Business Management Internal Assessment – Higher Level (HL)

Students should consider the following checklist when completing the research report.

A - Research proposal (and action plan)

Including the action plan, it is no more than 500 words.

There is a clear structure in the action plan.

It follows the required format, i.e. RQ, rationale, theoretical framework, key areas of
the syllabus, methodology, i.e. two primary sources and some secondary sources,
difficulties & solutions as well as an accurate action plan.
Contact individuals within the organization are identified.

The research proposal is a working and active document.

The research question looks forward and enables a recommendation to be made.

The project is realistically achievable.

The teacher and student both agree that the research question can be addressed
within the word limit.

Issues of confidentiality and ethics have been discussed.

B - Sources and data (written report)

There is sufficient primary research: at least two sources with differing
perspectives.

Sources of data have been clearly identified.

There is sufficient secondary research, e.g. market/industry report or competitor

information.

C - Use of tools, techniques and theories (written report)

Relevant tools, techniques &/or theories are applied to the organization under
investigation.

Relevant tools, techniques and/or theories are explained and evaluated as

necessary.
D - Analysis and evaluation (written report)
The ideas are coherent and consistent.

Subject-specific terminology has been used throughout the commentary.

There is evidence to back up the analysis and evaluation.

Judgments are made.

E - Conclusions (written report)

There are conclusions.

They refer to the research question.

They refer to previous discussions.

They refer to the findings.

There are no inconsistencies with previous discussions, that is, new ideas not
previously discussed.
Areas for further study have been identified.

F - Recommendations (written report)

There are recommendations.

They are consistent with the conclusions.

Recommendations have been substantiated and are realistic.

They answer the research question.

G - Structure (written report)

The ideas are written in a clearly structured and logical manner.

Findings are clearly laid out with reference to any corresponding appendices.

Any business tools, techniques and theories are placed appropriately within the
report.
Analysis and evaluation come from the findings
H - Presentation (written report)
It follows the recommended structure of: Title page, acknowledgements, contents page,
executive summary, introduction with RQ, methodology, main results & findings, analysis
& discussion, conclusion(s) and recommendation(s), bibliography and appendices.
Each section on a new page.

If the research proposal is not a separate document, it is put after the title page & before
the acknowledgements.
Executive summary is 200 words only
Executive summary includes the research questions, the scope of the research (including
the methodology as well as the findings, conclusions and recommendations.
The report is within the word limit.

Subject-specific terminology has been used throughout the report.

References are used from the introduction onwards.

There is a bibliography.

The bibliography and references follow a consistent format.

There are appendices that are relevant and have been referred to in the main body of the
text.
Page numbers are used throughout the report, including any appendices.

There is no superfluous material.

The word counts, including the 2,000 words written report, are provided on the title page.

I – Reflective thinking (written report)

There is evidence of reflective thinking.

There is reflective thinking about the approach and its limitations

OTHER
Each page should have a header with the candidate’s full name, school and candidate
number on in size 8 or 10 font.
Each page is written in size 12 font and double spaced.

The report is printed double sided.

The page numbers are tabbed across on the contents page to all line up with one another.

Each appendix, with its relevant title, is listed out on the contents page.

Each section, e.g. introduction, methodology, findings etc. is started on a new page.

Each new appendix starts on a new page.

Any sources, including interviews, are fully transcribed into English.

Any interviews state the name, job title, place and date of interview.

Any surveys or questionnaires have a separate appendix for each of the following:
a ‘clean/unused’ survey; a number of completed questionnaires and; the survey results in
tabular or graphical format.