Section+A

=A. Plan of Investigation - 3 marks= toc When writing the plan of investigation, the following should be included:
 * The specific topic of the investigation, which should be formulated as a question. It could be useful to provide a very brief rationale for the choice of the selected topic for investigation
 * the scope of the investigation
 * the method of the investigation

Suggested word count: 100 - 150 words.

A Plan of the investigation, Marks Level descriptor
0 = There is no plan of the investigation, or it is inappropriate. 1 = The research question, method and scope of the investigation are not clearly stated. 2 = The research question is clearly stated. The method and scope of the investigation are outlined and related to the research question. 3 = The research question is clearly stated. The method and scope of the investigation are fully developed and closely focused on the research question.

Start = The topic / question
Include the words of the question verbatim. The research question should be included within the body of section.

Scope = The “what”
Give parameters i.e. What time period and specific event are you researching. Identify themes or relevant areas of investigation to be undertaken in order to reach an effective and successful conclusion to the investigation. An indication of the proposed timeframe of the study is helpful. It is not necessary to state what aspects will not be included in the investigation.

Example: “The scope of the investigation is [specifically state time frame and specific area of research]. If possible, use the word ‘scope’. This part of Section A could be a few sentences long.

Method = The “how”
Under “method” you could note things like: the nature of the sources chosen and why they have been selected; the proposed logical structure of the areas of scope (chronological/thematic) that show “how” you will tackle the investigation. State your methods of research.

Don’t describe the format of the IA because that is a given. Also, don’t write that you will “read books, visit websites, go to libraries” and so on because that is also a given.

How are you using two of your major sources in Section C? Show why they are significant to your investigation. Describe specifically how and why you are using the source. Simply writing: “Source ABC and Source XYZ will be evaluated for origins, purpose, value and limitation” is not enough. You have to explain WHY you chose these sources, WHY are they significant and HOW will they help you conduct this investigation?

Example: “One method to be used in this investigation is an examination of [insert the name of one of your better sources]”. Try to use the word “method “.

In order to get three marks, you should clearly and explicitly articulate the topic, scope and method and make clear how they will help you answer the question.

=What the examiners say:=

After every round of exams, IAs and EEs, the IB examiners prepare a "Subject Report". See example here. It is very useful to read the comments for all areas as it gives you valuable pointers.

Criterion A – Plan of the investigation (May 2015)
Most candidates managed to state the research question clearly in the body of the Plan of Investigation, although there is still a surprising number who do not do this and so lose marks. However not all research questions were carefully defined, meaning that some candidates struggled to fulfil the demands of an historical investigation within the 2000 word limit. In other seen work, the research questions were too open-ended, resulting in a lack of analysis in Section D. Again, most candidates identified the method and scope of their research question but few did more than outline them and so could not score full marks here. The method should include two parts; firstly reference to the kind of sources used in the assessment and secondly brief explanation of why those sources were chosen. This has been remarked on in previous years. The scope should identify aspects and areas of the themes that will be explored. It should not include long introductions, background description or context.

Criterion A – Plan of the investigation (May 2013)
Most candidates stated their topic as a research question in the Plan of Investigation. The scope and method of investigation were the two areas where candidates usually gave limited material. In these situations the scope was often a description, or a simple restatement of the research question, in place of a statement of the major issues that the candidate would address in the investigation. The method of investigation should not simply be a statement that "primary and secondary sources will be used" or a listing of the two sources that will be evaluated in Section C.

Criterion A – Plan of the investigation (May 2012)
Most candidates were able to clearly express the research question and their approach or method to investigate it. As with past years a number of candidates did not state the research question in the plan of investigation while many outlined the scope and method. Some candidates used this section to provide a lengthy introduction instead of developing the scope and method for the investigation. Too often the research question was too broad with limited focus. There continues to be a group of candidates that simply state the two sources that they will evaluate for section C and believe that this qualifies as “method”. The belief that it is necessary to state what will not be addressed in the investigation also continues to be held by some centres. Although this does not include “incorrect” information it does not add marks and takes words away from the candidate that could be used more appropriately in other sections of the investigation.

**Criterion A: Plan of Investigation (May 2011)** The candidates achieved some success in this section. The most successful papers clearly stated their research question, while defining the major issues the question investigated and examined the type or nature of the sources and the rationale for their use in the research of the candidate’s specific question. Problems for candidates came from not clearly stating their question, not fully developing the issues to be addressed by the question and, in many cases, dealing with method in a very superficial manner. The nature and type of sources is not satisfied by simply stating the two sources that will be evaluated in Section C and should be more developed. It is also not necessary to state here what will not be discussed in the investigation.

Criterion A: Plan of Investigation (May 2010)
In this section most candidates did fairly well. However, in some instances the research question was not always clear and there were some difficulties in differentiating between scope and method. The research question must be a clearly defined task which enables the candidate to carry out a rigorous historical investigation leading to an informal judgment. Writing the question format in question format will greatly assist in the historical enquiry. The research question should be included within the body of Section A. No credit can be obtained for a research question which only appears on the cover sheet or title page. The scope of the investigation should identify the aspects, areas or themes that will be explored in the investigation. The provision of a timeframe is always helpful. It is not necessary to state what is not included. Methods should identify the nature of the sources and why they have been selected.

