Referencing and academic honesty are essential components of success in IB Digital Society, particularly in the internal assessment (IA). While Digital Society does not assess students on their ability to memorize facts, it does require responsible use of information and clear acknowledgment of sources. Poor referencing or unclear attribution can undermine otherwise strong analysis and may lead to academic honesty concerns.

This article explains how referencing and academic honesty apply in IB Digital Society and what students should do to meet IB expectations.

Why Academic Honesty Matters in Digital Society

IB Digital Society focuses on critical thinking and ethical engagement with digital systems. Academic honesty aligns directly with these values.

Academic honesty matters because it:

• Demonstrates intellectual integrity
• Builds trust in student work
• Reflects ethical responsibility
• Supports fair assessment

The IB treats academic honesty seriously, and breaches can have significant consequences.

What Counts as Academic Dishonesty?

Academic dishonesty includes any action that misrepresents a student’s work as their own.

This may include:

• Copying text without citation
• Paraphrasing too closely to a source
• Submitting work written by someone else
• Using AI-generated content without acknowledgment

In Digital Society, dishonesty can occur even when intent is unclear, so care is essential.

Understanding Referencing in IB Digital Society

Referencing is the practice of acknowledging where ideas, information, or examples come from. In IB Digital Society, referencing supports transparency rather than technical perfection.

Students are expected to:

• Clearly indicate when ideas are not their own
• Use a consistent referencing style
• Include a list of sources

The IB does not mandate a specific citation style, but consistency is important.

When Referencing Is Required

Students must reference:

• Direct quotations
• Paraphrased ideas
• Data or specific claims
• Descriptions of system policies or practices

General knowledge does not require citation, but when in doubt, referencing is the safer choice.

Referencing in the Internal Assessment

In the IA, referencing supports analysis rather than replacing it. Sources should not dominate the investigation.

Good IA referencing:

• Supports claims about the digital system
• Is integrated naturally into analysis
• Avoids long quotations

Examiners reward original thinking supported by evidence, not reproduced information.

Avoiding Over-Reliance on Sources

A common mistake is allowing sources to drive the IA rather than the research question.

Students should avoid:

• Letting sources structure the argument
• Including sources without explanation
• Replacing analysis with summary

Sources are tools, not substitutes for thinking.

Paraphrasing Correctly

Paraphrasing means expressing an idea in your own words while maintaining the original meaning. Poor paraphrasing can still count as plagiarism.

Effective paraphrasing:

• Uses different structure and wording
• Reflects understanding
• Is still referenced

Simply changing a few words is not sufficient.

Using AI Tools and Academic Honesty

Digital Society students may use digital tools during their learning, but IB expectations around AI use are clear.

Students should:

• Follow school guidance on AI use
• Not submit AI-generated content as original work
• Acknowledge assistance where required

Ethical use of tools reflects the values of the course itself.

The Role of the Reference List

The reference list provides transparency and allows examiners to see where information came from.

A good reference list:

• Includes all cited sources
• Uses consistent formatting
• Matches in-text citations

Accuracy matters more than style complexity.

Common Referencing Mistakes

Students often weaken their IA by:

• Forgetting to cite paraphrased ideas
• Using inconsistent citation styles
• Listing sources not used
• Citing excessively without analysis

Careful proofreading helps prevent these issues.

Academic Honesty in Exams

In exams, academic honesty takes a different form. Students are assessed on original responses to unseen examples.

Students should:

• Use their own analysis
• Avoid memorized essays
• Apply concepts flexibly

Prepared understanding is encouraged, but pre-written answers are not rewarded.

Why Academic Honesty Supports Better Marks

Academic honesty is not just a requirement — it improves quality.

Honest work:

• Encourages deeper understanding
• Supports authentic evaluation
• Builds confidence in conclusions

Examiners value originality and integrity.

Practical Strategy for Staying Honest

Students can protect themselves by:

• Keeping clear notes on sources
• Referencing as they write
• Paraphrasing carefully
• Asking teachers when unsure

Proactive habits reduce risk.

Why Referencing Fits Digital Society Values

Digital Society explores ethics, responsibility, and power in digital systems. Academic honesty reflects these same principles in practice.

Responsible referencing shows:

• Respect for others’ work
• Awareness of ethical responsibility
• Commitment to integrity

These values align directly with the course’s aims.

Final Thoughts

Referencing and academic honesty are essential to success in IB Digital Society. Clear attribution, careful paraphrasing, and responsible use of sources protect students and strengthen their work. By treating sources as support for original analysis rather than replacements for thinking, students can meet IB expectations confidently and produce authentic, high-quality work that reflects both intellectual skill and ethical responsibility.