HL

Business & Management HL internal assessment criteria

The HL business and management research project is assessed against five criteria that are related to the objectives for the business and management course. Criterion A refers to the research proposal and action plan, while criteria B–E are used to assess the written report.

When the work to be assessed has been read, the descriptors for each criterion should be studied until a descriptor is reached that most appropriately describes the achievement level. If a piece of work seems to fall between two descriptors, both descriptors should be read again and the one that more appropriately describes the student’s work chosen.

Criterion A

Research proposal and action plan

Criterion B

Use of theoretical concepts,   sources and data (written report)

Criterion C

Analysis and evaluation (written   report)

Criterion D

Conclusions and recommendations   (written report)

Criterion E

Value to management (written   report)

AResearch proposal and action plan

Criterion A should be used to assess the research proposal and action plan only.

Achievement level

Descriptor

0

There is no research proposal or   action plan.

1

There is a research proposal and   action plan. However, elements of the research proposal or action plan are   inappropriate.

2

The research proposal and action   plan are generally appropriate, but they are not clear and focused.

3

The research proposal and action   plan are appropriate, clear and focused. There is some identification of the   theoretical framework and methodology to be employed.

4

The research proposal and action   plan are appropriate, clear and focused. There is clear identification and   explanation of the theoretical framework and methodology to be employed.

BUse of theoretical concepts, sources and data (written report)

Achievement level

Descriptor

0

There is no use of theoretical   concepts, sources or data.

1

There is a very limited   understanding of relevant theoretical concepts, and these concepts have been   misused. The sources and data are irrelevant or insufficient.

2

There is a limited understanding   of relevant theoretical concepts, but these have not been applied   effectively. The sources and data are generally relevant, but insufficient.

3

There is an understanding of   relevant theoretical concepts and evidence of some of them being applied   effectively. The sources and data are relevant and sufficient.

4

There is an understanding of   relevant theoretical concepts and evidence of them being applied effectively.   The sources and data are relevant and sufficient. There is some evidence of   the sources and data being used effectively and related to the theoretical   framework.

5

There is an in-depth understanding   of relevant theoretical concepts and consistent evidence of them being   applied effectively. The sources and data are relevant and sufficient. There   is consistent evidence of the sources and data being used effectively and   integrated with the theoretical framework.

CAnalysis and evaluation (written report)

Achievement level

Descriptor

0

There is no discussion, analysis   or evaluation.

1

Findings are very limited and the   discussion is superficial. The report lacks order and coherence.

2

Findings are limited and the   discussion tends to be superficial. There is an attempt to sequence ideas and   references.

3

There is some analysis of the findings   but the discussion may be unnecessarily descriptive. There is some   integration of ideas and issues in a logical order.

4

The analysis of the findings is   appropriate. There is some integration of ideas and issues in a coherent   order.

5

The analysis of the findings is   appropriate and there is an attempt at evaluation. There is sound integration   of ideas and issues in a coherent order.

6

The analysis and evaluation of the   findings are appropriate. There is sound integration of ideas and issues in a   coherent order, and some evidence of critical thinking.

7

The analysis and evaluation of the   findings are appropriate. There is sound integration of ideas and issues in a   coherent order, and consistent evidence of critical, reflective thinking.

DConclusions and recommendations (written report)

Achievement level

Descriptor

0

There are no conclusions or   recommendations.

1

There are conclusions or   recommendations, but they are inconsistent with the evidence presented.

2

There are conclusions or   recommendations. Some are consistent with the research question, but may not   be supported by evidence presented in the main body of the report.

3

There are conclusions and   recommendations. These are consistent with the evidence presented in the main   body of the report and with the research question, but are not fully   developed.

4

There are conclusions and   recommendations. These are consistent with the evidence presented in the main   body of the report and with the research question, and are well developed.

5

There are conclusions and   recommendations. These are consistent with the evidence presented in the main   body of the report and with the research question, and are well developed.   Future action to address limitations of the research is proposed.