Criterion A: Plan of Investigation (Nov 2010)
This section was rather problematic and few candidates scored full marks. For the most part the candidates formulated the research topic as a question. However, there was not a clear distinction between scope and methods and consequently some candidates lost marks here.

Sample 1:
Part A: Plan of investigation

This investigation will analyse Mao’s intentions in launching the Hundred Flowers Campaign in 1957, questioning whether he was genuinely seeking criticism (and if so, why), or whether the campaign was purely a mechanism to expose his opponents and then purge them through the Anti-Rightist Campaign of 1957 to 1959. The scope of this investigation will cover Mao’s initial aims from 1956 to the implementation of the policy in May 1957, and his changing goals for the campaign throughout its duration. This topic is worthy of investigation as the Hundred Flowers Campaign foreshadowed the brutality of Mao’s subsequent policies such as the Cultural Revolution. Speeches, historical texts and biographies will be used to assess Mao’s aims. Two of the sources, Mao: The Unknown Story by Jung Chang and Jon Halliday – a groundbreaking critical interpretation of Mao’s China, and The Secret Speeches of Chairman Mao, edited by Roderick MacFarquhar, Timothy Cheek, Eugene Wu, which gives insight into Mao’s intentions, will be evaluated for their origins, purposes, values and limitations.

Sample 2:
A: Plan of the Investigation

The investigation explores the effect of anti-Semitic Nazi propaganda on German Jews prior to World War II. This is done through determining the content and form of such propaganda, being indicative of how widespread anti-Jewish sentiment was at such a time. The propaganda’s overall impact can be analysed through evaluating Jewish status in Germany prior to and during Nazi rule. The content of the propaganda shall be explored through Nazi literature and speeches delivered by Hitler. The effect of such content shall be analysed using Jewish migration and death statistics, as well as Nazi bills passed prior to 1939. Two of the sources utilised in the investigation, The End of Jewish Migration by Johann Von Leers and an excerpt from Hitler’s speech on April 12th 1922, shall be assessed in terms of their origin, purpose, values and limitations. Ultimately, the analysis investigates to what extent the anti-Semitic Nazi propaganda facilitated the treatment of the Jews prior to 1939.

Sample 3:
Plan

On September 11th, 1973, socialist president Salvador Allende was overthrown by a military regime led by General Pinochet. The presence of the United States during the coup d’etat, their financial investments in Chile and their “usual cold war argument that communism could not be allowed to take root in the Americas”1 brought their involvement in the actions taken on September 11th into question. However, to what extent was the United States government involved in the military coup in Chile? This investigation will focus on American presence leading up to the coup and their involvement during the coup. In order to discuss American involvement, sources such as journal articles published both in the United States and Chilean newspapers from the time will be used, as well as newly classified documents released by the US State Department, documentaries and text.

Sample moderator comments on Sample 3:
The research question is articulated within the plan of investigation. There needed to be more consideration of areas to be examined in order to permit an effective treatment of such a “To what extent…?” task. Describing the sources to be used (that is, contemporary accounts and recently declassified documents) is not an adequate replacement for a structured and explicit identification of what factors are to be dealt with in the subsequent section B evidence base which will then form the basis for analysis in section D. The plan is best described by the descriptor for level 2: “The research question is clearly stated. The method and scope of the investigation are outlined and related to the research question.” This descriptor is more appropriate than that applicable for just 1 mark but note the lack of development necessary to reach the level 3 markband.

Sample 4:
Section A - Plan of Investigation

This investigation will assess the success of the anarchist movement in Catalonia during the Spanish Civil War. This investigation is important because historians can use this movement to judge if anarchy could work. The scope of this investigation is the anarchists’ initiatives in Catalonia between 1936 and 1937. One method used in this investigation is an examination of the novel Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell. Orwell describes the atmosphere in revolutionary Barcelona. This information will help judge how genuine the revolution was. Another method employed is an analysis of the documentary The Spanish Civil War, by Granada Television Productions. The documentary shows footage and eyewitness accounts of the collectivized industries in Barcelona. Historians can see how anarchism affected Catalonia. (Source)

Sample 5:
The purpose of this investigation is to answer the question of whether the bombings of Dresden, Germany in 1945 were justifiable considering the event's emotional impact on the people present in the city when the attack occurred. The main body of evidence will investigate what events lead up to the bombings, and why the city was targeted. Evidence will include eyewitness accounts of the bombings and sources such as journal articles and speeches from the time. Documents will be analyzed in regards to their origin, purpose, value, and limitations in order to properly evaluate the evidence. Documents include a book containing government records of the orders given to British and American commanders as well as an eyewitness account of the bombings written by British prisoner of war in Dresden during the bombings. An analysis of these documents as well as the summary of evidence will be used to formulate a conclusion stating whether the bombings were, or were not, justifiable. (Source)