Selecting a suitable topic and research question for the IB Economics Internal Assessment (IA) can be difficult as it involves identifying a current economic issue that aligns with the curriculum and can be analyzed using economic concepts and theories. This guide aims to assist students in choosing an appropriate and effective topic and research question for their IA.

The nine key concepts

It is essential that students choose a topic and research question that can be analyzed through the lens of one of the nine key concepts:

Scarcity: The limited availability of resources in relation to the unlimited wants and needs of individuals.
Choice: The decision-making process that individuals and societies go through in order to allocate scarce resources.
Efficiency: The use of resources in a way that maximizes the production or benefit of goods and services.
Equity: The fairness and justice of the distribution of goods, services and opportunities among different groups within a society.
Economic well-being: The level of satisfaction and happiness that individuals and societies experience as a result of their economic activities.
Sustainability: The ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Change: The process of change in economic variables from one situation to another.
Interdependence: The interconnectedness of individuals, groups, and nations in terms of the exchange of goods, services, and resources, including the unintended economic consequences of actions on others in the global economy.
Intervention: The use of government policies to influence the economy and to address economic problems.

Luckily, the range of the nine key concepts is quite broad in scope, making it relatively easy for students to find a topic and research question that aligns with one of these concepts for their economics IA. However, it is important to remember the importance of selecting a topic and research question that can be effectively analyzed through the lens of one of the key concepts before proceeding to the next step.

Choose a topic of interest

Starting with a general area of interest is a great first step for choosing an effective topic. By thinking about the areas of economics that you find most interesting, you can narrow down your options and focus on topics that will be more engaging and enjoyable for you to research and write about. This can make the entire process of completing the IA less daunting and more enjoyable.

It is important to note that your interest in a topic does not necessarily have to be directly related to economics. It could be something that interests you in general, but that you can relate to the curriculum by finding an economic angle. For example, if you are interested in environmental issues, you could choose a topic that examines the economic impact of a particular environmental policy.

Consider the relevance of the topic

Choosing a topic that is relevant to what is happening in the world today will not only make your IA more engaging and interesting, but it will also help you to make connections between your topic and real-world situations. This will demonstrate to your teacher that you have a good understanding of the subject and that you are able to apply your knowledge to real-world issues.

It is also worth considering that you will need to find an article which is less than twelve months old and which is relevant to the topic you have chosen. One way to do this is by selecting a topic that has been recently covered in news or research. Another added benefit is that by choosing a pertinent topic, it will be easier to demonstrate that you are staying abreast of current economic issues and trends.

Consider the availability of data

You will also need to consider if your topic has enough publicly available information and data available with which to support your analysis and conclusions. For example, researching “the economic impact of unicorn sightings on GDP” would likely prove difficult due to the limited availability of credible data. Therefore, you should investigate other research which has been conducted on your topic before making a final decision to move forward.

Specific, measurable and answerable

Make sure to have a clear and concise research question that guides your analysis. It should be specific enough that you can easily identify the information you need, but not so specific that you are unable to find enough information to support your analysis. The research question should be measurable, meaning that there should be a method of quantifying the outcome.

It is also important to ensure that your research question is not only answerable within the scope of your IA, but also within the word count limit. Moderators will only read up to 800 words for each commentary, so make sure that your question can be fully addressed and supported within this limit using the data and resources available to you.

Ask your teacher for advice

If in doubt, you can always ask your teacher for advice and guidance. However, it is important to remember that it is not the responsibility of your teacher to come up with a research question for you. Before seeking help, make sure you have some general idea of what you would like to research. Your teacher can then help you to refine your ideas and to ensure that your topic and research question align with the criteria and suggestions discussed in this article.

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Luke Watson

Luke Watson has a BSc (Hons) in international business and economics. He is currently working as an IBDP economics teacher at Shanghai United International School in China.