IB DP Digital Society IA Inquiry Project - Criterion A

Digital Society Internal Assessment (IA) Guide

Criterion A: Inquiry Focus (3 Marks)

This guide aims to help IB DP Digital Society students craft an effective Inquiry Focus (Criterion A) for their Internal Assessment.

Title Page Requirements (Page One)

HEADING: Inquiry Focus Criterion A

SUB-HEADINGS:

• Word Count: 300 words (Criterion A) and 1,200 words (Criterion B)

• Inquiry Project Title

• Inquiry Question: Clearly state your question. Follow it with a brief paragraph expanding and explaining the research focus. The question must be powerful, researchable, and analytical, moving beyond simple description to analysis and evaluation.

Crafting the Inquiry Question

Your inquiry question should align with one of the AO3: Evaluation & Synthesis Command Terms:

• Compare: Discuss the similarities between two (or more) items or situations, referring to both/all throughout.

• Compare & Contrast: Highlight both similarities and differences between two (or more) items or situations, referring to both/all throughout.

• Contrast: Focus on the differences between two (or more) items or situations.

• Discuss: Offer a balanced review with a range of arguments, factors, or hypotheses, supported by evidence.

• Examine: Investigate an argument or concept by uncovering assumptions and interrelationships.

• Evaluate: Appraise by weighing strengths and limitations.

• Justify: Support your answer with valid reasons or evidence.

• Recommend: Suggest a course of action with supporting evidence.

• To What Extent: Consider the merits of an argument or concept, supported by evidence and sound reasoning.

Pro Tip: Rewrite your inquiry question multiple times until it is clear, concise, and reflective of your focus.

Difference Between Inquiry Question and Inquiry Project Title:

• The Inquiry Question frames your research focus and drives your analysis.

• The Inquiry Project Title summarises the overarching theme.

Inquiry Focus (Page Two)

Your Inquiry Focus must:

1. Clearly identify the digital technology central to your research.

2. Explain the connection between:

   • Your inquiry question.

   • A specific, relevant real-world example.

   • Course concepts, content, and contexts.

Key Requirements for a Compelling Inquiry Focus

A. Inquiry Question

Your question must:

• Be open-ended, thought-provoking, and encourage exploration from multiple perspectives.

• Support discoveries that go beyond recall, description, and summary.

B. Connections to Course Content, Concepts & Contexts

• Provide insights for inquiries using conceptual perspectives.

• Inform research with topics and details involving digital technology (digital society content).

• Situate your inquiry within the Digital Society course context.

C. Real-World Example

• Must involve a specific and existing digital system.

• Can be local or global in scope.

Structure and Sub-Headings for Page Two

1. Real-World Example

• Identify and explain a relevant real-world example related to your inquiry question.

• Cite the specific digital system/technology involved using subject-specific terminology.

2. Concepts, Content, and Contexts

• Explain the connection between your research and the Digital Society’s key concepts, content, and contexts.

Important Writing Tips

1. Vocabulary: Use precise terminology specific to the Digital Society course.

   • For clarity, define key terms/ideas where needed.

2. Connections:

   • Clearly link your inquiry question to the real-world example.

   • Ensure a strong connection to Digital Society concepts, content, and contexts.

3. Cite Sources: Always reference ideas properly.

4. Structure: Use the prescribed headings and sub-headings to maintain clarity.

Assessment Criteria for Criterion A

Mark	Description
0	The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
1	The focus is limited and/or incomplete. It does not include all required elements, and the real-world example is either not specific or irrelevant.
2	The focus is adequate. It includes an inquiry question with a partial explanation of its connection to a specific, relevant real-world example and contexts.
3	The focus is appropriate and targeted. It includes an inquiry question and a thorough explanation of its connection to a specific, relevant real-world example and course contexts.

Key to Achieving a Grade 7 in Digital Society

To achieve a Grade 7 in Digital Society, you must demonstrate:

• Conceptual Awareness: Show deep insight and understanding of Digital Society.

• Critical Thinking: Provide well-structured, logical arguments supported by evidence.

• Precise Use of Terminology: Use Digital Society-specific language accurately.

• Depth of Analysis: Analyse and evaluate evidence while considering alternative perspectives.

• Reflection: Show evidence of reflective thinking and critical self-assessment.

Template for Digital Society IA - Criterion A: Inquiry Focus

Title Page (Page One)

HEADING: Inquiry Focus Criterion A

SUB-HEADINGS:

• Word Count: (e.g., 300 words for Criterion A, 1,200 words for Criterion B)

• Inquiry Project Title: (Write your title here)

• Inquiry Question: (State your question clearly. Below, write a paragraph expanding and explaining your research focus. Explain why this question is significant and how it aligns with Digital Society concepts.)

Inquiry Focus (Page Two)

1. Real-World Example

• Identify and Explain: (Clearly identify and explain the real-world example related to your inquiry question. State the digital technology/system involved.)

  Example:

  • Real-World Example: (e.g., "TikTok’s recommendation algorithm")

  • Description: (e.g., TikTok uses machine learning to personalize content, leading to highly engaging user experiences.)

• Relevance to Your Inquiry Question: (Explain how the real-world example directly relates to your inquiry question.)

2. Digital Society Course Concepts, Content, and Contexts

• Concepts: (Identify and briefly explain the key Digital Society concepts involved, e.g., identity, surveillance, power, or expression.)

• Content: (Connect to specific content from the course, such as digital systems, algorithms, or ethics.)

• Contexts: (Relate your inquiry to a global, local, or cultural context, as relevant.)

3. Vocabulary and Terminology

• Key Terms: (List and define any essential Digital Society terms used in your research.)

  Example:

  • Algorithm: A set of rules or instructions a computer follows to solve a problem or perform a task.

4. Connection Summary

(Summarize how your inquiry question connects the real-world example to Digital Society concepts, content, and contexts.)

Digital Society Inquiry Project Criterion A Checklist

To ensure your Criterion A meets the requirements, check the following:

✅ Does your inquiry question align with the AO3 command terms (e.g., Compare, Discuss, Evaluate)?

✅ Is your inquiry question open-ended, thought-provoking, and encouraging critical thinking?

✅ Have you included a specific, relevant real-world example?

✅ Does your example involve a specific digital system (e.g., social media algorithm, cloud computing)?

✅ Have you clearly connected your inquiry to Digital Society concepts, content, and contexts?

✅ Are all ideas properly cited and referenced?

✅ Is your vocabulary precise and relevant to Digital Society?

Student getting TOP MARKS for their DigiSoc Ia