BUSINESS MANAGEMENT (HL) - INTERNAL ASSESSMENT
The IA has a 25% weighting of the overall assessment. (Total Marks: 25)
Word Count
Research Project: 2000 Words
Research Proposal: 500 Words
Executive Summary: 200 Words
Not included in the 2000-word count:
0 Title page
o Base your research project on primary research.
Acknowledgments
O
Contents page
0
Executive summary (abstract)
o
Tables of statistical data
O
Diagrams or figures
©
Equations, formulae and calculations
o
Citations (which, if used, must be in the body
the commentary)
References (which, if used, must be in the
footnotes/endnotes)
o Bibliography
° Appendices.
Some suitable titles
Should Restaurant X diversify its menu?
How should Muller Bookstores differentiate
itself from other bookstores in Dusseldorf?
How should The Studio adjust its promotional
strategy to attract a wider target market?
What pricing strategy should Oasis Airlines
implement to gain market share of the Hong
Kong to Vancouver route?
Should Hayes Reprographics buy two new
photocopiers or opt lease the machines?
What methods of motivation should Pointwell
Ltd. implement to retain staff?
How financially viable would investing in reefer
trucks be for Integrated Shun Hing (Shenzhen)
Co. Ltd.?
Should Ted's Bakers purchase a new delivery
truck to cater for customers on Lantau Island?
Should JT Taxi Company purchase a new
urban taxi license?
Framing the title question
Ensure the title question is forward-looking and
addresses a real business problem or issue.
Keep the title question simple and specific. It
should have a clear focus, i.e. relate to a specific
component of the BM syllabus. Questions about
the 'marketing mix' make poor titles (there are 7
Ps in the marketing mix).
The best IA titles tend to have the word 'should'
in them, e.g. Should Matthew MacMillan Inc.
invest in the construction of a new multipurpose
sports complex?
Caution
Fori variety of reasons not apparent at the start
confidentiality, some
of the project, such
organizations fail to provide data, which will
undermine the quality of the final report.
Requirements
Design and undertake research that either addresses an issue
facing a business organization or a range of organizations or
analyses a decision t be made by a business organization
range of organizations.
Select : real business organization range of organizations
and a real issue or decision under investigation.
(secondary research may be used as support)
Provide a title for the research project that, to give focus and
direction, must be framed as : question.
The research question should be orward-looking, targeted a
a decision still relevant for the business
an issue
organization(s) rather than descriptive of something already
finished, and should require you to make recommendations
for further action.
Important Nota:
For the theoretical framework, identify the appropriate
theory to be used to investigate the decision or issue. Cover
the relevant areas of the syllabus but remember that BM is a
holistic subject.
State the sample size and sampling method to be used, with
a brief outline of the reasons.
Focus on the collection and application primary research
and data. Secondary research can used if this supports the
investigation.
Try ti use quantitative analysis and tools because these help
to give clearer conclusions.
Research proposal- Format
The research proposal has required format consisting of four
components.
• Research question
•
Proposed methodology, including:
0 the rationale for study
0 areas of the syllabus to be covered
D possible sources of information
o organizations and individuals to be approached
o methods to be used to collect and analyze data, and
reason for choosing them
O the order of activities and timescale of the project
• Anticipated difficulties, such as limited or biased sources
• Action plan
IA required format
Title page
Acknowledgements
Contents page (with page numbering)
Executive summary
Introduction (background)
Research question
Methodology used (primary research and, only where
Relevant, secondary research)
Main results and findings
Analysis and discussion
Conclusion(s) and recommendation(s)
References and bibliography
Appendices (supporting data and information)
Following sources were used to prepare this poster
Paul Hoang, Business Management, 3rd edition.
IBO, Business management guide, 2015
Criteria
The HL. business management research project is assessed against
nine criteria that are related to the assessment objectives for the
business management course.
Criterion A: Research proposal
(This criterion assesses the extent to which the student presents a
research proposal that ives an elfective direction for the project,
with all the required elements)
Please note: Criterion A shouldI used to assess the research
propasal only:
Criterion B: Sources and data
This criterion assesses the extent to which the student selects
primary sources and collects data which address ar issue or a decision
o be made by an organization or a range of organizations in
appropriate depth and breadth)
Criterion C: Use of tools, techniques and
theories
(This criterion assesses the extent to which the student underslands
applies relevant business management tools, techniques and
theories so that a greater insight into the situation of the organization
ensues)
Criterion D: Analysis and evaluation
This criterio assesses the extent tc which the student uses his or her
results and findings effectively in order to explain the issue or decision
to be made and is able to integrate his or her ideas coherently. This
criterion also assesses the extent to which the student evaluates his or
her arguments and makes judgments that are well substantiated)
Criterion E: Conclusions
(This criterion assesses the extent to which the student is able to draw
relevant conclusions based on the analysis the report)
Criterion F: Recommendations
(This criterion assesses the extent to which the student is able to
nake suustantiated recommendations that are consistent with the
conclusions made and answer the research question)]
Criterion G: Structure
(This criterion assesses the extent to which the student organizes his
or her ideas into a structured report with an argument that easy to
follow)
Criterion H: Presentation
(This criterion assesses the extent to which the student presents all
the
the required components of the written report in the correct order
and format)
Criterion I: Reflective thinking
(this criterion assesses the extent to which the student is able to
reflect critically on their awn work)
Analysis and discussion
In this section, the results and findings should be analyzed
with the help of relevant business tools, techniques and
theories. They should also be interpreted: what main issues
emerge from the research, and why and how are they helpful
(or not) to answering the research question?
An evaluative approach t the discussion of findings should
be pursued: for example, what the strengths and
weaknesses of the various positions on the issue or decision
under investigation and what are their implications?
Conclusion(s) and recommendation(s)
The conclusions should follow on from the analysis and
discussion; new facts or arguments should not be presented.
Recommendations should be precise, answer the research
question and be practical proposals for action that stem from
the conclusions.
f the results of the research are Inconclusive, further
research should be recommended.