8.1Historical investigation: inquiry question and sources
Key terms
Historical investigation
The internal assessment: 24 marks, about 20 hours, SL 30 %, HL 20 %.
Historical inquiry question
A focused, open question that frames your investigation.
Sources and perspectives
Selecting sources (maximum of seven) and analysing their perspectives.
The new IA has three sections: historical inquiry question; sources and perspectives; synthesis and evaluation. The old reflection section has been removed.
The full notes, worked example and check questions for this subtopic are in the app.
Exam tip: Choose sources that disagree: perspectives drive the analysis and the evaluation.
8.2Synthesis and evaluation
Key terms
Synthesis
Combining evidence from sources into an argument.
Evaluation
Judging the strength of evidence and arguments.
Conclusion
Your answer to the inquiry question, consistent with the evidence.
Organise the analysis by argument, not source by source.
The full notes, worked example and check questions for this subtopic are in the app.
Exam tip: Every paragraph should combine at least two sources and end with a mini-judgment.