25 ESS IA Research Ideas with Sketches

Move from “I need an IA topic” to a research idea you can discuss with your teacher. Choosing an interesting topic is only the first step. You also need to consider what you can measure, how you will collect data and whether the investigation is practical with the time and resources available to you.

This concise collection by Marija Maletz, ESS teacher, examiner and tutor, helps you compare possible starting points and think through those decisions before committing to an investigation.

For ESS SL & HL | English | 16-page printable PDF | €25

LOOK INSIDE — 2 pages of research ideas with sketches

How can this help you?

• If you have no topic yet: compare 25 ideas across different environmental themes instead of starting with a blank page.
• If your idea is too broad: use the research-question starting points to think about a more focused investigation suited to your own setting.
• If you are unsure how to collect data: use the sketches and expanded data plans to visualise possible measurements, sampling and controls.
• If you are choosing between several ideas: compare equipment, site access and data availability before discussing your preferred option with your teacher.

What is inside?

• 25 research ideas selected and refined from Marija’s original collection.
• A method sketch beneath every idea to make the proposed approach easier to understand.
• Expanded data plans covering measurements, controls, independent replication and possible data processing.
• A range of approaches: fieldwork, controlled experiments, anonymous surveys and secondary-data investigations.
• Design cautions about confounding variables, limitations and unsupported causal claims.

Environmental themes include biodiversity, soil, agriculture, air quality, river nutrients, recycling, consumption and emissions.

How to use the collection

1. Shortlist ideas that interest you. Start with an environmental issue you would like to investigate.
2. Check feasibility. Confirm access to suitable sites, equipment or datasets, and consider the time you have available.
3. Adapt the question and data plan. Use your own location, variables and practical constraints; do not simply copy an idea unchanged.
4. Discuss your plan with your teacher. Check the current assessment requirements and any safety, ethical or permission requirements before collecting data.

Is this the right resource for you?

This collection is for SL and HL students who are choosing or refining an ESS IA investigation and want visual starting points with practical planning guidance. It is an ideas-and-planning resource, rather than an exam-question collection.

It does not include completed IAs, ready-made results, individual feedback or a guaranteed grade. You remain responsible for your own research question, investigation, analysis and writing.

Format and delivery

You receive a 16-page English-language digital PDF, suitable for reading on screen or printing. Download is available after payment is confirmed. No physical item is shipped.

Independent educational resource; not affiliated with or endorsed by the International Baccalaureate.