IB Business Management is an important component of the diploma course because it teaches students to analyze, discuss, and evaluate different business activities at different levels.
Once you understand business management theories, the tools, and the techniques required in the subject, getting a 7 for your Internal Assessment becomes easy.
The following are tips you can use to score a 7 in IB Business IA:
- Understand the requirements.
- Select a business to investigate.
- Do in-depth research.
- Create a plan.
- Be strategic.
- Ask for help.
- Cite sources.
- Use analytical tools.
1. Understand the Requirements
IB Business IA at HL requires primary research and rigorous critical thinking.
- Conduct primary research using methods such as questionnaires, surveys, interviews, or discussions with focus groups.
- Ensure your primary research methods are relevant to the business you have selected for study.
For IB Business IA at SL, the focus is primarily on selecting a business you can thoroughly investigate and the emphasis is on conducting comprehensive secondary research.
When it comes to selecting a company to study, consider one that you are familiar with or one with which you have had some prior experience. Starting with something you already know provides a foundation of understanding and makes the research process easy.
2. Select a Business to Investigate
Conducting secondary research is typically more straightforward at the Standard Level, especially for students studying second languages.
Higher Level students need to consider focusing on small businesses in their local community since the emphasis is on primary research.
When selecting a company to study, it’s beneficial to choose one that either manufactures or markets products that interest you, or operates within a field you are passionate about potentially working in. This ensures your research is engaging and relevant to your personal and career interests.
3. Do In-depth Research
Conducting thorough research is essential across all subjects in the IB curriculum, including the IB Business IA at Standard and High Levels.
- Gather necessary information meticulously and ensure accurate referencing of all sources in both your initial draft and final version of the work.
- Keep a record of your ideas, on paper or in digital form, to maintain clarity and organization during the research process.
Ensure you have ample content that aligns with the assessment criteria when researching a company, particularly at Higher Level where the assignment spans 2,000 words and 1,500 words at Standard Level.
The assessment criterion of the IA includes depth of analysis, integration of relevant business tools, and clear application of theoretical concepts to practical scenarios.
4. Create a Plan
Develop a structured plan once you’ve completed your preliminary planning and brainstorming.
You have the flexibility to organize this strategy in whichever format suits you best, whether that’s bullet points or paragraphs. Just ensure everything is logically ordered.
Keep in mind that your plan should incorporate various business tools such as SWOT analysis or the Boston Matrix.
If you’re writing the Business IA in HL (Higher Level), you might need to extend your plan to cover additional HL areas from your syllabus. Therefore, make sure to include any advanced business tools covered in the HL chapters into your strategy for comprehensive analysis.
5. Be Strategic
Ensure you have a clear plan for organizing your tools and analyses.
- The introduction should introduce the company, specify its business type, and explain how your research topic relates to your findings.
- Your analysis section should consolidate all your ideas. Each paragraph should conclude with evaluations or concise versions of your conclusions.
- Include the bibliography at the end of your IB Business Internal Assessment to document all your sources properly.
6. Ask for Help
Your instructor is your best resource for achieving a thorough understanding of your questions. They are dedicated to helping you maximize your chances of getting a high score, possibly even a 7, on your assignment.
By asking questions, you not only clarify uncertainties but also gain new knowledge and perspectives.
Your instructor can provide valuable insights and guidance on applying classroom concepts to real-world scenarios. Approach them with your questions, as they are likely to offer practical information and encourage critical thinking in your studies.
7. Cite Sources
Ensure your research documents are well organized.
According to the criteria for the IB Business IA, your work should include three to five supporting research publications that are relevant to substantiate your answer to the research question.
Acceptable sources can include accounting records, media reports, web publications, and other verified reliable materials. However, ensure that these sources are not more than two years old.
Furthermore, it is crucial that the sources you select offer a diverse array of perspectives and viewpoints on the topic at hand. This diversity will enrich your analysis and strengthen the credibility of your findings.
8. Use Analytical Tools
To address the research question posed, employing analytics techniques to scrutinize content from supporting sources is essential. Throughout the review process, it is critical to assess the data utilized in the entire analysis. Validating the legitimacy of arguments requires access to a minimum of two quantitative and two qualitative analytical tools.
Any assessments regarding the relevance of ideas must be substantiated by evidence. Evaluating not only the structure of the supporting articles but also the rationale behind the arguments presented is imperative. It is important to ensure that the conclusion aligns with the initial research question posed.