IB ESS IA survey topics

17 Apr IB ESS IA survey topics

Reviewed 4 October 2026 · Current ESS SL and HL course, first assessment 2026.

IB ESS IA survey topics should lead to a focused question about an environmental issue and a clearly defined population. A survey can investigate reported attitudes, knowledge or behaviour, but it is not automatically easier than fieldwork or secondary-data analysis.

IB ESS IA survey topics: three planning directions

These are original planning illustrations, not assessed exemplars or guaranteed high-scoring questions. Adapt the context and check feasibility with your teacher.

Support for a school food-waste policy

Compare a defined measure of support between specified groups at one school. Research the actual policy, decide how support will be measured and check access to participants. Stated support does not establish how much food waste the policy reduces.

Barriers to using public transport

Investigate reported barriers among a defined population in a specified place. Distinguish access, cost and perceived convenience rather than using a vague question about whether transport is “good.” A questionnaire does not directly measure emissions saved or establish why every individual makes a travel choice.

Views on a conservation proposal

Compare responses to a clearly described proposal, such as changing access to a local habitat. Use neutral wording and relevant background information. A survey of opinions about endangered species or biodiversity does not measure their abundance or conservation status.

From a broad theme to a focused question

Climate change, environmental values and resource consumption are broad interests. Specify the issue, population, measure and comparison needed to answer your question. Do not assume that a demographic difference causes an attitude difference.

A footprint questionnaire may feed reported information into a calculator. Explain the model, assumptions and source if you use its output. A calculated footprint is an estimate, not a direct measurement of all emissions or resource use.

Plan sampling, wording and analysis

• Define who the survey concerns and how participants will be selected.
• Pilot questions for clarity, neutral wording and suitable response options.
• Explain potential selection bias and non-response.
• Justify a feasible sample for your comparison and expected variation; there is no universal number that guarantees reliability or marks.
• Plan coding and analysis before wider collection. Ranked response categories are not automatically equal numerical intervals.
• Follow school requirements for consent and privacy. Avoid unnecessary identifying or sensitive information.

For an accessible example, inspecting a small pilot may show that participants interpret a question differently. Revise the wording before wider collection, then record the final procedure so another person could follow it.

Current ESS IA criteria and strategy

The current SL and HL individual report has a maximum of 3,000 words and is assessed out of 30 marks. It contributes 25% at SL and 20% at HL. Check the official IB ESS guide and our current criteria guide with your teacher.

Research an existing or developing strategy addressing an issue central to your investigation. Explain a tension between perspectives and its environmental or societal consequences. For a food-waste policy, investigate actual evidence about waste-reduction aims and concerns about convenience or cost. Do not invent stakeholder opinions.

This addresses the separate Strategy criterion. Evaluating your survey still requires specific limitations, their effect on findings and realistic improvements. See the official IB course update for the revised emphasis on perspectives.

Interpret results within their limits

Connect processing and graphs to the research question. Explain the patterns and the limits of your sample and measures. A result from volunteers in one school should not automatically be generalised to a city or country.

Use appropriate sources and keep your analysis and writing your own. Read the survey and secondary-data guide for method checks and the current IA structure guide for organising evidence.

Refine your survey in an ESS IA lesson

Bring a proposed question, draft questionnaire or pilot responses to Marija Maletz. Individual ESS IA guidance can help you identify unclear questions, assess feasibility and understand your next step. Your investigation and decisions remain your own.