You should spend approximately 20 hours on the IB World Religions SL investigative study, including planning, preliminary research, investigation, analysis and revision. This is the IB course allocation rather than a timed limit, so the quality and focus of your investigation matter more than recording exactly 20 hours.
The IA is an investigation of the religious experience, practice or belief of an individual or group. It should combine preliminary research with an appropriate investigation, such as an interview, observation, visit or analysis of relevant primary and secondary sources.
A practical 20-hour schedule is:
| Stage | Suggested time |
|---|---|
| Selecting a narrow focus and research question | 2 hours |
| Preliminary research and source evaluation | 4 hours |
| Planning methods and addressing ethical requirements | 2 hours |
| Conducting the interview, observation, visit or source investigation | 4 hours |
| Organizing and analysing significant findings | 3 hours |
| Writing the five compulsory sections | 4 hours |
| Editing, referencing and checking formal requirements | 1 hour |
Your final analysis must be 1,500-1,800 words and use the five compulsory headings: Rationale and preliminary research, Plan for study, Summary of significant findings, Critical reflection and evaluation, and References and compliance with format.
A common misconception is that spending more than 20 hours automatically produces a higher mark. It does not. A broad topic can consume many hours while producing weak analysis; a narrowly focused research question allows you to connect evidence directly to religious experience, practice or belief.
For assessment, prioritize Criterion D, critical reflection and evaluation, which is worth 10 of the 30 marks. Examiners expect you to evaluate your methods, identify assumptions or misconceptions, explain how the investigation deepened your understanding, and propose useful future research. Also check the 1,800-word maximum, consistent referencing and five-heading format because these affect Criterion E.