As with all assessments, it is vitally important that the work you complete is fully of your own creation, and that you cite any material that is not your own, whether it be exact words, or paraphrased or summarized ideas. If you include words or ideas that are not your own, and that you could not have known about were it not for encountering them in your research, then they must be cited within your essay, and the complete sources listed in your bibliography.
If you violate standards of academic honesty, the consequences can be significant, and can include not being granted your IB Diploma. Even if your errors are unintentional, they may still carry a heavy price. Thus, be safe rather than sorry. Read the information below, and if you ever have questions about best practices, make sure to ask.
There are many web sites that that include helpful information regarding how and when to cite, and best academic practices to avoid plagiarism. However, the one I find most useful is the Purdue OWL (Purdue is a prestigious university in Indiana; "OWL" stands for "online writing lab"). I consulted it in my own graduate work and it is known in academic circles in the U.S. for its accuracy and clarity. This page is a great overview of Best Practices, as it discusses how to research, take notes, and draft in a way that encourages academic integrity.
For generating citations, AISB recommends using Noodle Tools, which you can access through the library home page. For a quick overview, the Purdue OWL has a fantastic document which explains how to document citations in three types of style: APA, MLA, and Chicago. The first eight pages list bibliographical citation formats; in-text citations start on Page 9.
You need to cite whenever you reference words, material or ideas that you were not familiar with before beginning your work. This includes direct quotes, paraphrased information, and summarized information. Here is a good overview of what information needs to be cited.
Remember: you must cite not only printed material, but images, videos, and interviews as well.
Many students ask whether something can be considered common knowledge, and thus not necessary to cite. Yes. Generally, if you could find the same fact in five or more different sources, it is common knowledge. This information from MIT provides a good overview of when something can be considered common knowledge.
Most people understand that any language that is not your own must be cited. However, information that is paraphrased (the use of your own words to express someone else's idea) or summarized (an abbreviated, rewritten version of an existing idea or work), must also be cited. This is because while the words may be your own, the ideas are not. Thus, they must still be cited. The citation will be just like any other citation; the difference is that there will be no quotation marks.
In addition, you must make sure that when you paraphrase and summarize, it is not only the words that are different, but the syntax and style. Simply replacing, deleting, or rearranging a few words does not make for valid paraphrasing or summarizing. If you don't intend on substantially editing down or rewording the idea, you should just stick with a quotation.
When I use these two techniques it is generally for 1 of 2 reasons: 1) Because the existing text would be confusing to someone less familiar with the topic, or 2) the main ideas behind the text are ones that be offered in a more succinct, accessible way. Otherwise, I stick with quotations.