Internal Assessments Requirements & Deadlines

Historical Investigation 0 Specific historical enquiry that allows student to develop the skills of a historian 0 Student will search for, select, evaluate and use evidence to reach a decision or solve a problem word written account 0 It is not an essay 0 It is an investigation divided into specific sections 0 20% of HL History OR 25% of SL History 0 Internally assessed, externally moderated

Internal Assessment 0 Topic choice must be historical (duh!). 0 It CANNOT be related to your extended essay. It CAN be a modification of other historical research you have done (9 th grade research paper, 11 th grade oral history, etc.) 0 It cannot deal with an event in the last TEN YEARS 0 I STRONGLY suggest that it be related to a topic on which you likely will be tested in May – see course outline 0 I want a topic idea submitted to me by October 1, 2015

Really Important 0 The history IA is not a history research paper per se. It is supposed to be an exercise in historiography, that is, interpreting, explaining, assessing and/or evaluating (not just describing) an event. Therefore, it is important to find a history topic that remains disputed by scholars, so that you can look at multiple points of views and controversy about the evidence. 0 One of the best things you can do in writing this is to look at examples of both well-written and poorly- written IAs, as well as pay complete attention to the mark scheme for each section of the IA.

Keys to a good IA 0 There are three keys to creating an Internal Assessment that will earn you the highest score. 0 Follow the exact format and include all required sections 0 Do NOT procrastinate; get your research done well before the draft is due, and make sure your research is well done (proper citation, good sources, etc.) 0 Turn in as complete a rough draft as soon as possible, allowing me to comment on it. Rough drafts will be due JANUARY 5, 2016.

Historical Investigation Sections A - Plan of Investigation ( words) B - Summary of Evidence ( words) C - Evaluation of Sources ( words) D - Analysis ( words) E - Conclusion ( words) F - List of Sources

Plan of Investigation (A) 0 Three major parts: 0 Question, which should be focused and stated clearly 0 Scope, which examines the issues to be addressed by the question 0 Methods to be used in the investigation 0 Marked out of 3

A A Plan of the investigation Marks Level descriptor 0 There is no plan of the investigation, or it is wrong 1 The research question, method and scope of the investigation are not clearly mentioned 2 The research question is clearly mentioned. The method and scope of the investigation are discussed and related to the research question. 3 The research question is clearly stated. The method and scope of the investigation are fully developed and closely focused on the research question.

Summary of Evidence (B) 0 The facts, the facts, the facts! 0 Needs to be organized and referenced. 0 Quotes can be used but they need to be set in context. 0 Limited or poor sources indicate a lack of thorough research and affects the marks in this section. 0 Marked out of 6

B B Summary of evidence Marks Level descriptor 0 There are no facts/material relating to your topic 1–2 There are some relevant facts but it has not been referenced. 3–4 There are relevant facts which clearly shows evidence of research, organization and referencing. 5–6 The factual material is all relevant to the investigation and it has been well researched, organized and correctly referenced.

Evaluation of Sources (C) OPVL 0 Evaluation of two of the most important sources used in the investigation 0 The evaluation should clearly refer to the source’s origin, purpose, value and limitation. 0 The emphasis is on thorough evaluation 0 The intent is to assess the usefulness of the sources and not to describe their content. 0 This is not a comparison. 0 Marked out of 5

C C Evaluation of sources Marks Level descriptor 0 There is no description or evaluation of the sources. 1 The sources are described but there is no reference to their origin, purpose, value and limitation. 2–3 There is some evaluation of the sources but reference to their origin, purpose, value and limitation may be limited. 4–5 There is evaluation of the sources and explicit reference to their origin, purpose, value and limitation.