EValue to management (written report)

Achievement level

Descriptor

0

The report is of no practical   value to management.

1

The report exceeds 2,000 words, or   is of limited practical value to management.

2

The report has some practical   value to management. There are significant omissions in the presentation of   the report. Bibliography and referencing are inappropriate.

3

The report is of practical value   to management. There are minor omissions in the presentation of the report.   Bibliography and referencing are appropriate.

4

The report is of practical value   to management. The report is well presented, forward-looking and follows the   required written report format*. Bibliography and referencing are appropriate.

* See “Required format for written report” in the section “HL research project”.

Business & Management SL internal assessment criteria

The SL business and management written commentary is assessed against six criteria that are related to the objectives for the business and management course.

When the work to be assessed has been read, the descriptors for each criterion should be studied until a descriptor is reached that most appropriately describes the achievement level. If a piece of work seems to fall between two descriptors, both descriptors should be read again and the one that more appropriately describes the student’s work chosen.

Criterion A

Supporting documents

Criterion B

Choice and application of business   tools, techniques and theory

Criterion C

Use, analysis and synthesis of   data

Criterion D

Conclusions

Criterion E

Evaluation and critical thinking

Criterion F

Presentation

ASupporting documents

If fewer than three supporting documents are presented, a maximum of three marks can be awarded.

Achievement level

Descriptor

0

There are no documents presented   in support of the commentary.

1

The supporting documents are   irrelevant.

2

The supporting documents are   generally relevant but some lack depth.

3

The supporting documents are   relevant and sufficient in depth.

4

The supporting documents are   relevant, sufficient in depth and provide a range of ideas and views.

BChoice and application of business tools, techniques and theory

Achievement level

Descriptor

0

There is no use of business tools,   techniques or theory.

1

There is a limited selection of   business tools, techniques and theory.

2

There is a limited selection of   business tools, techniques and theory, and these are superficially applied.

3

There is appropriate selection of   business tools, techniques and theory, but these are superficially applied.

4

There is appropriate selection of   business tools, techniques and theory, and these are suitably applied.

5

There is appropriate selection of   business tools, techniques and theory, and these are competently applied.

6

There is a broad and appropriate   selection of business tools, techniques and theory, and these are skillfully   applied.

CUse, analysis and synthesis of data

Achievement level

Descriptor

0

There is no use of data from the   supporting documents.

1

There is inappropriate selection   of data from the supporting documents.

2

There is appropriate selection of   data from the supporting documents.

3

There is appropriate selection of   data from the supporting documents with superficial analysis.

4

There is appropriate selection of   data from the supporting documents with appropriate analysis.

5

There is appropriate selection of   data from the supporting documents with appropriate analysis. There is some   integration of ideas.

6

There is appropriate selection of   data from the supporting documents with appropriate and detailed analysis.   There is coherent integration of ideas.

DConclusions

Achievement level

Descriptor

0

There are no conclusions.

1

Conclusions are inconsistent with   the evidence presented.

2

Some of the conclusions are   consistent with the evidence presented.

3

The conclusions are consistent   with the evidence presented and answer the commentary question.

EEvaluation and critical thinking

Achievement level

Descriptor

0

There is no evidence of   evaluation.

1

There is limited evidence of   evaluation.

2

There is evidence of evaluation,   but not all judgments are substantiated.

3

There is evidence of evaluation,   and judgments are substantiated. Critical and reflective thinking occurs in   the commentary.

FPresentation

Achievement level

Descriptor

0

The commentary exceeds 1,500   words.

1

The commentary is disorganized and   lacks structure. Sources are not appropriately referenced.

2

The commentary is sufficiently   organized and structured with some use of appropriate business terminology.   Sources are appropriately referenced.

3

The commentary is well organized   and structured, with consistent use of appropriate business terminology.   Sources are appropriately referenced and an appropriate bibliography is   provided.