Internal assessment detailsSL and HL Requirements of the historical investigation Introduction The historical investigation is a problem-solving activity that enables students to demonstrate the application of their skills and knowledge to a historical topic that interests them and that need not be related to the syllabus. The internal assessment allows for flexibility and should encourage students to use their own initiative. The emphasis must be on a specific historical inquiry that enables the student to develop and apply the skills of a historian by selecting and analysing a good range of source material and managing diverse interpretations. The activity demands that students search for, select, evaluate and use evidence to reach a relevant conclusion. The investigation should be written in the specific format outlined later in this section. Examples of the types of investigations students may undertake are: a historical topic or theme using written sources or a variety of sources a historical topic based on fieldwork, for example, a museum, archeological site, battlefields, places of worship such as mosques or churches, historic buildings a historical problem using documents (this could include newspapers) a local history study a historical study based on oral interviews a historical investigation based on interpreting a novel, film or work of art a historical investigation of cultural issues. The following are examples of research questions. How accurately can the battle of Teutoburg Forest be reconstructed through archeological fieldwork? In what ways did the guild system affect the development of Norwich? Why was Charlemagne crowned Emperor by the Pope in 800? What were the contributions of Genghis Khan to the rise of Mongol power? Why was the Summa Theologica of Thomas Aquinas important in the medieval Church? How historically accurate is the depiction of Saladin in the film Naser Salah el Dine, El (1963)? In what ways did the work of Henry the Navigator inspire Portuguese exploration? How did the geishas way of life change during the Meiji period? In what ways did the New Deals Farm Security Administration use photography as propaganda to support its programmes? How did the experiences of British Second World War veterans serving in Europe compare with those in the Pacific? Why, and with what consequences for its citizens, was Dresden (any affected town could be substituted) bombed in 1945? In what ways did the Chinese communists use the traditional art form of opera to promote their ideology during the Cultural Revolution? To what extent did the experiences of Vietnam veterans in Tulsa, Oklahoma mirror the US publics overall perception of the war? How did the coverage of the Falklands/Malvinas War differ in the British and Argentine press? To what extent were the Moscow Olympic Games of 1980 affected by Cold War tensions? Scope of the historical investigation Students will be required to: undertake a historical investigation using a good range of historical sources focus on a topic or event with a cut-off date that is at least 10 years before the submission date for the investigation (therefore, an investigation submitted in 2010 would have a cut-off date of 2000; an investigation submitted in 2016 would have a cut-off date of 2006) provide a title for the historical investigation that should be framed as a question produce a written account of between 1,500‑2,000 words for SL and HL, which must consist of: a cover page with student name, number, research question and accurate word count a plan of the historical investigation a summary of evidence an evaluation of sources an analysis a conclusion a list of sources. The historical investigation will be internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IB. Choice of topic Students should choose their own topic, with the teachers guidance and approval. The topic should be worthwhile and of interest to the student. Teachers must approve the topic for investigation and the research question before work is started. They must ensure that there are sufficient sources to support the investigation, and that it can be assessed by the criteria for internal assessment. Students must be aware of ethical considerations when undertaking any investigation. They must show sensitivity and respect confidentiality. Students are required to provide references or acknowledgments for all sources used. The written account Every student must produce a written account consisting of the following six sections. A Plan of the investigation B Summary of evidence C Evaluation of sources D Analysis E Conclusion F Sources and word limit Total: 1,5002,000 words A Plan of the investigation Students should: state the topic of the investigation, which should be formulated as a question define the scope of the investigation explain the method of the investigation. B Summary of evidence This section should consist of factual material that is: drawn from sources that are appropriate for the investigation correctly and consistently referenced organized thematically or chronologically. C Evaluation of sources This section should consist of: a critical evaluation of two important sources appropriate to the investigation explicit reference to the origin, purpose, value and limitation of the selected sources. D Analysis This section should consist of: an analysis that breaks down complex issues in order to bring out the essential elements, any underlying assumptions and any interrelationships involved an understanding of the issue in its historical context a critical examination of the factual material presented in section B an awareness of the significance of the sources used, especially those evaluated in section C a consideration of different interpretations of evidence, where appropriate. E Conclusion The conclusion must be clearly stated, consistent with the evidence presented and relevant to the research question. F Sources and word limit A bibliography or list of sources and all citations, using one standard method, must be included; any illustrations, documents, or other supporting evidence should be included in an appendix. None of these will form part of the word count. The word count for the investigation must be clearly and accurately stated on the title page. Assessment objectives for the internal assessment Plan of the investigation Knowledge and understanding Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a specific historical topic Summary of evidence . Application and interpretation Present a summary of evidence Use of historical skills Demonstrate evidence of research skills, organization and referencing Evaluation of sources Synthesis and evaluation Evaluate historical sources as evidence Analysis Synthesis and evaluation Present an analysis of a summary of evidence Conclusion Synthesis and evaluation Sources and word limit Use of historical skills Demonstrate evidence of research skills, organization and referencing Internal assessment criteriaSL and HL The historical investigation (SL and HL) is assessed against six criteria that are related to the objectives for the Diploma Programme history course. Plan of the investigation 3 marks Summary of evidence 6 marks Evaluation of sources 5 marks Analysis 6 marks Conclusion 2 marks Sources and word limit 3 marks Total 25 marks A Plan of the investigation Marks Level descriptor 0 There is no plan of the investigation, or it is inappropriate. 1 The research question, method and scope of the investigation are not clearly stated. 2 The research question is clearly stated. The method and scope of the investigation are outlined and related to the research question. 3 The research question is clearly stated. The method and scope of the investigation are fully developed and closely focused on the research question. B Summary of evidence Marks Level descriptor 0 There is no relevant factual material. 12 There is some relevant factual material but it has not been referenced. 34 There is relevant factual material that shows evidence of research, organization and referencing. 56 The factual material is all relevant to the investigation and it has been well researched, organized and correctly referenced. C Evaluation of sources Marks Level descriptor 0 There is no description or evaluation of the sources. 1 The sources are described but there is no reference to their origin, purpose, value and limitation. 23 There is some evaluation of the sources but reference to their origin, purpose, value and limitation may be limited. 45 There is evaluation of the sources and explicit reference to their origin, purpose, value and limitation. D Analysis Marks Level descriptor 0 There is no analysis. 12 There is some attempt at analysing the evidence presented in section B. 34 There is analysis of the evidence presented in section B and references are included. There may be some awareness of the significance to the investigation of the sources evaluated in section C. Where appropriate, different interpretations are considered. 56 There is critical analysis of the evidence presented in section B, accurate referencing, and an awareness of the significance to the investigation of the sources evaluated in section C. Where appropriate, different interpretations are analysed. E Conclusion Marks Level descriptor 0 There is no conclusion, or the conclusion is not relevant. 1 The conclusion is stated but is not entirely consistent with the evidence presented. 2 The conclusion is clearly stated and consistent with the evidence presented. F Sources and word limit Marks Level descriptor 0 A list of sources is not included or the investigation is not within the word limit. 1 A list of sources is included but these are limited or one standard method is not used consistently or the word count is not clearly and accurately stated on the title page. 2 A list of sources using one standard method is included and the investigation is within the word limit. 3 An appropriate list of sources, using one standard method, is included. The investigation is within the word limit.