BM Investigation Corner

YOUR STEP BY STEP JOURNEY GUIDE

Internal assessment is an integral part of the course and is compulsory for BM students.

It enables students to demonstrate the application of their skills and knowledge, and to pursue their personal interests, without the time limitations and other constraints that are associated with written examinations.

Welcome to your Investigation Room - wishing you a successful journey!

IA Gantt Chart

My Personal BM IA Book

STATION ONE: Setting the Ground

Step 1: Download a copy of your BM IA Guide

IA Guide.pdf

Step 2: Get an overview

01-Introduction to BM IA

Step 3: Understand about Conceptual Learning, and Familiarize yourself with the concepts

IA Conceptual Learning.pdf

CCES Concept Page

Step 4: Explore & Discover your point of interest

Click Here to Explore BM Case Studies

↓ Work with the form ↓

BM IA Station 1.1 - Point of Interest

Step 5: Good vs. Poor Research Question

03-Research Question

↓ Work with the form ↓

Station 1 - The Research Question, Practice 1

Step 6: Create a Journal Book

Note: Journaling is a very important step. Keeping a journal book will help you organize your thoughts, plan your tasks, and assist you in time management. See suggestions for different journaling tool ideas: link

STATION TWO: Planning

Step 1: Point of Interest, Making Final Choices

↓ Work with the form ↓

Station 2 - Point of Interest, Making Choices

Step 2: Check-Point...Start to gain momentum

02-IA Starting Step by Step

Journal Entry Point

Step 3: Become familiar with the Proposal Guide

2C-Reseach Proposal

This guide summarizes everything you need to prepare your research proposal.

Remember an important point: The proposal is a live/working document. It is your organized guide through the process. As you move along the research project, some parts of the proposal will evolve. Keep an open mind

Step 4: Methodology Design

↓ Work with the form ↓

IA Station 2 - Initial Data Tracking

Step 5: Design the BM Framework

↓↓ Consult with the BM framework & Tools ↓↓

IA_BM Theoretical Framework

Step 6: Write the Proposal

BM IA Station 2.3 - RQ Proposal

Step 7: Prepare a Timeline Gantt Chart

Click here & scroll down to the Gantt Chart guide

Step 8: Check-Point....Gain momentum, Set the pace, Sign your IA Contract, and let's go...

2D-On the Road

⏳ SUBMISSION POINT - IA Proposal ⏳

STATION THREE: Data Collection

Step 1: What is IB looking for?

This document offers a checklist of important things you should bear in mind when undertaking primary and secondary source research in BM

Research skills.pdf

Step 2: Review IB IA Marking Criteria B + C

Clarfification for BM IA Marking Criteria [2026].pdf

Step 3: Additional Requirements for Supporting Documents

Open InThinking IA Page, and scroll to the topic: Supporting documents for the IA, to review important information about collecting and sorting data, to ensure compliance with the IA marking criteria

Step 4: Adopt the Triangular System

The RQ is the compass
Methodology & Framework have to compliment each other while both together pointing towards the RQ

Step 5: Assemble your Final Methodology & BM Framework

↓ Work with both forms simultaneously ↓

BM IA Station 3.2 - Final Data Tracking

BM IA Station 3.1 - BM Framework

Click to See Exemplar Work by Seoyeon. BM Senior C'2025

Step 5: Loop back to the proposal to refine your framework

As you are collecting data, secondary and/or primary:

Take moment to identify any modification to your methodology.
Make any necessary adjustment to your proposal
Journal any thoughts, feelings, struggles, and action notes in your diary

4.4-Market Research

Review UNIT 4.4 Market Research

In the textbook and slides, there are important tips on how to conduct research. The slides also include some activities that can guide your work.

Visit Unit 4.4 Market Research

For Guidelines on Primary Data Collection

Click ↓↓

Primary Data Collection Guide

Journal Entry Point

STATION FOUR: Analysis & Written Report

Begin with the End in Mind

Step 1: Continue to review the document explaining in detail the marking criteria, focus on all criteria A-G

Repeat this step several times throughout your IA journey

↓↓↓

Clarfification for BM IA Marking Criteria [2026].pdf

Apply BM Tools & Theories [TT]

Step 2: Test out various BM tools & theories [TT] (even if you will not use in your IA paper)

Consider...

1. Consider applying a STEEPLE & SWOT, only to better understand the business background

CAUTION: do not force a STEEPLE and/or SWOT in your IA paper unless it 100% adds value and is a better choice than other tools. Examiners don't like this!

2. Any tool you test out builds up your BM proficiency and helps you prepare for the final and IB exams.

3. Check-in with your teacher when and if in doubt

Your IA Toolkit & TTT...Click the button ⬇

BM Toolbox

↓ Work with the form ↓

Station 4 - TTT

↓ Work with the form ↓

BM IA Station 4.1 - [HL] Financial Ratio Analysis

Design a Layout

Step 3: Plan your Narrative, Design a Layout.

Consider...

1. How do I use the body of the report to effectively evaluate the RQ?

2. Which are 3 tools, theories & technique (TTT) that add most value & perspective (supported by the supporting documents)

3. What order should the TTT be presented to make the most effective arguments?

4. How to organize my sub-sections so the narrative flows from the RQ to the conclusion?

CAUTION: avoid a choppy research paper, where there is no flow. Examiners don't like this!

TIP: When writing your draft, be an editor and test out various formats. Don't worry if you don't get the flow right from the start. You can shuffle and reorganize your ideas and edit your draft multiple times. ALLOW TIME & SPACE for THAT!

↓ Work with the form ↓

Put it all Together

Step 4: Write your research paper.

Consider...

1. Assemble your ideas into sections & subsection.

2. Check InThinking → IA → Recommended format for the IA

CAUTION: in the body section - avoid a fragmented approach. Examiners don't like this! What is listed in InThinking are the items to be included in the body, not the order.

TIP: All components of the body must be integrated and interweaved within.

3. Introduction does not have to be written first.

Step 5: Consult with the Draft CheckList ↓↓

↓ Work with the form ↓

BM IA Station 4.4 - Grand CheckList

Step 5: Fill in a personal IA Draft Evaluation ↓↓

↓ Work with the form ↓

Station 4.4 - IA Self Evaluation

⏳ SUBMISSION POINT - IA Feedback Draft ⏳

Journal Entry Point

STATION 5: Final Steps

Under construction

IA Additional Resources

To gain a deeper hands-on understanding of the IA marking criteria and assessment objective

Download an IA sample provided in Google Classroom
Retrieve a copy of the IA evaluation sheet to assess existing samples provided by the IB. Work individually or in pairs
Compare your evaluation to IB examiner's notes

IA Evaluation Marking Criteria

Evaluate more past research paper and become an expert evaluator

Journal down thoughts...

Make a list of things your learned from evaluating an IA. What are some things you need to consider? develop? Create a checklist of items or SMART objectives.

Keep in mind that every investigation will have a different nature and marking can be subjective. It is most important that you design your paper in tune with your business and the findings from your own investigation

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