Analysis (D) 0 Each of the following needs to be included in this section: 0 Importance of the investigation in its historical context 0 Analysis of the evidence, not a restatement of the evidence 0 Show awareness of the significance of sources evaluated 0 Differing interpretations, when appropriate 0 Marked out of 6

D D Analysis Marks Level descriptor 0 There is no analysis. 1–2 There is some attempt at analysing the evidence presented in section B. 3–4 There is analysis of the evidence presented in section B and references are included. You might show some awareness of the importance to the investigation of the sources evaluated in section C. Where appropriate, different interpretations are considered. 5–6 There is critical analysis of the evidence presented in section B, accurate referencing, and an awareness of the importance to the IA of the sources evaluated in section C. Where appropriate, different interpretations are analysed.

Conclusion (E) 0 Clearly stated and consistent with the evidence presented in the paper. 0 No new evidence should be presented here. 0 No “Perry Mason conclusions”. 0 Marked out of 2

E E Conclusion Marks Level descriptor 0 There is no conclusion, or the conclusion is not related. 1 The conclusion is stated but is not entirely consistent with the evidence presented. 2 The conclusion is clearly stated and consistent with the evidence presented.

List of Sources and Word Count (F) 0 Bibliography or list of sources in an appropriate format 0 Alphabetize by author’s last name 0 Word count should be between 1500 and 2000 words, no points can be awarded if the IA goes over 2000 words but if it is under 1500 there is now no penalty. 0 Word count must be stated on the title page. 0 Marked out of 3

F F Sources and word limit Marks Level descriptor 0 A list of sources is not included or the investigation is not within the word limit. 1 A list of sources is included but these are limited or one standard method is not used consistently or the word count is not clearly and accurately stated on the title page. 2 A list of sources using one standard method is included and the investigation is within the word limit. 3 A suitable list of sources, using one standard method, is included. The investigation is within the word limit.

Planning your historical investigation 1.Start by identifying a general area of interest. 2.Narrow it down to a specific question or area of investigation. 3.Choose a working title that may be changed or refined at a later stage. 4.Make sure sufficient resources can be obtained for the planned investigation. 5.Complete section A, the plan, and evaluate the suitability of the research area. 6.Read widely around the area of study and note down resources used.

7.Review the research question and refine if necessary. 8.Take notes from resources, gathering evidence and diverse opinions. 9.Ensure accurate use of referencing. 10.Sort evidence thematically or chronologically. 11.Choose two suitable sources to evaluate in section C. 12.Review your analysis. Check for differing viewpoints where appropriate. 13.Write the investigation, according to IB guidelines.

Advice (Do’s)  It is advisable to put each section on a new page  Keep a track of your bibliography as you are working, do not leave it to the last minute  A bibliography or list of sources and all citations, using one method, must be included; any illustrations, documents, or other supporting evidence should be included in an appendix. None of these will form part of the word count but do not use this for crucial information to your analysis. It is not intended as a dumping ground if you go over the word limit!  Organize your time and set clear objectives – if you aren’t meeting these seek help.  Keep the mark scheme with you at all times and refer to it often.

Other Considerations  WORD COUNT – , does not include Works Cited, footnotes, appendices or similar documentation  PAST WEAKNESSES OF IAs  Insufficient number of resources; use of inappropriate resources (esp. websites)  Inadequate citation in the document  Inadequate/incomplete reference style  Excessive narrative as opposed to analysis

Examples of Good/Bad IA Questions 0 How have women’s roles changed under Castro? 0 Problem: too descriptive, doesn’t lend itself to discussing interpretation, what is the time frame? 0 FIX: To what extent were Castro’s efforts to achieve gender equality between 1959 and 1990 driven by ideological interests, versus political and economic ones?

Examples of Good/Bad IA Questions 0 New warfare technologies used in WWI 0 Problem: too broad, how is “use” to be understood?; this is not a research question 0 FIX: Did the military commands involved in WWI comprehend how new war technologies (planes, tanks, etc.) were going to effect how battles were fought, and did they adjust their strategies accordingly?

Examples of Good/Bad IA Questions 0 The US Civil War 0 Problem: way too broad, no focus, would lead to pure description 0 FIX: What conditions and factors explain the victory of the Union forces over those of the Confederacy in the American Civil War?

Create a good IA question 0 Topic: Hitler’s Rise to Power Suggest some good internal assessment research questions based on this topic.