IB Historical Investigation
Summary of Evidence and
Analysis
Summary of Evidence
Summary of evidence (500-600 words)
The summary of evidence should indicate what
the candidate has found out from the sources he
or she has used. Any illustrations, documents, or
other relevant evidence should be included in an
appendix and will not be included in the word
count.
Summary of Evidence: guidelines
and requirements
Provides a description of events that are
relevant to your research and that will help you
address your research question
Indicates what you have learned from the
sources used
Is organized, referenced, and provides evidence
of thorough research
Any illustrations, documents, or other relevant
evidence should be included in an appendix and
will not be included in the word count
Summary of Evidence: Advice and
Considerations
You must link your evidence to your research question.
The goal is NOT to include every piece of information,
but only important pieces of information. Present ONLY
information that will help you answer your research
question; do not waste words providing lengthy
background information.
Your summary must be brief, concise, and written with
clarity
Use plenty of citations in this section using background
sources, not just the two sources you are analyzing for
Section C.
Summary of Evidence: advice and
considerations
Everything that is included in this section WILL
be analyzed in Section D.
You have to include evidence of different
possible answers. Every question can have
more than one correct perspective.
You must have evidence that considers other
interpretations. See above.
Do NOT use judgment or analysis in this section.
You will do this in Section D.
Summary of Evidence Markband
B Summary of Evidence
0 There is no relevant factual material.
1-2 There is some relevant factual material but
it has not been referenced.
3-4 There is relevant factual material that
shows evidence of research, organization
and referencing.
5-6The factual material is all relevant to the
investigation and it has been well
researched, organized and correctly
referenced.
Analysis
D Analysis (500-600 words)
The analysis should include:
– the importance of the investigation in its
historical context
– analysis of the evidence
– if appropriate, different interpretations.
Analysis: guidelines and
requirements
Addresses the importance of the
investigation in its historical context, this
adds weight and perspective to the study
Analyzes the evidence presented in
Section B
Includes analysis of different
interpretations
Analysis: advice and
considerations
This is where you examine different historical
interpretations of your research topic in analyzing the
historical event itself.
YOU MUST CONNECT THE ANALYSIS SECTION
WITH THE ORIGINAL RESEARCH QUESTION OR
TOPIC. This is true for the entire paper. There should be
a thread running through the entire paper connecting all
sections back to the research question.
You must integrate an analysis of the author’s
arguments into this section. Analyze the authors’
conclusions in reference to your research question.
Suggested Format of Section D
Paragraph 1 - Historical Context
Write a paragraph demonstrating your understanding of the issue in
its historical context. What events were going on in the United
States (or world) during the scope of your investigation that may
have led to underlying assumptions or points of view on this issue
that you will break down and analyze in this section?
Paragraph 2 - Significance of Sources from C
Write a paragraph or two that demonstrates your awareness of the
significance of the sources you evaluated in Part C. Make critical
comments on evidence from those sources that could help answer
your research question.
Paragraph 3 - Critical examination of one possible answer
Write a paragraph or two that examines evidence from part B that
could lead to one possible answer to or interpretation of your
research question. Here it is essential you make critical
comments based on your evidence. Discuss cause-and-effect
relationships, underlying assumptions and any interrelationships that
are related to the evidence you presented.
Paragraph 4 - Critical examination of a different interpretation
Write a paragraph or two that examines evidence from part B that
could lead to a different possible answer or interpretation to
your research question. Here it is essential you make critical
comments based on your evidence. Discuss cause-and-effect
relationships, underlying assumptions and any interrelationships that
are related to the evidence you presented.
Paragraph 5 - Laying foundation for conclusion
Write a paragraph that considers the above interpretations and
starts to transition toward what you think your conclusion will say.
Start laying the foundation for your conclusion.
Analysis Markband
Analysis
0 There is no analysis.
1-2 There is some attempt at analyzing the evidence presented in
Section B
3-4 There is analysis of the evidence presented in section B and
references are included. There may be some awareness of the
significance to the investigation of the sources evaluated in
section C. Where appropriate, different interpretations are
considered.
5-6 There is critical analysis of the evidence presented in section
B, accurate referencing, and an awareness of the significance
to the investigation of the sources evaluated in section C.
Where appropriate, different interpretations are analyzed.