Environmental Systems & Societies · Individual Investigation (IA)
IB Environmental Systems & Societies Internal Assessment
Upload your Individual Investigation (IA) and get examiner-level feedback on every criterion — scored against the official IB Environmental Systems and Societies internal assessment (individual investigation) criteria (first assessment 2026). Free to try, no account required.
Assessment criteria — 30 marks total
Your Individual Investigation (IA) is graded against 6 criteria. iBacalao scores each one and tells you exactly where to gain marks.
Research Question and Inquiry
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.
Strategy
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.
Method
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.
Treatment of Data
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.
Analysis and Conclusion
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.
Evaluation
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.
Common mistakes to avoid
Research Question and Inquiry
Research question too broad or not linked to the chosen environmental issueBackground research too thin to support the questionEnvironmental context described with errors or omissionsNo clear link between the issue's significance and the investigation
Strategy
No real-world strategy connected to the research questionStrategy named but never described or developedTension between perspectives stated but not explainedOnly the environmental perspective considered (no societal counterweight)
Method
Method missing the detail needed to repeat itSample size or sampling strategy too small to answer the questionVariables, controls or equipment not specifiedData collected that can't actually address the research question
Treatment of Data
Tables or graphs missing units, labels or clear headingsProcessing errors that carry into the findingsProcessed results that don't address the research questionRaw data shown but processing steps impossible to follow
Analysis and Conclusion
Patterns identified but never explainedBias, reliability, validity and uncertainty ignored in the analysisConclusion that overreaches what the data supportsConclusion that doesn't answer the stated research question
Evaluation
Generic weaknesses ("human error") not specific to this methodImprovements unrelated to the weaknesses identifiedImpact of each limitation on the conclusion never assessedNo unresolved questions or further-investigation ideas offered
Common questions
How is the IB Environmental Systems & Societies Individual Investigation (IA) marked?
Your Individual Investigation (IA) is marked against 6 criteria totalling 30 marks using the official IB Environmental Systems and Societies internal assessment (individual investigation) criteria (first assessment 2026). Your teacher marks first, then the IBO moderates a random sample from your school — so your mark may be adjusted up or down if the moderator consistently disagrees with your teacher.
What is the most important criterion in the IB Environmental Systems & Societies IA?
All criteria matter, but the highest-weighted criterion — worth the most marks — is "Treatment of Data". Focus on what the mark band descriptor says for the top score and make sure every element it mentions is present in your submission.
Can I use AI to help with my Environmental Systems & Societies IA?
The IBO allows AI for feedback and research support, but the submitted work must be entirely your own. iBacalao gives criterion-by-criterion feedback on your draft — the same kind of comment your teacher would give — without generating any text for your IA.