IB

Social Studies IB IA Topic Inspiration

••6 min read

Introduction

One of the most challenging parts of the IB Diploma Programme is selecting a strong Internal Assessment (IA) topic. For IB Social Studies subjects like History, Geography, Psychology, and Global Politics, the IA is your chance to explore a topic that truly interests you while demonstrating academic skills.

This guide provides IA topic inspiration for IB Social Studies, helping you brainstorm ideas that are original, feasible, and capable of earning top marks.

What Makes a Strong Social Studies IA Topic?

Examiners look for IAs that are:

  • Focused — narrow enough to answer clearly in limited word count.
  • Relevant — connected to the IB syllabus but with personal engagement.
  • Feasible — realistic with available resources and data.
  • Analytical — allows interpretation, not just description.
  • Original — shows creativity and genuine curiosity.

IB History IA Topic Inspiration

The History IA is a 2,200-word research investigation. Possible ideas include:

  • Causes of conflict: “To what extent did propaganda contribute to the Spanish Civil War?”
  • Impact of leaders: “How significant was Churchill’s leadership in Britain’s resistance during 1940?”
  • Social history: “How did women’s roles in the workforce change during WWII in Canada?”
  • Historiography: “How have historians’ interpretations of the Cold War origins shifted since the 1950s?”

Tips: Choose a topic with enough primary and secondary sources to analyze.

IB Geography IA Topic Inspiration

Geography IAs must be fieldwork-based and around 2,500 words. Possible ideas include:

  • Urban studies: “What factors influence foot traffic in different areas of the city center?”
  • Environmental issues: “How does water quality vary along a local river system?”
  • Tourism studies: “What is the environmental impact of tourism on a nearby coastal area?”
  • Sustainability: “How effective are recycling initiatives in reducing local waste levels?”

Tips: Keep data collection realistic and manageable within your environment.

IB Psychology IA Topic Inspiration

Psychology IAs involve a replication of an existing experiment. Possible ideas include:

  • Memory: Replicating Loftus and Palmer’s study on leading questions and eyewitness testimony.
  • Perception: Testing Stroop effect with different word-color combinations.
  • Learning: Exploring the effect of chunking on recall ability.
  • Social psychology: Investigating conformity through line-judgment tasks.

Tips: Choose simple experiments you can replicate ethically with classmates.

IB Global Politics IA Topic Inspiration

Global Politics IAs are based on an engagement activity and reflective analysis. Possible ideas include:

  • Human rights: Volunteering with a refugee support group and analyzing policies affecting integration.
  • Conflict studies: Attending a debate on international relations and evaluating perspectives.
  • Development: Interviewing local NGOs about poverty alleviation programs.
  • Climate politics: Engaging with youth climate action groups and analyzing global vs. local efforts.

Tips: Focus on personal involvement — examiners value authentic engagement.

How to Brainstorm Your IA Topic

  1. List your interests. What topics excite you in class?
  2. Check feasibility. Can you find data, sources, or conduct fieldwork?
  3. Refine your scope. Narrow broad ideas into focused questions.
  4. Test relevance. Does it connect clearly to the syllabus?
  5. Ensure originality. Add your own angle or perspective.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Choosing topics that are too broad (e.g., “The causes of World War II”).
  • Picking questions with little available data.
  • Forgetting to link the IA back to the syllabus.
  • Overcomplicating the design — simple, focused IAs often score higher.

FAQs About Social Studies IAs

1. Can I reuse an Extended Essay topic for my IA?
No. The IA and EE must be distinct, even if they are within the same subject.

2. How narrow should my topic be?
Narrow enough to explore in depth within the word limit. A single event or case study is often better than a broad theme.

3. Do I need original data for my IA?
Yes for Geography, sometimes for Global Politics, but Psychology and History often use replication or source-based analysis.

4. Can I change my IA topic later?
Yes, but it’s best to finalize early to avoid wasted effort.

5. What’s the most important factor for IA success?
Engagement. If you care about the topic, your analysis will be stronger.

Conclusion

Choosing the right IB Social Studies IA topic is the first step toward success. By focusing on relevance, feasibility, and originality, you can create an IA that reflects your interests while meeting examiner expectations.

Remember — a strong IA is not necessarily the most ambitious, but the one that is well-planned, well-researched, and clearly argued.

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