01
A small business needs a local invoicing app with PDF export and overdue reminders.
Approach · Plan with a user interview, design DB and UI, build in Python or JavaScript, test with sample data, evaluate against brief.
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Computer Science · IA research questions
12 IB Computer Science IA ideas
Written and cross-checked by IB Diploma graduates: Alexander (41), Alejandro (40), Martina (40), Victoria (38), Martin (35), Maria (34)
· Checked against official IB guidance · Editorial policy
A strong Computer Science IA treats the solution as a real brief: one focused problem, a working program, and a ~2,000-word documentation package. The strongest submissions pick a problem small enough to solve completely.
Scope: Choose a client you can interview. Keep the product narrow: one feature, one dataset, one workflow. Document iteration honestly; examiners reward a tested, evaluated solution.
02
A school needs a revision quiz app that adapts difficulty and exports session stats.
Approach · Model learner state, implement scaling, test with classmates, evaluate usability and learning gain.
03
A sports club wants to record results and fixtures without manual spreadsheets.
Approach · Design a relational DB and simple front end, import data, evaluate against spreadsheet workflow.
04
A teacher needs to turn a CSV of marks into banded feedback templates.
Approach · Parse CSV, generate feedback, test with real data, evaluate time saved and error rate.
05
A community group needs a volunteer-rota manager with clash checking and reminders.
Approach · Design data model and notification workflow, build prototype, test swaps/cancellations, evaluate against paper.
06
Compare sorting and searching performance on real vs synthetic datasets.
Approach · Implement instrumented algorithms, benchmark, visualise results, evaluate fit to dataset shape.
07
A café wants a stock predictor for its top ingredients from eight weeks of sales.
Approach · Apply moving-average or regression forecasting, build a simple dashboard, evaluate against actual stockouts.
08
Tag and visualise named-entity connections in digitised letters.
Approach · Extract entities, store in a graph or DB, build search UI, evaluate recall and precision.
09
A household-budget app that categorises bank exports and flags overspending.
Approach · Parse transactions, apply rules, visualise trends, test with anonymised data, evaluate against spreadsheet.
10
A sensor-logging app for temperature and humidity with anomaly alerts.
Approach · Interface with a sensor or simulator, store readings, build alert logic, evaluate reliability.
11
A plagiarism-indicator tool comparing two essays with explanation.
Approach · Implement fingerprinting or embedding comparison, test with known cases, evaluate precision and recall.
12
A notation helper storing chord sequences, transposing keys and exporting MIDI.
Approach · Model chords, implement transposition and export, test with real sequences, evaluate workflow gain.
Sources & verification
Primary-source references used to verify key assessment facts on this page. Last source check: September 22, 2026.
These Computer Science ideas are original iBacalao starting points, not official IB research questions. Check the current Computer Science subject guide, your assessment session and your school's safety/ethics rules before committing to a question.
- IB — Diploma Programme assessment and examsOfficial overview of criterion-related assessment and internal assessment in the Diploma Programme.
- IB — current curriculum updatesOfficial hub for current and upcoming subject/assessment changes and subject briefs.
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