Introduction
The research question is the backbone of your Internal Assessment (IA). A well-crafted question guides your analysis, shapes your methodology, and gives examiners a clear sense of focus. But many IB students struggle with extremes: their research question is either too broad to analyze in depth or too narrow to sustain a meaningful investigation.
Examiners look for precision, clarity, and manageability in research questions. If your question is weak, even the strongest analysis may not earn top marks. This article will help you identify when your question is too broad or too narrow — and how to refine it so your IA is both focused and rich in analysis.
Quick Start Checklist
Use this checklist to evaluate your IA research question:
- Can I realistically answer it within the IA word count?
- Does it connect directly to my subject syllabus?
- Is there enough (but not overwhelming) data available?
- Can I analyze rather than just describe the answer?
- Does the question encourage multiple perspectives or evaluation?
What Makes a Question Too Broad
A research question is too broad when it:
- Covers an entire field: “What are the effects of climate change on ecosystems?”
- Lacks specificity: “How does marketing affect consumer behavior?”
- Requires excessive word count: If you’d need an essay, not an IA, to cover it.
- Leads to general description: Broad questions often encourage surface-level answers rather than analysis.
Why it’s a problem: You’ll end up writing vague generalizations or summarizing textbook information rather than conducting focused, original research.
What Makes a Question Too Narrow
A research question is too narrow when it:
- Is overly specific: “What is the effect of one teaspoon of sugar on the growth of one type of yeast strain over 12 hours?”
- Lacks analytical depth: The answer is too obvious or factual, leaving no room for evaluation.
- Restricts evidence: If data sources are scarce, you won’t have enough material to sustain your IA.
- Forces repetition: With too little scope, you may struggle to reach the word count without padding.
Why it’s a problem: A narrow question prevents you from showcasing higher-order skills like evaluation and synthesis, which are essential for top scores.
How to Refine Your Research Question
1. Narrow Broad Topics by Adding Focus
Start with a broad idea, then add specific variables, timeframes, or contexts.
- Broad: “How does diet affect health?”
- Focused: “How does a high-protein diet affect the endurance of high school athletes over one season?”
2. Broaden Narrow Questions by Expanding Scope
If your question is too restrictive, zoom out slightly.
- Narrow: “What is the effect of one brand of fertilizer on tomato plant growth?”
- Balanced: “How do different types of fertilizers affect the growth rate of tomato plants?”
3. Use the Goldilocks Rule
Your question should feel “just right”: not too broad to cause vagueness, not too narrow to limit depth.
4. Test Against the Rubric
Ask:
- Can I evaluate?
- Can I apply theory?
- Can I discuss limitations?
If the answer is no, your question needs refinement.
Practical Examples by Subject
- Biology:
- Too broad: “How do pollutants affect marine life?”
- Too narrow: “How does one drop of detergent affect one species of algae in 24 hours?”
- Balanced: “How does detergent concentration affect algae growth rates in freshwater samples?”
- Economics:
- Too broad: “How does inflation affect economies?”
- Too narrow: “How does inflation affect one bakery’s bread prices in July 2024?”
- Balanced: “How has inflation affected food prices in local supermarkets over the last year?”
- History:
- Too broad: “Why did World War II happen?”
- Too narrow: “What role did one telegram play in the outbreak of WWII?”
- Balanced: “To what extent did economic sanctions contribute to the outbreak of WWII?”
FAQs
1. How do I know if my research question is manageable?
Test it against the word count. If answering fully would take more than the IA allows, it’s too broad. If you can answer it in a single paragraph, it’s too narrow. A balanced question should sustain 1,500 words of focused, analytical writing.
2. Should my research question be phrased as a question or statement?
The IB recommends phrasing it as a clear, focused question. This makes it easier for examiners to see your line of inquiry and for you to stay on track. Statements can sometimes blur focus.
3. What if I realize my question is too broad/narrow after starting?
It’s better to refine than to push through. Reframe your question early, then adjust your background and methodology. Examiners prefer a polished, manageable IA to one that struggles under a flawed question.
Conclusion
Your research question is the foundation of your IA — get it right, and the rest of your work flows more smoothly. By avoiding overly broad or overly narrow questions, you ensure that your investigation is both focused and rich in analysis. The goal is always balance: specific enough to show depth, but broad enough to allow evaluation.
At RevisionDojo, we help students refine their IA questions to strike this perfect balance. With the right focus, you can write an IA that feels purposeful, analytical, and examiner-friendly.
RevisionDojo Call to Action
Unsure whether your IA question is too broad or too narrow? RevisionDojo offers personalized support to help you refine research questions, plan investigations, and maximize your score. Don’t leave your IA to chance — get the clarity you need with RevisionDojo.
