Ethical Research for the EE (DP IB Extended Essay): Revision Note

What does ethical EE research involve?

Defining ethical research

• An Ethical Researcher is a student who carries out their inquiry honestly while showing respect for other people, animals and the environment

• Ethical research involves managing four key responsibilities:

  • Academic integrity

  • Well—being and sensitivities

  • Ethics and safety

  • The environment

• Students have an ethical responsibility to ensure their work is authentic and that they behave responsibly throughout the research process

• Understanding ethical research means being aware of how your work might impact participants and the wider world

Academic integrity and authenticity

• Academic integrity is a set of values and behaviours that promote honesty and personal integrity in learning and assessment

• Every essay must be authentic, meaning it is based on the student's own original ideas and acknowledges the work of others

• Trust is built with the reader when a student reports their research and findings as accurately and fully as possible

• Students must avoid collusion — a form of academic misconduct where two or more students work together to complete an individual assessment

  • This includes co-writing material that you will later use in your extended essay submission

• Double-dipping—the practice of using the same material for two different assessment components—is strictly prohibited

  • Students must not use material submitted for another DP assessment element as part of their EE. While resources can overlap, it is advisable to avoid this

• Using a service or person to write the essay, or allowing another student to submit your work as their own, is a breach of integrity

Responsible use of artificial intelligence

• Artificial intelligence (AI) should be used as an ethical tool to support research rather than a way to replace the student's own work

  • AI tools may be used for idea generation, resource comparison, or for summarising (creating a short version) of long research texts

  • Using AI to generate essay text and then presenting it as your own is dishonest. 

  • If you use AI-generated material as a resource, you must acknowledge and cite it appropriately, and you must validate it against other reliable sources because AI can be inaccurate (‘hallucinate’)

  • Content created by AI can "hallucinate" (make things up), so it must be verified against other reliable, human—produced sources

Responsible citation and referencing

• Citations are used within the essay to acknowledge the specific source of a quote or an idea

• A reference list contains only the specific sources that you have actually cited within the body of your essay

• A bibliography is more comprehensive and includes every source you consulted during your research process, even if you did not end up citing them in the final text

  • Your EE may include either of these

  • It is a good idea to maintain a record of all your research materials in your Researcher's Reflection Space (RRS) to ensure you can accurately compile a reference list of bibliography later

• Citing and referencing are essential for building trust and establishing the student's status as a competent researcher

• Failing to acknowledge a source is a breach of regulations and can result in a penalty for the student

• Every citation must include minimum details — the name of the author, the date of publication, the title of the source and page numbers if applicable

  • If minimum referencing and citing requirements are not met, examiners are required to alert the IB and the work may be investigated

• For electronic sources, students must include the full URL and the date of access, which is the specific day the student viewed the website

Well-being and sensitivities in research

• Students must approach sensitive topics—issues that may be personally challenging or upsetting to others—with responsibility and care

• The researcher should reflect on their own position and the perspectives of others to avoid causing distress

• Consulting with your supervisor—a teacher who provides guidance and monitors progress—is essential when handling controversial or sensitive issues

• If you are researching a sensitive topic, it is highly recommended that you speak with your supervisor and EE coordinator early

Ethics and safety in practical research

• Students must prioritise the safety and well—being of any humans or animals involved in their research

• Informed consent is required for participants, meaning they must voluntarily agree to take part after understanding the research purpose

• Researchers must respect privacy and confidentiality by protecting the identities and personal information of their participants

• Any research involving experiments must follow strict safety guidelines for handling equipment, chemicals and waste disposal

• Unacceptable methods include trespassing (entering private property without permission), taking photos in prohibited areas, or using recording devices without a participant's knowledge

• Students should evaluate the environmental impact of their research, such as their mode of travel and the sustainable use of materials