Introduction
The Internal Assessment (IA) is at the heart of the IB Diploma Programme, and everything begins with your research question. A strong IA research question acts as a compass: it guides your investigation, keeps you focused, and signals to examiners that you understand how to approach academic inquiry. A weak question, on the other hand, makes it almost impossible to build a coherent and high-scoring IA.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to write a strong IA research question, break down the characteristics of good and bad questions, and share practical tips. To see how the best IB students formulate their research questions, you can check RevisionDojo’s coursework exemplars for real high-scoring examples.
Quick Start Checklist: What Makes a Strong IA Research Question
- Focused and specific
- Feasible with available data and resources
- Analytical, not descriptive
- Connected to IB subject requirements
- Original in scope or perspective
Why the IA Research Question Is Critical
Your IA research question determines:
- Scope: How broad or narrow your investigation will be
- Depth: Whether you can analyze or just describe
- Relevance: Whether it fits the rubric for your subject
- Clarity: How easily examiners can follow your argument
Simply put: if your IA research question is weak, the rest of your IA will struggle to score well.
Step 1: Start Broad, Then Narrow Down
Most students begin with a general idea and refine it. For example:
- Broad idea: Climate change and agriculture
- Refined IA research question: “How does increased soil salinity affect the germination rate of bean plants?”
The second example is measurable, testable, and directly linked to analysis.
Step 2: Make It Analytical
IB examiners want analysis, not description. Your IA research question should invite critical thinking.
- Weak (descriptive): “What are the effects of caffeine on the human body?”
- Strong (analytical): “To what extent does caffeine concentration affect the reaction time of high school students aged 16–18?”
The analytical version has a clear variable, measurable outcome, and scope.
Step 3: Align With Subject Requirements
Each subject has unique expectations:
- History IA: Requires a clear historical question with scope for evaluation of sources.
- Science IA: Needs an experiment-based or data-driven question.
- Math IA: Should show exploration of mathematical concepts beyond simple calculations.
Check the rubric for your subject before finalizing your IA research question.
Step 4: Test Feasibility
Even the most brilliant IA research question fails if you can’t collect data or evidence. Ask yourself:
- Do I have access to the necessary resources?
- Can I test or measure the variables within school or home limits?
- Can I answer this within 2,000 words?
If not, refine your IA question further.
Step 5: Compare With Exemplars
Looking at real examples is the best way to judge whether your IA research question works. RevisionDojo’s coursework exemplars provide dozens of IAs with clear, focused research questions. Seeing how top students frame their questions can inspire you to refine yours.
Examples of Weak vs Strong IA Research Questions
- Weak History IA question: “What caused World War I?”
- Strong History IA question: “To what extent did the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand contribute to the outbreak of World War I?”
- Weak Science IA question: “How do plants grow?”
- Strong Science IA question: “How does pH level affect the rate of photosynthesis in spinach leaves?”
- Weak Math IA question: “What is calculus?”
- Strong Math IA question: “How can calculus be applied to model the rate of spread of a viral infection?”
FAQs on IA Research Questions
1. How specific should my IA research question be?
It should be narrow enough to allow for detailed analysis, but broad enough to explore multiple perspectives. A good rule of thumb: if it can be answered in one sentence, it’s too narrow.
2. Can I change my IA research question later?
Yes, but it’s best to finalize early. Changing midway risks wasted effort. If adjustments are needed, refine rather than completely restart.
3. What if my IA question has been researched before?
That’s fine — originality comes from your approach, not inventing something entirely new. Personal context, data collection, or analysis style can make your IA unique.
4. Should I phrase my IA research question as a statement or a question?
Always as a clear research question. Avoid vague statements like “This IA will study…”
5. Where can I see strong IA research questions?
Study RevisionDojo’s coursework exemplars — they showcase how high-scoring IAs phrase and refine their research questions.
Conclusion
Your IA research question is the foundation of your Internal Assessment. A strong question is specific, analytical, feasible, and aligned with subject requirements. By narrowing your focus, testing feasibility, and studying RevisionDojo’s coursework exemplars, you’ll set yourself up for success. Remember: a great IA starts with a great question.
Call to Action
Struggling to finalize your IA research question? Explore RevisionDojo’s coursework exemplars today to see how top students phrase theirs — and use them as inspiration for your own.
