31 Jan ESS IA Ideas: Three Starting Points and Feasibility Checks
For IB ESS SL and HL, first assessment 2026. A broad interest becomes a workable IA idea when you can define a focused question, obtain suitable evidence and explain the environmental issue it addresses. The maximum report length for the current course is 3,000 words; the earlier 2,250-word reference on this page applied to the previous course.
Three starting points to develop
These are planning directions, not finished research questions or projects to copy. Adapt an idea to your setting, available equipment or data and your school’s requirements before deciding whether it is feasible.
1. Water temperature and dissolved oxygen
You could explore the relationship between water temperature and dissolved oxygen in a defined body of water or a suitable existing dataset. Decide which variable you will measure or select, how it is recorded and what range of conditions is represented.
Planning check: time of day, water movement and biological activity may also influence the observations. A correlation alone does not establish that temperature caused every difference. Discuss safe site access and sampling procedures with your school before fieldwork.
2. Soil compaction and water infiltration
You could compare infiltration at sites with different levels of trampling or land use. Define how compaction or site condition will be measured or classified, how infiltration will be recorded and how locations will be selected.
Planning check: soil texture, recent rainfall, moisture and vegetation can affect comparisons. Decide how to obtain repeated observations without treating repeated readings from one location as independent sites. Obtain permission and avoid unnecessary disturbance.
3. Environmental perspectives and a local management decision
You could investigate views about a specific issue, such as a proposed transport measure or local conservation action. Define whose views you want to investigate and whether your evidence can answer the question.
Planning check: ask your school about consent, anonymity and ethical requirements before collecting responses. Avoid leading questions and collecting identifying information that is not needed. A small convenience sample cannot automatically represent an entire community.
For conceptual background, read how to compare environmental value systems.
Test the idea before committing
- Focus: can you explain exactly what the investigation asks?
- Evidence: are the measurements or data accessible and appropriate?
- Method: can you describe and justify how evidence will be collected or selected?
- Analysis: can the evidence support a meaningful comparison or relationship?
- Feasibility: do time, permissions, safety and resources allow the work?
A small preliminary check can reveal unclear measurements or unavailable data. Agree any practical work with your teacher first. Do not design experiments that deliberately harm organisms or release pollutants.
Connect the investigation to an environmental strategy
The current assessment includes examining a strategy related to the issue and tensions between perspectives. Keep this connected to your investigation. For example, different priorities may affect how people judge a management response. The official IB curriculum update explains the current requirements.
Get help developing your own plan
Read our ESS IA structure guide and the current ESS IA word-limit guide. Marija Maletz can explain research and analysis skills while your investigation and submitted report remain your own. Explore online ESS tutoring or request a free 20-minute trial lesson to discuss your needs.
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