In digital society students explore the impacts and implications of digital systems for people and communities in diverse real-world contexts. EE students can research a topic of personal interest that is inspired by their learning in digital society.
A digital society EE offers students an opportunity to:
develop research skills by selecting, analysing and evaluating diverse and appropriate sources of information relevant to digital society
demonstrate creative and critical thinking in their selected digital society topic, through effective argumentation supported by appropriate evidence and inclusive of different perspectives
explore in depth how digital systems interact with people and/or communities
approach academic integrity as a constructive and positive aspect of learning.
The impacts and implications of digital systems and technologies in society are wide-ranging, significant, and may be evidenced on personal, local and global levels. As such, digital society students enjoy a great deal of flexibility in their choice of topic. An initial digital society EE topic may be sparked by student interest in:
current events or developments
existing, new or emerging digital technologies or systems
real-world issues and examples
pressing global challenges.
Relevance to digital society
A digital society EE should be relevant to the course and oriented to examining the impacts and implications of digital systems and technologies for people and communities from the perspective of the social sciences and/or humanities rather than computer science.
Opportunities for analysis
The chosen topic should provide opportunities for critical analysis of the information that is gathered. Students should avoid topics that depend entirely on summarizing the ideas, perspectives and findings of others as this tends to produce an essay that is essentially narrative or descriptive in nature. Analysis can arise from the findings from secondary research, outcomes from primary research, and the related analysis resulting from considering both secondary and primary research. There are many approaches that can be considered for primary data collection and investigations. Appropriate methodology must be used and explained within the body of the essay.
Examples of topics
These examples are just for guidance. Students must ensure their choice of topic is focused (left-hand column) rather than broad (right-hand column).
Focused topics
Broad topics
To what extent is feminism taken into consideration in the design and culture of video games developed by [name of company]?
Digital gaming cultures and communities
What are the impact and implications of developing and using a virtual model, such as a digital twin model, of the city to assist with the design and management of sustainable public spaces in [name of city]?
The future of cities and public space in a digital society
How effective are internet-based digital systems used by non-state actors in [name of country] in preventing digital espionage tactics across borders?
Cyber weapons and contemporary warfare
What is the impact of robotics in automotive manufacturing on worker health and well-being at [name of company]?
Automation and business
Considering digital society connections and approaches to research
One way that students might narrow a broad topic into an effective research question is to make clear connections to the digital society course as well as to relevant approaches to research. One example of this process of topic refinement is provided below.
Initial broad topic
Digital society connections
Approaches to research
Digital gaming cultures and communities
Content
Networks and the internet
Media
Context
Cultural
Social
Concepts
Expression
Identity
Power
Explore secondary and primary sources that address the impact of sexism and gender inequality in game design and gamer culture.
Apply a relevant conceptual or theoretical perspective to the topic.
Situate the topic in specific contexts relevant to real-world people and communities.
Research key events and issues such as the Gamergate controversy.
Interview prominent voices and/or community advocates.
Research and investigate video games relevant to the topic.
Interview gamers and designers and assess their perspectives on sexism and inequity within their culture
Focused research question
To what extent is feminism taken into consideration in the design and culture of video games developed by [name of company]?
Applying conceptual and theoretical perspectives
In their essays, students should apply relevant conceptual and theoretical perspectives. These perspectives should not be presented as a separate section but must be integrated throughout the essay and inform its overall approach. Students can demonstrate their skills of analysis and evaluation by judging the extent to which a conceptual and/or theoretical perspective is valid or useful in responding to the research question. The analysis and evaluation must be supported by evidence. The Digital society teacher support material (available on the Programme Resource Centre) discusses possible theories, frameworks and perspectives that might be considered.
Working with sources
There are many types of appropriate sources that a student might consult for a digital society EE.
Type
Description and examples
News sources
News sources provide rich, topical, and relevant real-world examples.
Traditional print and online newspapers, such as The New York Times.
News media sources that offer news with a defined perspective, such as MIT Technology Review, WIRED, Engadget and BBC Technology News.
Books and book series
Mass-market and academic-oriented books (including university textbooks) relevant to digital society course topics.
Websites such as Kirkus, BookAuthority and Forbes often compile lists of top technology books published in a given quarter or year.
Relevant books are often part of a series or imprint. For example, MIT Press’s “Inside Technology”, Polity Books's “Digital Futures” or Oxford University Press's “Very Short Introductions”.
