3Individuals and societies
3.1Publications
The information given in this section of the handbook must be read in conjunction with the appropriate guide for each subject.
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May and November 2009 examination sessions |
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|---|---|
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Title of publication |
Date of issue |
|
History guide History teacher support material |
February 2001 March 2004 |
|
Geography guide Geography HL teacher support material Geography SL teacher support material |
February 2005 (first published 2001, corrected 2005) September 2004 September 2004 |
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Economics guide Economics teacher support material |
February 2003 November 2003 |
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Philosophy guide Philosophy teacher support material Philosophy specimen papers |
March 2007 September 2007 March 2007 |
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Psychology guide Psychology teacher support material Ethical guidelines for internal assessment |
May 2004 August 2002 November 2001 |
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Social and cultural anthropology guide Social and cultural anthropology teacher support material |
February 2000 (reprinted June 2000, second edition March 2003) August 2003 |
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Business and management guide Business and management teacher support material Business and management specimen papers |
March 2007 September 2007 September 2007 |
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Islamic history guide Islamic history teacher support material |
February 2001 October 2003 |
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Information technology in a global society guide Information technology in a global society teacher support material |
March 2006 November 2004 |
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May and November 2010 examination sessions |
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Title of publication |
Date of issue |
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Social and cultural anthropology guide Social and cultural anthropology teacher support material Social and cultural anthropology specimen papers |
February 2008 September 2008 September 2008 |
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History guide History teacher support material History specimen papers |
March 2008 November 2008 September 2008 |
3.2Summary of latest arrival dates: May and November 2009 sessions
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Action |
To |
Latest arrival date |
Method/forms |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Submit predicted grades and marks for internal assessment |
IB Cardiff |
10 April 2009/ 10 October 2009 |
IBIS |
|
Submit sample internal assessment work |
Moderator |
20 April 2009/ 20 October 2009 |
3.3Business and management HL and SL: Case study
In November, IB Cardiff will make available to schools a copy of the case study for higher level and standard level paper 1 for use in the written examinations the following year. For example, in November 2008, schools will be able to access the case study to be used in the May and November 2009 examinations. An online copy of the case study will be posted on the online curriculum centre (OCC) and IBIS. Schools are responsible for providing candidates with a clean copy of the case study in the paper 1 examination.
3.4Information technology in a global society HL: Case study
In May, IB Cardiff will make available to schools a copy of the case study for higher level paper 3 for use in the written examinations the following year. For example, in May 2008 schools will be able to access the case study to be used in the May and November 2009 examinations. An online copy of the case study will be posted on the online curriculum centre (OCC) and IBIS. Schools are responsible for providing candidates with a clean copy of the case study in the paper 3 examination.
3.5Internal assessment
Internal assessment, based on work completed by candidates during the course, is a requirement for all group 3 subjects at both higher level and standard level. The submission of sample work from candidates allows the IB to moderate the marking of teachers in order to achieve a common standard across schools.
3.5.1Samples for moderation
The samples for moderation must be those identified by IBIS. Complete one Form 3/IA for the complete sample. For each sample candidate also complete a coversheet Form 3/CS. If candidates’ original work is submitted for moderation, you are advised to retain copies of the work and forms. The work submitted must be securely bound together. Do not use plastic pockets and ring-binder files.
If the work of any of the sample candidates is “atypical”, this should be noted on the Form 3/IA and the work of another candidate, with a similar score, added to the sample.
For geography, do not submit soil or vegetation specimens.
Give to the coordinator, by any internal school deadlines:
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candidates’ predicted grades and marks for internal assessment
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one completed copy of Form 3/IA
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the coversheet Form 3/CS for each sample candidate
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the work of the sample candidates.
3.5.2Internal assessment requirements
The following table summarizes the nature of the work that is required for each group 3 subject.
