Business and Management IA Criteria and Checklist

Starting to write any IA can be overwhelming as there are many criteria to be met. If you are struggling with your investigation or simply want to get to know the requirements, Clastify comes to the rescue! Keep reading to learn about our suggestions on how to maximize your grade from Business and Management IA.

This IA is graded for 25 points, contributing 30% to the final assessment in the SL course and 20% to the final assessment in the HL course. Starting from May 2024 the Business and Management IA assessment criteria have changed! Make sure that you are up to date with the new standards. 
 

Criterion A: Integration of a key concept - 5 points
The first criterion assesses how effectively your report integrates the analysis of the connection between the key concept and the organization under study. The IA must include one of the concepts: change, creativity, ethics, or sustainability. Refer to this concept throughout your whole IA - in the introduction, while analysing the findings, and in the conclusion.  
 

For a maximum of 5 points: 


Clearly identify one of the key concepts: change, creativity, ethics, or sustainability and feature it on the title page for clear identification.

Concentrate the analysis on a single business.

Define a focused research question addressing either the company's past issues or its future. The problem must relate to the syllabus.

Provide background information about the chosen organization together and a clear outline of the issue or problem under investigation.

Explain the methodology used to investigate the identified issue or problem and consistently analyze its connection to the key concept throughout the entire IA.
 

See an exemplar highly scored for this criterion. 


Criterion B: Supporting documents - 4 points
Your work has to be based on 3 to 5 supporting documents, which can be a maximum of 3 years old. Make sure that the chosen literature is relevant in the context of your study and that the documents highlight different aspects of the investigated issue. 
 

For a maximum of 4 points: 


Include three to five contemporary supporting documents, all published within the three years preceding the IA submission. 

Allow a maximum of one supporting document to be a transcript of video or audio material. If a transcript is used, provide essential points from the video or audio file within the transcript.

Highlight parts of each supporting document directly related to the IA.

Ensure that supporting documents are both relevant and sufficiently in-depth for a comprehensive analysis and that they offer a range of ideas and views regarding the IA topic.

Assess the validity and reliability of the supporting documents in the IA.
 

Check out the selection and application of supporting documents here.
 

Criterion C: Selection and application of tools and theories - 4 points
Throughout the report, you must use different tools and theories to investigate the research question. Start by referring to theories in the introduction while providing the context of your study and further employ management tools in the analysis. Choose them appropriately -  they must bring value to the research. 
 

For a maximum of 4 points: 


Apply relevant business tools and theories for presenting and analyzing findings from supporting documents.

Clearly define and explain the chosen business management tools, techniques, and theories.

Interpret findings by highlighting the main themes emerging from supporting document analysis. Explain their significance in addressing the research question.

Integrate sources and data with the IA in a clear and cohesive manner.

Clearly state the strengths and weaknesses of supporting document findings in relation to the issue or implications.
 

See how to refer to management tools and theories based on this IA. 
 

Check out our free Business and Management IA exemplars
View all exemplars on Clastify





























Criterion D: Analysis and evaluation - 5 points
The aim of your investigation is to select and use data from the supporting documents to find the answer to the research question. Therefore your findings must be backed by the information available in the documents - refer directly to them. To obtain points for the evaluation assess the credibility and relevance of your findings. Think of possible extensions to your study, and point out the strengths and weaknesses of your methodology.  
 

For a maximum of 5 points:


Ensure a coherent integration of ideas and issues, presenting them in a logical order.

Select and use supporting document data effectively, facilitating a robust analysis and evaluation of the research question.

Integrate business concepts appropriately with the arguments and implications presented.

Consistently evaluate introduced findings and ideas, addressing their benefits and drawbacks.

Conclude with a summary that synthesizes subsequent findings based on the analytical tools employed.
 

See this analysis and evaluation. 


Criterion E: Conclusions - 3 points 
For this criterion, you must efficiently summarize the findings and clearly state the answer to the research question. Do not introduce any new arguments in the conclusion, everything must be supported by the previous sections. 
 

For a maximum of 3 points:


Ensure conclusions align with the evidence presented throughout the IA.

Avoid introducing new facts or arguments in the conclusion.

State any aspects or remaining uncertainties in the conclusion that the analysis did not address. 

Offer realistic and appropriate ideas to extend the study beyond its current scope.

Restate and provide a clear answer to the research question in the conclusion.
 

This is an example of a good conclusion.
 

Criterion F: Structure - 2 points  
Your IA must have an appropriate structure. We suggest that it includes: an introduction, analysis, and conclusion with evaluation, which should be subdivided and properly labeled. 
 

For a total of 2 points:


Present well-organized ideas that are easy to follow throughout the report.

State a clear and consistent argument that directly addresses the research question.  

In the introduction, provide initial context, background information about the business organization, a clear outline of the issue, and details about the methodology used.

In the main body, present findings from supporting documents, analyze them using business tools, and evaluate strengths, weaknesses, remaining uncertainties, and future implications.

Conclude by answering the research question. 


Criterion G: Presentation - 2 points 
To obtain points for presentation you have to include a title page, an accurate table of contents, appropriate headings and sub-headings, and numbered pages.

For a total of 2 points: 


Ensure the work stays within the 1800-word limit, include the word count on the title page.

Organize the IA with a title page followed by a table of contents on the next page. Make sure that all pages are numbered. 

Begin sections and paragraphs with appropriate headings or sub-headings.

Attach 3-5 supporting documents to the IA.

Include a bibliography at the end, clearly stating all references to supporting documents and externally sourced information.
 

Check out this exemplar to get a glimpse of the matter. 

We hope that you no longer have any doubts regarding the assessment criteria for Business Management IA. However, if you want to make sure that your report is well-written you can submit your work for review. Experienced Clastify reviewers will use a detailed markscheme to provide you with helpful recommendations on how to improve your internal assessment. 




ChatGPT - based on this data, suggest me research questions and the related key concepts and the 2-3 relevant business tools for analysis if I wanna write a 7-scoring IB Business Management HL IA. Wr