For internal assessment, a number of assessment criteria have been identified. Each assessment criterion has level descriptors describing specific achievement levels, together with an appropriate range of marks. The level descriptors concentrate on positive achievement, although for the lower levels failure to achieve may be included in the description.
The HL business management research project is assessed against nine criteria that are related to the assessment objectives for the business management course. Criterion A refers to the research proposal, while criteria B–I are used to assess the written report.
When the work to be assessed has been read, the descriptors for each criterion should be studied until a descriptor is reached that most appropriately describes the achievement level. If a piece of work seems to fall between two descriptors, both descriptors should be read again and the one that more appropriately describes the student’s work chosen.
There are nine assessment criteria for the research project.
• Criterion A: Research proposal
• Criterion B: Sources and data
• Criterion C: Use of tools, techniques and theories
• Criterion D: Analysis and evaluation
• Criterion E: Conclusions
• Criterion F: Recommendations
• Criterion G: Structure
• Criterion H: Presentation
• Criterion I: Reflective thinking
Scoring-Sheet-HL-2019.pdfCriterion A: Research proposal
This criterion assesses the extent to which the student presents a research proposal that gives an effective direction for the project, with all the required elements.
Please note: Criterion A should be used to assess the research proposal only.
Criterion B: Sources and data (written report)
This criterion assesses the extent to which the student selects primary sources and collects primary data which address an issue or a decision to be made by an organization or a range of organizations in appropriate depth and breadth.
Criterion C: Use of tools, techniques and theories (written report)
This criterion assesses the extent to which the student understands and applies relevant business management tools, techniques and theories so that a greater insight into the situation of the organization ensues.
Criterion D: Analysis and evaluation (written report)
This criterion assesses the extent to which the student uses his or her results and findings effectively in order to explain the issue or decision to be made and is able to integrate his or her ideas coherently. This criterion also assesses the extent to which the student evaluates his or her arguments and makes judgments that are well substantiated.
Criterion E: Conclusions (written report)
This criterion assesses the extent to which the student is able to draw relevant conclusions based on the analysis of the report.
Criterion F: Recommendations (written report)
This criterion assesses the extent to which the student is able to make substantiated recommendations that are consistent with the conclusions made and answer the research question.
Criterion G: Structure (written report)
This criterion assesses the extent to which the student organizes his or her ideas into a structured report with an argument that is easy to follow.
Criterion H: Presentation (written report)
This criterion assesses the extent to which the student presents all the required components of the written report in the correct order and format.
Criterion I: Reflective thinking (written report)
This criterion assesses the extent to which the student is able to reflect critically on the approach taken in this piece of research.
