What the historical investigation is

The IA is an independent inquiry into a focused historical question you choose (it must not overlap with the syllabus you are examined on). It has a firm limit of 2,200 words and is marked out of 25, structured in three sections.

Golden rule: a sharp, answerable question is half the battle. "To what extent...", "How far...", and "What were the causes of..." questions invite analysis rather than description.

Section 1 — Identification and evaluation of sources

Around 500 words, worth 6 marks. You state your question, explain the nature and relevance of two chosen sources, and evaluate each using OPVL.

• Origin — who, when, where, what form.
• Purpose — why it was made, and for whom.
• Value — why it helps answer your question.
• Limitations — what it cannot tell you.

Mind the count

Section 2 — The investigation

The largest part: about 1,300 words, worth 15 marks. Here you build a critical, well-organised argument that answers your question, supported by evidence and referencing a range of sources and different historians’ interpretations (historiography). It must reach a clear, evidence-based conclusion.

Marker’s eye: analysis over narrative. Every paragraph should advance an argument, not just tell the story.

Section 3 — Reflection

About 400 words, worth 4 marks. You reflect on what doing the investigation taught you about the methods historians use and the challenges they face — for example the problems of reliability, bias, selection of evidence, or gaps in the record.

This is not a summary of your findings. It is about the nature of historical knowledge itself.

Section 1 task

Which IA section?

Sort each task into the section it belongs to.

Choosing and citing sources

Use a range of sources — primary and secondary — and reference them properly with a consistent citation style and a bibliography (the bibliography is not counted in the word limit). Choosing two contrasting sources for Section 1 (e.g. a participant’s memoir versus a modern historian) lets you show real evaluative range.

What is a limitation?

Match the OPVL term

Tap an item on the left, then its match on the right.

How the marks add up

The three sections total 25 marks: Section 1 (6), Section 2 (15), Section 3 (4). The IA counts for 20% of the overall grade at both SL and HL, and is marked by your teacher and moderated by the IB.

Watch the count: examiners stop reading at 2,200 words, so front-load your best analysis.

Common pitfalls to avoid

Weak IAs usually share the same faults:

• A question too broad to answer in 2,200 words.
• Narrative that describes rather than argues.
• OPVL that lists features instead of judging value and limitations.
• A reflection that summarises findings rather than discussing method.

The reflection

Order the steps of an investigation

Tap the events in sequence, earliest first.

What a strong investigation looks like

Strong IAs pose a tight question, evaluate two well-chosen sources with pointed OPVL, and then argue a case that engages competing interpretations before reaching a judgement the evidence actually supports. The reflection connects that experience to the wider craft of the historian — how we know what we claim to know.

The big ideas to take away

You now know how to plan, structure and mark-target the historical investigation. Press Finish to see your score.