Geography · Fieldwork Investigation (IA)
IB Geography Internal Assessment
Upload your Fieldwork Investigation (IA) and get examiner-level feedback on every criterion — scored against the official IB Geography internal assessment (fieldwork investigation) criteria (first assessment 2019). Free to try, no account required.
Assessment criteria — 25 marks total
Your Fieldwork Investigation (IA) is graded against 6 criteria. iBacalao scores each one and tells you exactly where to gain marks.
Fieldwork Question and Geographic Context
A geographical, focused fieldwork question identifying a precise location and answerable with primary data collected in the field; the link to the relevant syllabus topic or geographical theory described; and one or more locational maps following mapping conventions.
Methods of Investigation
The data-collection methods described and justified — technologies, sampling and surveying techniques, time, location and circumstances — used correctly and producing reliable, good-quality primary data sufficient for the analysis the question needs.
Quality and Treatment of Information Collected
Information and data directly relevant to the question and sufficient in quantity and quality for analysis, presented with the most appropriate techniques (graphs, maps, statistical tests, annotated images…) following accepted conventions for numbering, labelling and annotation.
Written Analysis
Interpretation and explanation of the information collected in relation to the fieldwork question: appropriate descriptive and statistical techniques, trends and spatial patterns explained and linked to the question, theory, location and methods, with outliers and anomalies identified and explained.
Conclusion
A clear, concise conclusion answering the fieldwork question, supported by the analysis — it may legitimately state that the findings do not match the original prediction or hypothesis.
Evaluation
A review of the investigative methodology — the most relevant strengths and weaknesses of the methods, question formulation, data presentation and choice of location explained — with improvements suggested and the potential impact of those improvements explained.
Common mistakes to avoid
Fieldwork Question and Geographic Context
Fieldwork question not actually phrased as a question, or too broadNo link to a syllabus topic or geographical theoryLocational map copied from the internet with no conventions appliedLocation too vague to allow primary data collection
Methods of Investigation
Methods listed without justification or sampling detailSample size too small for the intended analysisNo explanation of how the data collected relates to the questionSampling technique named but used incorrectly
Quality and Treatment of Information Collected
Data displayed with techniques that don't fit the data typeGraphs and tables missing titles, labels or numberingData insufficient or only loosely relevant to the questionA single display technique used where the data demands a range
Written Analysis
Describing the data without explaining the patterns behind itStatistical techniques used incorrectly or without relevanceAnomalies and outliers ignoredAnalysis never linked back to the fieldwork question or theory
Conclusion
Conclusion introduces ideas the analysis never coveredNo explicit answer to the fieldwork questionForcing the conclusion to match the hypothesis despite the data
Evaluation
Superficial weaknesses ("we needed more time") not tied to the studyImprovements that don't address the weaknesses raisedFactors affecting validity (bias, weather…) not consideredImpact of the proposed improvements never explained
Common questions
How is the IB Geography Fieldwork Investigation (IA) marked?
Your Fieldwork Investigation (IA) is marked against 6 criteria totalling 25 marks using the official IB Geography internal assessment (fieldwork investigation) criteria (first assessment 2019). 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 Geography IA?
All criteria matter, but the highest-weighted criterion — worth the most marks — is "Written Analysis". 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 Geography 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.