Computer Science IA ideas: how do you choose one?
Choose an idea that fits the subject criteria and can be answered with evidence, a method, and resources you can access.
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.
Which research questions fit Computer Science IA?
The questions below are starting points to adapt to your own variables, evidence, and assessment task.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Compare sorting and searching performance on real vs synthetic datasets.
Approach · Implement instrumented algorithms, benchmark, visualise results, evaluate fit to dataset shape.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A plagiarism-indicator tool comparing two essays with explanation.
Approach · Implement fingerprinting or embedding comparison, test with known cases, evaluate precision and recall.
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.
Find questions that fit your resources
Filter the Computer Science ideas by time and equipment. This is a practical shortlist, not a judgement about the quality of a research question.
12 of 12 starting points match these time/equipment filters
- 01A small business needs a local invoicing app with PDF export and overdue reminders.
- 02A school needs a revision quiz app that adapts difficulty and exports session stats.
- 03A sports club wants to record results and fixtures without manual spreadsheets.
- 04A teacher needs to turn a CSV of marks into banded feedback templates.
- 05A community group needs a volunteer-rota manager with clash checking and reminders.
- 06Compare sorting and searching performance on real vs synthetic datasets.
- 07A café wants a stock predictor for its top ingredients from eight weeks of sales.
- 08Tag and visualise named-entity connections in digitised letters.
- 09A household-budget app that categorises bank exports and flags overspending.
- 10A sensor-logging app for temperature and humidity with anomaly alerts.
- 11A plagiarism-indicator tool comparing two essays with explanation.
- 12A notation helper storing chord sequences, transposing keys and exporting MIDI.
Items with unspecified equipment or time remain visible. Check safety, ethics, available evidence and the current assessment guide before choosing.
Research question feasibility test →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.
Picked a question? Check your draft before you submit.
iBacalao reviews your Computational Solution documentation (IA) criterion by criterion using the configured Computer Science criteria for this assessment session. Start with 60 Shells.
Open Computer Science IA review →