Discover BM IA HL easy explanation to score 7 points
BM IA HL is a piece of 2500 words which is further divided into 500 words for research proposal and 2000 words for the main body. The BM HL IA has 25% weighting and requires no more than 30 hours to be spent.
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A student pursuing BM HL IA is required to submit 500 words worth research planning which is a planning document that details about how a student is going to do the internal assessment. This requires choosing a topic from a real-life business entity and not a fictitious one. It is an opportunity for the student to look for real life issues and analysing decisions of the business which they are about to take. Typically, BM HL IA is done on futuristic topics and therefore the research question, very often starts from ‘Should’ however it is not compulsory. In simple words, research question (RQ) must be forward looking.
The research proposal in bm ia hl has required format consisting of following components:
- Research question
- Proposed methodology, including:
- the rationale for study
- areas of the syllabus to be covered
- possible sources of information
- organizations and individuals to be approached
- methods to be used to collect and analyse data, and the reason for choosing them
- the order of activities and timescale of the project
- Internal assessment
- Action Plan
The main body (written report) of the BM HL IA must consist of following sections:
- Title page
- Acknowledgements
- Contents page
- Executive summary (abstract)
- Introduction
- Research question
- Methodology employed
- Main results and findings
- Analysis and discussions
- Conclusions and recommendations
Students must note that the followings are not included in the word count:
- Title page
- Acknowledgments
- Contents page
- Executive summary (abstract)
- Tables of statistical data
- Diagrams or figures
- Equations, formulae, and calculations
- Citations
- References
- Bibliography
- Appendices
Some samples of the BM IA can be found here.
What are BM internal assessment IB criteria for HL?
Criterion A- Research Proposal
A maximum of 3 marks and a minimum of 0 can be achieved in this criterion. The examiners look at how effectively a student has demonstrated a sense of direction for the project with all the required elements. However, most students confuse between the action plan and timeline of the activities. It must be completed in not more than 500 words.
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Criterion B- Sources of data (written report)
A maximum of 3 marks and a minimum of 0 can be achieved in this criterion. Criterion B is about the extent to which students select primary sources and collect sources. A student earns 3 marks when the data collected are adequate, suitable, and has a variety. Major emphasis is on primary sources that may include interviews, surveys, questionnaires, and group discussions.
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Criterion C – Use of tools techniques and theories (written report)
A maximum of 3 marks and a minimum of 0 can be achieved in this criterion. A student can get 3 marks when he/she understands and applies relevant business management tools, techniques, and theories, skilfully. What matters is the correct choice of tool that answers the research question in the best possible manner.
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Criterion D- Analysis and evaluation (written report)
A maximum of 6 marks and a minimum of 0 can be achieved in this criterion. This criterion has the maximum weighting. This criterion explains the extent to which student applies results and findings effectively. The examiner will look at skillful analysis of them apart from the assimilation of ideas and coherent proof of evaluation. The idea is to see the extent to which student has been able to judge the conditions and arrive at a meaningful outcome. Skillful application of tool and theory suggests that whether the student has been able to make maximum use of tools and theories, given the nature of the research question.
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Criterion E- Conclusions (written report)
A maximum of 2 marks and a minimum of 0 can be achieved in this criterion. A student can score 2 when he/she has made conclusions based on consistent evidence in the main body of the report apart from identification of areas of further study. The conclusion must have evidence of the tools and theories using which the student is giving a judgment for or against the research question.
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Criterion F – Recommendations (written report)
A maximum of 2 marks and a minimum of 0 can be achieved in this criterion. What matters here in this criterion is, whether the recommendations are as per the conclusions.
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Criterion G- Structure (written report)
A maximum of 2 marks and a minimum of 0 can be achieved in this criterion. A student can get 2 marks if he/she has organized his/her ideas into a report that has an appropriate structure.
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Criterion H – Presentation (written report)
A maximum of 2 marks and a minimum of 0 can be achieved in this criterion. A student can earn maximum 2 marks if the written report includes all the required elements in the proper order and required design.
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Criterion I – Reflective thinking (written report)
A maximum of 2 marks and a minimum of 0 can be achieved in this criterion. Reflective thinking means expression and mirroring your own work. This may include limitations and the approach taken on research.
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You may also like to read about ESS IA and IBDP Revision packs of SEV7N
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