One of the most common mistakes IB students make in their Internal Assessment is treating evidence as something to collect rather than something to use. Many students believe that including lots of data, sources, quotes, or results will automatically strengthen their IA. In reality, poor evidence selection is one of the main reasons IAs lose clarity and marks.
Strong IAs do not use more evidence — they use better evidence.
Evidence Is a Tool, Not a Display
In an IB IA, evidence is not included to show how much work you did. It is included to support analysis and evaluation.
Effective evidence:
- Directly helps answer the research question
- Supports a specific analytical point
- Leads naturally to interpretation or judgment
If evidence does not serve one of these purposes, it weakens the IA rather than strengthening it.
Relevance Matters More Than Quantity
Examiners are constantly asking:
- Why is this evidence included?
- What does it show?
- How does it support the investigation?
Evidence that is only loosely related to the focus creates confusion. Even high-quality data or sources lose value if their relevance is unclear.
Evidence Should Drive Analysis, Not Replace It
A common mistake is letting evidence “do the work.”
This happens when students:
- Present results without explanation
- Quote sources without interpretation
- Include tables or figures without analysis
Examiners do not award marks for evidence alone. Marks are awarded for what students do with that evidence.
Strategic Evidence Is Selective
High-scoring IAs are selective. Students choose evidence that:
- Illustrates a clear pattern or relationship
- Supports a key argument
- Can be analysed in depth
Including fewer, stronger pieces of evidence often leads to better analysis and clearer evaluation.
Every Piece of Evidence Should Have a Job
A useful way to check evidence quality is to ask:
- What is this evidence doing in my IA?
- Which point does it support?
- Where do I analyse it explicitly?
If you cannot answer these questions, the evidence probably does not belong.
Overloading Evidence Weakens Evaluation
Too much evidence makes evaluation harder. When students include excessive data or sources:
- Conclusions become general
- Limitations are vague
- Judgments feel unsupported
Evaluation is strongest when it is based on a manageable set of well-analysed evidence.
Evidence Selection Is Linked to Focus
Students often struggle with evidence because their focus is unclear. When the research question is sharp:
- Relevant evidence is easier to identify
- Irrelevant material is easier to cut
- Analysis becomes more consistent
Weak focus almost always leads to weak evidence selection.
This Applies Across All IB Subjects
Regardless of subject:
- Sciences require interpretation, not raw results
- Humanities require argument, not source lists
- Languages and arts require commentary, not quotation
The principle is the same: evidence must be used, not displayed.
Why Students Struggle With Evidence Selection
Students often struggle because:
- They fear leaving things out
- They equate effort with volume
- They lack a clear analytical structure
Without a framework, it is hard to judge what matters most.
Using a Clear Coursework Framework
A structured coursework framework helps students:
- Decide what evidence is truly relevant
- Integrate evidence into analysis
- Avoid overloading their IA
If you’re working on any IB IA or the Extended Essay, following a clear coursework system can help you select evidence strategically and use it effectively.
You can find a step-by-step guide to handling evidence properly in IB coursework here:
👉 https://www.revisiondojo.com/coursework-guide
Final Thoughts
Strong IB IAs are built on strategic evidence, not excessive evidence. When students select evidence carefully, analyse it clearly, and link it directly to their research question, clarity improves and marks follow. The goal is not to show everything you found — it is to show how well you can think with what you chose.
