History IA Research Question Evaluator
Use the tabs below to generate a new History IA idea or evaluate your current research question.
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Compare High-Scoring vs. Flawed History RQs
Below are examples of evaluated RQs from recent History IAs. Review the strengths and weaknesses to understand the scoring criteria, and feel free to evaluate your own RQ using the form above.
How significant was British Prime Minister Anthony Eden's decision to authorize military intervention during the Suez Crisis (October–November 1956) in precipitating his resignation in January 1957?
Strengths:
Clear investigative focus on a specific historical decision and its consequences.
Weaknesses:
To what extent did the events of the 1905 Russian Revolution (January–October 1905) compel Tsar Nicholas II to issue the October Manifesto in October 1905?
Strengths:
Clear, researchable focus on a single outcome (the October Manifesto) within a defined historical period.
Weaknesses:
What are the effects of History on society?
Strengths:
It is clearly an interrogative form and focuses on effects, indicating an evaluative aim.
Weaknesses:
Specify a time frame to bound the study (e.g., “1800–1900”). Example: add “between 1800 and 1900.”
What are the effects of History on society?
Strengths:
Framing as a question shows intent to investigate rather than merely state a topic.
Weaknesses:
Specify a bounded time frame by inserting explicit dates or a bounded period (e.g., "between 1760 and 1840"). Example: change to "What were the effects of the Industrial Revolution on British society between 1760 and 1840?"
How to Evaluate Your Research Question
Simply choose your subject and enter your research question. Our evaluator will then analyze your question against the IB requirements and return a report with any issues or improvements you can make. Trained on thousands of IB RQs marked by official IB examiners, our evaluator is able to provide accurate and helpful feedback.
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