Social & Cultural Anthropology · Fieldwork critical reflection + main report (IA)
IB Social & Cultural Anthropology Internal Assessment
Upload your Fieldwork critical reflection + main report (IA) and get examiner-level feedback on every criterion — scored against the official IB Social and Cultural Anthropology internal assessment (doing anthropology: fieldwork) criteria (first examinations 2019). Free to try, no account required.
Assessment criteria — 26 marks total
Your Fieldwork critical reflection + main report (IA) is graded against 4 criteria. iBacalao scores each one and tells you exactly where to gain marks.
Observation and Report
The 450-word report of the initial one-hour observation: organized and detailed, purely descriptive at this stage, with the context of the observation discussed.
Methodological and Conceptual Extension of Initial Fieldwork
The 300-word justification of the second research method (participant observation, interviews, visual anthropology, surveys, life history…) and the key or inquiry-specific concept framing the further research — identified, described, explained, and their relevance to the initial observation clearly established and justified.
Second Fieldwork Data Collection and Analysis
The 400-word report of the further research: appropriate and relevant data analysed soundly in relation to the key concept or inquiry-specific concept and the chosen method.
Critical Reflection of Fieldwork Research, Methods and Concepts
A critical reflection on doing anthropology: a balanced, detailed critical comparison and evaluation of the two fieldwork experiences, a discussion of the position of the researcher and how it may have affected the results, and an explicit account of what was learned about gathering fieldwork data.
Common mistakes to avoid
Observation and Report
Interpretation creeping into what should be pure descriptionReport organized but thin on observed detail (or vice versa)Context of the observation barely discussedSetting too empty or unfocused to sustain observation
Methodological and Conceptual Extension of Initial Fieldwork
Method named but never explained or justifiedKey concept stated without connecting it to the observation siteChoice justified by convenience rather than anthropological relevanceNo link drawn between the first observation and the planned extension
Second Fieldwork Data Collection and Analysis
Data described rather than analysed through the conceptIrrelevant or inconsistent data diluting the analysisThe chosen method and concept disappear from the analysisNew data not connected back to the initial observation
Critical Reflection of Fieldwork Research, Methods and Concepts
Comparing what was seen rather than the methods used to see itResearcher's position mentioned but its effect on results never discussedReflection reads as a diary rather than a methodological critiqueWhat was learned about doing anthropology left implicit
Common questions
How is the IB Social & Cultural Anthropology Fieldwork critical reflection + main report (IA) marked?
Your Fieldwork critical reflection + main report (IA) is marked against 4 criteria totalling 26 marks using the official IB Social and Cultural Anthropology internal assessment (doing anthropology: fieldwork) criteria (first examinations 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 Social & Cultural Anthropology IA?
All criteria matter, but the highest-weighted criterion — worth the most marks — is "Critical Reflection of Fieldwork Research, Methods and Concepts". 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 Social & Cultural Anthropology 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.