and effects of the Spanish-American War on Spanish and American society and politics.
66 - Investigating the impact of the Crusades on European and Middle Eastern societies and cultures.
67 - Examining the role of technology in warfare and military strategy throughout history.
68 - Analyzing the causes and effects of the Partition of India on South Asian society and politics.
69 - Investigating the impact of the Age of Exploration on global trade and cultural exchange.
70 - Examining the role of revolutions in the development of modern nation-states and democracy.

What are the assessment criteria?

Before starting the IA, you should remind yourself of the marking criteria from the IB. Paying close attention to hitting each criterion will allow you to maximise your score.

Criterion A: Identification and evaluation of sources (6 marks)

To score highly, the student should:

• Clearly state their research question
• Identify and select relevant sources
• Clearly explain how the sources relate to the research question
• Perform a thorough analysis and evaluation of the two sources
• Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the sources in relation to the research question, specifically considering the sources' origins, purpose, and content

Criterion B: Investigation (15 marks)

The investigation should:

• Be clear, coherent and effectively organized
• Contain well-developed critical analysis that is focused clearly on the stated question
• Use evidence from a range of sources effectively to support the argument
• Evaluate different perspective
• Argue to a reasoned conclusion that is consistent with the evidence and arguments provided

Criterion C: Reflection (4 marks)

The reflection should:

• Be clearly focused on what the investigation highlighted to the student about the methods used by the historian
• Demonstrate clear awareness of challenges facing the historian and/or limitations of the methods used by the historian
• Clearly connect the reflection to the rest of the investigation

What sources should I use for Section 1?

You could use primary or secondary sources for Section 1. Primary sources provide a first-hand account of an event or time period. Secondary sources are interpretations and analyses based on primary sources.

The important things to consider are that the sources directly relate to your research question and give you interesting things to analyse for their values and limitations. For example, it may be useful to choose a primary source from someone who had a vested interest in depicting a certain version of a historical event. You should then reference the sources you choose for Section 1 in your Section 2 investigation.

Once you have chosen your sources, you need to explicitly analyse the values and limitations of each source, for each of: origin, purpose, and content. This can be effectively structured in two paragraphs from each source: one for values and one for limitations.

How is the IA graded?

It is graded by the student’s teacher, who is trained and certified by the International Baccalaureate organization. The report is then sent to a moderator, who will check that the report adheres to the IB guidelines and that the grade awarded is appropriate.

Source: IB History HL Subject Brief

Conclusion

In conclusion, to do well in the IB History Internal Assessment (IA), it is essential to develop a strong research question that is focused on a historical issue or problem. Selecting appropriate and relevant sources, conducting a thorough analysis, writing a clear and well-structured conclusion, and providing a reflective statement on the research process are all critical components of a high-scoring IA. Additionally, it is important to follow the guidelines and formatting instructions, review, edit and proofread the IA multiple times, and seek feedback from your school teacher or tutor. By following these guidelines and approaches, students can ensure that their IA is well-researched, well-written, and effectively communicates their understanding of the historical issue or problem.