Economics IA Articles

Economics IA articles are a crucial part of the IB Economics Internal Assessment. In this post, we'll break down everything you need to know about these articles, equipping you with the knowledge to excel in your Economics IA. 

Economics IA Articles

What are Economics IA Articles?

Articles are a key component of the IB Economics Internal Assessment, as they essentially are the subject of the IA. For the Economics IA, students are required to produce three commentaries, each centered around a selected article. In each commentary, the student presents the article at the beginning, and then uses economic theories and graphs to analyze and evaluate the content, demonstrating their understanding of the topic. 

How do I choose my IA Articles?

The easiest way to find articles for your IA is by conducting an online search. We recommend to search up key word or phrases that relate to the topic you would like to explore. When selecting articles, ensure they are connected to the IB Economics Key Concepts, as each commentary must be linked to one of these concepts—scarcity, choice, efficiency, equity, economic well-being, sustainability, change, interdependence, and intervention. Furthermore, each commentary must relate to a different syllabus area (macroeconomics, microeconomics, international economics, global economics). 

It is important to remember that each article must be from a different source and must have been published no earlier than one year before the writing of the commentary. 

How long can the Articles be?

The IBO does not specify the required length of the Articles students can use. We however advise you to choose articles of such length that allows for deep analysis that fits within the 800–word limit. If you however come across a lengthy article that seems promising for a strong commentary, you can always simply highlight the relevant fragments on which you wish to base your commentary. 

What types of Articles can I use?

Most articles found online can be used for your IA, provided they allow for economic analysis and can be connected to an IB Economics Key Concept and an area from the syllabus. However, students are strongly advised to avoid basing their commentaries on blog posts, social media content, advertisements, and governmental reports.

It is also important to mention that your commentary does not have to be based solely on articles that are explicitly economic in nature. If you come across an article that, while not primarily economic, offers the potential for insightful economic analysis, don't hesitate to use it.

We hope you found this post helpful. For more useful materials associated with the IB check out the wide variety of IA, EE and TOK exemplars available at Clastify and other guides available on our blog.