What Are Ethical Issues in IB Research?
Ethical issues in an Extended Essay (EE) or Internal Assessment (IA) arise when research involves people, communities, environments, or sensitive data. These include subjects such as interviews, surveys, experiments involving others, or studying personal experiences.
IB’s Ethical Guidelines and Expectations
The IB expects all research to follow strict protocols:
- Human participants must give informed consent, with clear voluntary participation.
- Maintain confidentiality and anonymity, especially when collecting personal or sensitive data.
- Avoid environmental or cultural disruption in any fieldwork.
- Uphold academic honesty by avoiding fabrication, plagiarism, or bias.
RevisionDojo’s ethics checklist offers a tool to ensure your work adheres to IB standards. (revisiondojo.com)
Common Ethical Challenges in EE & IA
- Informed Consent: Participants must clearly understand the study's purpose and voluntarily agree.
- Anonymity/Confidentiality: Safeguard identities and sensitive information.
- Sensitive Topics: Avoid harm or distress—refrain from overly personal or invasive questions.
- Power Imbalance: Be cautious when surveying peers, classmates, or minors.
RevisionDojo covers best practices for participant protection in school-level research. (revisiondojo.com)
How to Plan Ethical Research from the Start
- Conduct a risk assessment: Evaluate potential impacts on participants or the environment.
- Discuss with your supervisor early to get guidance and pre-approval.
- Document permissions: Use written consent forms and keep clear records.
RevisionDojo provides customizable consent form templates honed for IB projects. (revisiondojo.com)
Examples of Ethical Research Practices
- Surveys & Interviews: Use anonymous questionnaires and always debrief participants.
- Experiments: Follow safety guidelines and avoid invasive or harmful tests.
- Fieldwork & Observations: Respect environmental or local data privacy norms.
RevisionDojo’s examples of ethical data collection methods illustrate how to apply theory in practice. (revisiondojo.com)
What Happens If You Violate Ethics in IB Research?
Violating IB ethics can lead to:
- Fatally weak Criterion E (Engagement/Reflection) due to missing consent or acknowledgement
- Possible disqualification or disciplinary flags
- Examiner skepticism or rejection of data integrity
RevisionDojo emphasizes that ethical failures undermine not just marks, but academic credibility. (revisiondojo.com)
Tools to Help You Stay Ethical
- Ethics Checklist: Review each step before collecting data.
- Consent Form Templates: Standardized forms to ensure transparency.
- Ethical Reflection Prompts: Add these to your RRS (Reflection Space) or viva preparation.
All available through RevisionDojo’s IB research toolkit. (revisiondojo.com)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Do I need to submit consent forms to IB?
A1: No—they stay with your supervisor, but you must show they exist and were followed.
Q2: Can I anonymize participants after I collect data?
A2: Yes—remove names or identifiers before including results in your work.
Q3: Are parental permissions needed for minors?
A3: Definitely—if any participant is under 18, you must obtain parental or guardian consent.
Q4: What if I face a dilemma during my research?
A4: Pause and consult your supervisor immediately—review your processes to avoid harm or bias.
Conclusion
Honest, transparent, and ethical research not only aligns with IB rules but builds trust and credibility in your work. When done rigorously, integrity enhances both your methodology and your marks.
Call to Action
🛠 Want help ensuring your research is IB-friendly?
- ✅ Download RevisionDojo’s Ethics Checklist and Consent Templates
- ✅ Use ethical reflection tools in your research notebook or RRS
- ✅ Subscribe for guides on ethical case studies and university-ready IA templates
👉 Visit RevisionDojo now to access all tools and strengthen your research integrity.
