Choosing Supporting Documents for Your Business IA: A Guide
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Business Management Internal Assessment (IA) requires you to analyze a real-world business situation. A crucial aspect of this analysis involves the effective use of supporting documents. These documents provide evidence, context, and depth to your investigation. Here’s a guide on how to select and utilize them effectively:
1. Understand the Requirements
Relevance: The documents must directly relate to the chosen business and the specific focus of your investigation.
Authenticity: Use genuine documents from the business itself or reliable secondary sources (e.g., company reports, news articles, industry publications). Avoid fabricated data.
Variety: Include a range of document types to support different aspects of your analysis. This could include:
Primary Sources:
Company reports (annual reports, financial statements)
Market research data
Interviews with employees or stakeholders
Surveys conducted by the business
Internal memos or emails
Secondary Sources:
Industry reports (e.g., from IBISWorld, Statista)
News articles (from reputable sources like the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg)
Academic journals
Government publications
Sufficient Quantity: Ensure you have enough documents to support your analysis comprehensively. However, avoid overwhelming yourself with excessive information.
2. Align with Your Research Question
Choosing your BM IA Supporting Documents – Internal Assessment – IB Business Management image.alt
Focus: Your research question should guide your document selection.
Example: If your research question focuses on the impact of marketing strategies on customer loyalty, you’ll need documents related to marketing campaigns, customer surveys, and competitor analysis.
3. Evaluate the Quality of Sources
Reliability:
Primary Sources: Verify the source and its credibility within the company.
Secondary Sources:
Check the author’s credentials and any potential biases.
Assess the publication’s reputation for accuracy and objectivity.
Currency: Use up-to-date information whenever possible. Outdated data may not accurately reflect the current business environment.
4. Analyze and Interpret
Don’t just list: Analyze how each document supports your arguments and conclusions.
Extract relevant information: Identify key data, trends, and insights from the documents.
Use data to support claims: Back up your assertions with specific figures, statistics, and quotes from the documents.
5. Presentation and Referencing
Properly cite all sources: Use a consistent referencing style (e.g., APA, MLA) to avoid plagiarism.
Integrate documents smoothly: Avoid simply “dumping” documents into your IA. Instead, incorporate them seamlessly into your analysis.
Use tables and graphs: Visual aids can effectively present data and make your analysis more engaging.
Tips for Success:
Start early: Begin collecting and analyzing documents well in advance of your deadline.
Consult with your teacher: Discuss your document choices with your IB Business Management teacher for guidance and feedback.
Develop a clear research plan: This will help you stay focused and ensure your document selection aligns with your overall investigation.
By carefully selecting and effectively utilizing supporting documents, you can strengthen your IB Business Management IA, enhance the depth and credibility of your analysis, and increase your chances of achieving a high score.
Disclaimer: This information is for general guidance only and may not be applicable to all specific situations. Always refer to the official IB Business Management guide for the most up-to-date and accurate information.
how to choose supporting documents for business ia
