Overview
The historical investigation is a problem-solving activity that enables students to demonstrate the application of their skills and knowledge to a historical topic that interests them and that need not be related to the syllabus. The internal assessment allows for flexibility and should encourage students to use their own initiative. The emphasis must be on a specific historical inquiry that enables the student to develop and apply the skills of a historian by selecting and analyzing a good range of source material and managing diverse interpretations. The activity demands that students search for, select, evaluate and use evidence to reach a relevant conclusion. The investigation should be written in the specific format outlined in the booklet below.
The historical investigation is a problem-solving activity that enables students to demonstrate the application of their skills and knowledge to a historical topic that interests them and that need not be related to the syllabus. The internal assessment allows for flexibility and should encourage students to use their own initiative. The emphasis must be on a specific historical inquiry that enables the student to develop and apply the skills of a historian by selecting and analyzing a good range of source material and managing diverse interpretations. The activity demands that students search for, select, evaluate and use evidence to reach a relevant conclusion. The investigation should be written in the specific format outlined in the booklet below.
ib_ia_history_student_guide_2016-17.docx | |
File Size: | 365 kb |
File Type: | docx |
sample_ia_2017_curriculum.pdf | |
File Size: | 363 kb |
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ia_sample_moderator_comments_.pdf | |
File Size: | 116 kb |
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Candidates will be required to….
- Undertake a historical investigation using a good range of historical sources
- Focus on a topic or event that is at least 10 years before the submission date for the investigation
- Provide a title for the historical investigation that should be framed as a question
- Keep an emphasis on a specific historical inquiry that enables you to develop and apply the skills of a historian by selecting and analysing a range of source material and considering diverse perspectives
- Restrict the word limit of the historical investigation to 2,200 words. A bibliography and clear referencing of all sources must be included in the investigation, but are not included in the overall word count.
- Structure the historical investigation (for both SL and HL) according to the criteria:
- Criterion A: Identification and evaluation of sources (6 marks)
- Criterion B: Investigation (15 marks)
- Criterion C: Reflection (4 marks)
Choosing your topic
Students have a free choice of topic for their historical investigation—the topic need not be related to the syllabus, and students should be encouraged to use their own initiative when deciding on a topic. However, the topic must be historical, and therefore cannot be on an event that has happened in the last 10 years. The activity demands that students search for, select, evaluate and use evidence to reach a relevant conclusion consistent with the evidence and arguments that have been put forward.
You should consider the following:
If you are struggling to come up with an idea for a topic it might be helpful to browse through the articles on History Today. These are organised by theme and by period so you may hit on an idea this way. Remember you can access this through your MyAthens account.
The exercise below might help you narrow down your ideas if you struggling
Students have a free choice of topic for their historical investigation—the topic need not be related to the syllabus, and students should be encouraged to use their own initiative when deciding on a topic. However, the topic must be historical, and therefore cannot be on an event that has happened in the last 10 years. The activity demands that students search for, select, evaluate and use evidence to reach a relevant conclusion consistent with the evidence and arguments that have been put forward.
You should consider the following:
- It is critical to have access to sufficient evidence to research your essay
- Remember, this is a problem-solving investigation. Your title should enable you to explore and investigate different views of the historical period you choose.
- Avoid clichéd topics
- However choosing a topic from an era you know nothing about may make it difficult to place it in historical context.
If you are struggling to come up with an idea for a topic it might be helpful to browse through the articles on History Today. These are organised by theme and by period so you may hit on an idea this way. Remember you can access this through your MyAthens account.
The exercise below might help you narrow down your ideas if you struggling
Developing your Question:
You also need to remember that your research question needs to be clearly focused on one of the key historical concepts. See diagram for concepts.
You also need to remember that your research question needs to be clearly focused on one of the key historical concepts. See diagram for concepts.
Developing your Question:
- Start by identifying a general area of interest. Period, Region, Type of History, Type of investigation.
- Narrow it down to a specific question or area of investigation.
- Choose a working title that may be changed or refined at a later stage.
- Make sure sufficient resources can be obtained for the planned investigated.
- Read widely around the area of study and note down resources used.
- Read IA samples
- Review the research question and refine it if necessary.
- Take notes from resources, gathering evidence and diverse opinions.
- Ensure accurate use of referencing.
- Choose two suitable sources to evaluate in Section 1.
- Review your analysis. Check for differing viewpoints where appropriate.
- Write the investigation, according to IB guidelines.