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Subject and level |
Nature of work |
|---|---|
|
History HL and SL A historical investigation of 1,500–2,000 words |
Written assignment |
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Geography HL One fieldwork report of 2,500 words based on a theme in the syllabus |
Fieldwork |
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Geography SL One piece of coursework of 1,500 words selected from either a fieldwork exercise or a research assignment based on a theme in the syllabus |
Coursework |
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Economics HL and SL Portfolio of four commentaries of 650–750 words each |
Portfolio |
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Philosophy HL and SL A philosophical analysis of non-philosophical material of 1,600–2,000 words |
Coursework |
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Psychology HL An experimental study of 1,500–2,000 words |
Experimental study |
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Psychology SL An experimental study of 1,000–1,500 words |
Experimental study |
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Social and cultural anthropology HL One field research report of 2,000 words |
Field research |
|
Social and cultural anthropology SL Two activities: A one-hour observation followed by a written report of 500–600 words A critique (criticism and analysis) of the initial report of 600–700 words |
Observation and criticism exercise |
|
Business and management HL A research project (maximum of 2,000 words) composed of a research proposal and action plan, and a report that either addresses an issue facing an organization or analyses a decision to be made by an organization |
Research project |
|
Business and management SL A written commentary (maximum of 1,500 words) based on three to five supporting documents about a real issue or problem facing a particular organization |
Commentary |
|
Islamic history HL and SL A historical study, relating the past to the present, of 1,200–1,500 words |
Historical study |
|
Information technology in a global society HL Portfolio: three pieces of written work, each of 800–1,000 words, which address different categories of social issues in information technology |
Portfolio |
|
Portfolio extension: a report of 800–1,000 words on an interview that investigates an issue raised in one of the portfolio pieces |
Extension |
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Information technology in a global society SL Project: a product, a report of 2,000–2,500 words and a log book that records the development of the product |
Project |
3.6Psychology: Ethical guidelines for internal assessment
The IB acknowledges that individual cultures have different interpretations of how ethical issues should be resolved in relation to experimental study. Based on feedback from examiners, both teachers and candidates need clear guidelines when they are considering possible topics for experimental study.
The following guidelines should be applied to all experimental studies.
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Any experimental study that creates anxiety, stress, pain or discomfort for participants must not be permitted.
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Any experimental study that involves unjustified deception, involuntary participation or invasion of privacy, including the inappropriate use of information technology (IT), email and the Internet, must be avoided. There may be rare occasions when such infringements cannot be avoided, in which case the approval of other experienced psychologists should be sought before proceeding. (See the online curriculum centre (OCC) for further guidance.)
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All participants must be informed before commencing the experimental study that they have the right to withdraw at any time. Pressure must not be placed on any individual participant to continue with the investigation beyond this point.
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Each participant must be informed of the aims and objectives of the research and must be shown the results of the research.
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Experimental studies involving children need the written consent of parent(s) or guardian(s). Candidates must ensure that parents are fully informed about the implications for children who take part in such research. Where an experimental study is conducted with children in a school, the written consent of the teacher(s) concerned must also be obtained.
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Participants must be debriefed and given the right to withdraw their own personal data and responses. Anonymity for each participant must be guaranteed.
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Teachers and candidates must exercise the greatest sensitivity to local and international cultures.
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Candidates must avoid conducting research with any adult who is not in a fit state of mind and cannot respond freely and independently.
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If any participant shows stress and/or pain at any stage of an experimental study, the investigation must finish immediately, and the participant must be allowed to withdraw.
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Non-human animals must not be used for experimental study.
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All data collected must be kept in a confidential and responsible manner and not divulged to any other person.
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Candidates must regard it as their duty to monitor the ways in which their peers conduct research, and to encourage public re-evaluation of any research that contravenes these guidelines.
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Experimental studies that are conducted online, using IT methods, are subject to the same guidelines. Any data collected online must be deleted once the research is complete. Such data must not be used for any purpose other than the conduct of the experimental study.