IB Environmental Systems & Societies Internal Assessment guide

What this criterion assesses

A focused research question addressing a local or global environmental topic or issue, with the topic explained through sufficient background research to support the question.

Mark band descriptors

Criterion A: Research question and inquiry (0–4):
- 0: The student's report does not reach a standard described by any of the descriptors given below.
- 1–2: The report describes a local or global environmental topic or issue but with errors or omissions showing a limited understanding; it states a research question, but there is a lack of focus or it is not linked to the chosen environmental topic or issue.
- 3–4: The report explains a local or global environmental topic or issue with sufficient background research to support the research question; it states a focused research question that addresses the chosen environmental topic or issue.

What this criterion assesses

An existing or developing strategy that addresses the environmental issue linked to the research question, with an explanation of a tension between different perspectives (economic, social, cultural, political or environmental) that results from the strategy.

Mark band descriptors

Criterion B: Strategy (0–4):
- 0: The student's report does not reach a standard described by any of the descriptors given below.
- 1–2: The report states an existing or developing strategy that addresses an environmental issue linked to the research question; it describes a tension between different perspectives (economic, social, cultural, political or environmental) that results from the strategy.
- 3–4: The report describes an existing or developing strategy that addresses an environmental issue linked to the research question; it explains a tension between different perspectives (economic, social, cultural, political or environmental) that results from the strategy.

What this criterion assesses

A repeatable method that allows sufficient data to be collected to answer the research question — enough procedural detail that another student could repeat the investigation.

Mark band descriptors

Criterion C: Method (0–4):
- 0: The student's report does not reach a standard described by any of the descriptors given below.
- 1–2: The report describes a method that is not repeatable; the method does not allow for sufficient data to be collected to address the research question.
- 3–4: The report describes a repeatable method; the method allows for the collection of sufficient data to answer the research question.

What this criterion assesses

Clear and detailed communication of raw and processed data, with processing techniques that lead to findings fully addressing the research question and raw data processed correctly.

Mark band descriptors

Criterion D: Treatment of data (0–6):
- 0: The student's report does not reach a standard described by any of the descriptors given below.
- 1–2: The communication of raw and processed data is not clear; the techniques used to process raw data lead to findings not addressing the research question; the raw data is processed with major errors.
- 3–4: The communication of raw and processed data is clear; the techniques used to process raw data lead to findings not fully addressing the research question; the raw data is processed with some minor errors.
- 5–6: The communication of raw and processed data is clear and detailed; the techniques used to process raw data lead to findings fully addressing the research question; the raw data is processed correctly.

What this criterion assesses

Analysis that explains the patterns and trends in the data relevant to the research question — including measures of bias, reliability, validity and uncertainty — and a conclusion that addresses the research question and is supported by the analysis presented.

Mark band descriptors

Criterion E: Analysis and conclusion (0–6):
- 0: The student's report does not reach a standard described by any of the descriptors given below.
- 1–2: The analysis identifies patterns or trends within the data that are relevant to the research question; the conclusion either does not address the research question or is not supported by the analysis presented.
- 3–4: The analysis describes patterns or trends within the data that are relevant to the research question, including some measures of bias, reliability, validity and uncertainty; the conclusion addresses the research question and is partially supported by the analysis presented.
- 5–6: The analysis explains the patterns and trends within the data that are relevant to the research question, including measures of bias, reliability, validity and uncertainty; the conclusion addresses the research question and is supported by the analysis presented.

What this criterion assesses

An evaluation of specific methodological limitations or weaknesses that impact the conclusion, with evaluated improvements that address them, and unresolved questions arising from the investigation described as they impact the conclusion.

Mark band descriptors

Criterion F: Evaluation (0–6):
- 0: The student's report does not reach a standard described by any of the descriptors given below.
- 1–2: The report states generic methodological limitations or weaknesses that impact the conclusion; states improvements to the method that address the identified limitations or weaknesses; states generic unresolved questions that arise from the investigation.
- 3–4: The report describes methodological limitations or weaknesses that impact the conclusion; describes improvements to the method that address the identified limitations or weaknesses; outlines unresolved questions that arise from the investigation.
- 5–6: The report evaluates specific methodological limitations or weaknesses that impact the conclusion; evaluates improvements to the method that address limitations or weaknesses; describes unresolved questions that arise from the investigation as they impact the conclusion.