Guidelines for Picking a Concentrated and Precise History AI Research Inquiry (2025 Handbook)
Crafting a Focused and Clear History IA Research Question
Navigating the process of creating a research question for the Internal Assessment (IA) in IB History can be a daunting task, but with the right approach, it can lead to a successful and engaging investigation. Here are some key steps to help you formulate a well-structured and researchable question.
First and foremost, choose a topic that genuinely interests you and is linked to the themes or regions covered in your IB syllabus. This will not only make your research more enjoyable but also ensure relevance and leverage your classroom knowledge.
When framing your question, use command terms that imply analysis, such as "to what extent," "how," or "why," rather than simple factual questions. This will help guide your investigation towards critical analysis and evaluation.
Ensure your question is focused enough to be answered comprehensively within the 2,200-word limit. Avoid questions that are too broad, like "What is the history of Chinese theatre?", or too narrow, like questions that can be answered in a sentence. Instead, aim for a question that allows you to explore the topic in depth, such as "To what extent was nationalism the guiding factor in Ho Chi Minh's adoption of Leninism in 1920?"
Consider potential sources early on. Make sure there are enough accessible and reliable primary and secondary sources to support your analysis. Framing your question so that it is arguable will also help, as it allows you to take a position or evaluate perspectives rather than just recount facts.
Check that your research question is historically oriented and specific in time and place. This will help narrow down the scope to a feasible investigation. For example, instead of asking "What caused the Cold War?", a manageable question could be "To what extent did the Truman Doctrine contribute to the start of the Cold War between 1947 and 1949?"
Start early and devote 2–3 months for planning, researching, drafting, and revising your IA for clarity and depth. Incorporate historiography where relevant to show awareness of different interpretations, which can enhance analysis. Use a clear research framework to evaluate sources critically to strengthen your argument.
Generating 2-3 options for research questions can help compare and choose the best one. A well-phrased research question could be "To what extent did the Treaty of Versailles contribute to the rise of Hitler by 1933?" Consulting with a teacher or supervisor can help spot weaknesses and suggest improvements.
In summary, a strong research question for the IB History IA should be specific, narrow, and open-ended, inviting critical analysis rather than mere description. It should allow you to explore the topic in depth within the word limit and be connected to a manageable scope supported by sufficient primary and secondary sources. Choosing a topic that genuinely interests you can help sustain motivation during research and writing, and a manageable question focuses on a specific event, period, or factor within the 2,200-word limit.
By concentrating on education-and-self-development through the process of research, you can enhance your learning experience in crafting an effective IA research question. Exploring various learning avenues, such as historiography and critical analysis of sources, will not only deepen your understanding of the topic but also strengthen your IA.
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