IB Geography Internal Assessment (IA) Guide

Understanding the IA Criteria: Your Blueprint for Success

Before you even think about a topic, you need to internalize the five assessment criteria: Fieldwork Question and Geographic Context, Methodology, Presentation, Analysis, and Conclusion and Evaluation. Each criterion carries specific weightage and demands a particular approach. For example, 'Methodology' (6 marks) isn't just about listing your methods; it's about justifying them, explaining their limitations, and demonstrating ethical considerations. 'Analysis' (8 marks) requires more than just describing data; you need to identify patterns, anomalies, and link them back to geographic theory.

My geography teacher at the international school in Tokyo constantly reminded us to refer back to the rubric. Print it out, highlight key terms, and use it as a checklist throughout your process. When I was drafting my IA, I would literally go through each bullet point in the rubric and ask myself, 'Have I addressed this? How clearly?' This granular approach ensures you don't miss any easy marks and that your work aligns precisely with what examiners are looking for.

Choosing Your Fieldwork Question: Specificity is King

This is arguably the most crucial step. A vague or overly broad question will doom your IA from the start. Your question must be focused, geographically specific, and allow for data collection within a reasonable timeframe and budget. For instance, 'How does tourism affect Tokyo?' is too broad. 'To what extent has the redevelopment of Shibuya Crossing impacted pedestrian flow and local business sentiment in its immediate vicinity, 2018-2023?' is much better. It defines a specific location, a timeframe, and measurable variables.

Think about local issues or phenomena you've observed in your city. For my IA, I investigated the impact of urban green spaces on perceived environmental quality and human well-being in different socio-economic areas of Setagaya Ward, Tokyo. This allowed me to collect primary data through surveys and environmental quality assessments within a manageable radius. Consider accessibility to your fieldwork site, potential ethical considerations (e.g., privacy if surveying individuals), and whether you can collect both quantitative and qualitative data.

Your question should also align with a specific geographic concept or theory. Is it about urban morphology, environmental perception, hazard management, or development geography? Linking your question to theory early on provides a strong conceptual framework for your analysis and evaluation.

Designing Your Methodology: Rigour and Justification

Your methodology needs to be robust, repeatable, and justified. This section isn't just a list of what you did; it's an explanation of *why* you chose those methods and *how* they will help answer your fieldwork question. If you're using surveys, explain your sampling strategy (e.g., systematic random sampling along a transect), the rationale for your sample size, and how you designed your questions to avoid bias. If you're doing environmental quality surveys, detail the specific indicators you're measuring and why.

Crucially, discuss the limitations of your chosen methods and how you attempted to mitigate them. For example, 'While systematic random sampling minimizes bias, the time of day for data collection (3-5 PM) may introduce a bias towards individuals available during those hours.' This critical self-reflection is highly valued. Remember to include a risk assessment, especially for fieldwork conducted in public spaces, and ensure you obtain any necessary permissions or ethical clearances.

Effective Data Collection and Presentation: Beyond Bar Charts

Collect both primary and secondary data. Primary data (surveys, counts, observations, photos) is essential. Secondary data (census data, local government reports, academic articles) provides crucial context and allows for comparison. When presenting data, go beyond basic charts. Use a variety of appropriate techniques: located bar charts, choropleth maps, scatter plots with lines of best fit, annotated photographs, and even GIS-generated maps if you have the skills. Each visual should be clearly labelled, have a title, and include a source.

For my IA, I used a combination of pedestrian counts presented as located bar charts on a base map, environmental quality scores displayed as proportional symbols, and a series of annotated photographs illustrating specific urban features. I also included a Likert scale survey presented as stacked bar charts to show sentiment. The key is that every piece of data and every visual must directly relate to your fieldwork question and contribute to your analysis. Don't include data just for the sake of it.

Analysis: Unpacking Patterns and Linking to Theory

This is where you earn the bulk of your marks. Don't just describe what you see; *explain* it. Identify patterns, trends, and anomalies in your data. For example, 'Figure 3 shows a clear inverse relationship between distance from the train station and perceived safety, with safety scores decreasing by an average of 0.5 points per 100 meters.' Then, crucially, explain *why* this pattern exists, linking it to geographic theory or concepts.

Refer back to your fieldwork question constantly. Each paragraph of your analysis should be driving towards answering it. Integrate both quantitative and qualitative data. If your surveys show a strong preference for green spaces, link this to environmental psychology theories or urban planning models. Discuss the significance of your findings and compare them with existing geographic knowledge or similar case studies. This demonstrates a deeper understanding beyond mere observation.

Conclusion and Evaluation: Reflecting on Your Journey

Your conclusion should directly answer your fieldwork question, summarizing your main findings without introducing new information. Reiterate the extent to which your question was answered and the key insights gained. This should be concise and impactful.

The evaluation section is critical for high marks. Reflect on the entire research process. What were the strengths of your methodology? What were its weaknesses? How did these limitations impact your results? Could your sampling have been improved? Was your survey biased? Suggest concrete improvements for future research. This isn't about admitting failure; it's about demonstrating critical thinking and a mature understanding of the research process. For instance, 'While the study provided valuable insights, the limited sample size (n=50) restricts the generalizability of the findings. Future research could expand the sample to 200 participants across multiple wards to enhance statistical validity.'

Word Count and Academic Honesty: Adhering to IB Standards

The word count limit is 2,500 words. This includes the main body of the report but excludes the title page, contents page, acknowledgements, abstract, appendices, and bibliography. Be ruthless with your editing. Every word must count. I found that writing a slightly over-length draft and then meticulously cutting down redundant phrases or overly descriptive language was an effective strategy. Focus on clarity and conciseness.

Academic honesty is paramount. All sources must be properly cited using a consistent referencing style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago). Any data, images, or ideas not your own must be attributed. Plagiarism is taken very seriously by the IB, and it can lead to severe consequences. When I was applying to Cambridge, my school emphasized that any breach of academic integrity in the IB could jeopardize university offers. It’s simply not worth the risk. Ensure your teacher uses Turnitin or a similar plagiarism checker well before submission.