Academic journals and databases
Peer-reviewed academic research available through specific journals and databases.
Among others, the Directory of Open Access Journals and Google Scholar are excellent starting points for locating and accessing academic research.
Online platforms
There are many online platforms that offer resources relevant to a digital society EE.
Social media is a rich source to explore to find and analyse different perspectives on digital society topics.
Wikipedia, if corroborated, can be a good source of information about digital society topics and issues.
Practitioners
The perspectives of real-world practitioners are highly valuable resources to be consulted.
For example, local coders, designers, tech workers and professionals who use technology.
Artefacts and devices
Investigating specific digital technologies, systems, devices and related information can help enrich research with first-hand experiences and evidence.
For example, collaborating using a specific digital platform, designing a program, spending time playing a video game or analysing online policies in practice.
Selecting and analysing sources
The following approach to exploring claims and perspectives is helpful in selecting and analysing sources for a digital society EE.
Reflection question for evaluating sources
Origins and purpose
Where did the source come from?
Who made it?
Why was the source created?
What are some potential biases and limitations of the source?
Meaning and methods
What are the essential ideas in the source?
What kinds of methods (for example, qualitative, quantitative, mixed) are used to support these ideas?
How does the source communicate its ideas?
Corroboration and use
Can the source be corroborated? Is it trusted by experts in the field?
How has the source been used by different people, communities, and platforms?
Can the claims in the source be verified?
Justification
Is there a clear justification as to why this source is relevant and useful for the chosen topic and the research question?
Examples of topics, research questions and suggested approaches
Once students have identified their topic and written their research question, they can decide how best to undertake their research. They may find it helpful to write a statement outlining their broad approach. These examples are for guidance only.
Topic
Digital gaming cultures and communities
Research question
To what extent is feminism taken into consideration in the design and culture of video games developed by [name of company]?
Approach
Secondary research and primary research includes:
evidence collected from sources that address the impact of sexism and gender inequality in game design and gamer culture
application of relevant conceptual or theoretical perspective to the topic
exploration of specific contexts relevant to real-world people and communities
investigation of key events and issues such as the Gamergate controversy
interviews with prominent voices and/or community advocates
experience playing video games relevant to the topic developed by [name of company]
interviews with gamers and designers to assess their perspectives on sexism and inequity within their culture.
Topic
The future of cities and public space in a digital society
Research question
What are the impact and implications of developing and using a virtual model, such as a digital twin model, of the city to assist with the design and management of sustainable public spaces in [name of city]?
Approach
Secondary research and primary research includes:
evidence collected from reliable sources to show how digital systems are used to design sustainable spaces
interviews with city planners and designers involved in sustainable city design
interviews with prominent voices and/or community advocates of sustainable urban design
exploration of ways digital systems inform design of sustainable spaces in cities, finding examples where this has been successful and less successful
analysis of the costs and benefits of using digital systems in the design of public spaces.
Topic
The future of work: The impact of automation on business
Research question
What is the impact of robotics in automotive manufacturing on worker health and well-being at [name of company]?
Approach
Secondary research and primary research includes:
evidence collected from reliable sources to show the impact of the use of robotics in manufacturing in general and at the particular company
interviews with prominent figures in the field of manufacturing robotics
investigation of key issues such as the change in workers’ roles and responsibilities when robots are introduced in a work setting
analysis of reported differences in worker health and wellness in the manufacturing sector prior to the introduction of robotics and after.
Topic
Digitization and digital preservation
Research question
How can digital archiving strategies be effectively implemented to preserve cultural and historical records in regions vulnerable to war, civil unrest and natural disasters?
Approach
Secondary research includes:
examination of case studies of digital preservation in conflict or disaster zones
exploration of academic articles on digital archiving and cultural preservation
investigation of reports from global organizations on heritage sites at risk
review of technical solutions such as cloud storage solutions or blockchain for digital archiving
application of relevant conceptual perspectives such as identity or the contextual lens of culture
investigation of government policies and initiatives on digital archiving and cultural preservation to understand national priorities or challenges.
Topic
Smart home technology for inclusive and accessible living environments
Research question
How has smart home technology been utilized to create more accessible living environments for individuals with disabilities?
Approach
Secondary research includes:
analysis of market research reports or consumer reviews of smart home technologies
exploration of academic studies on home accessibility solutions
examination of case studies on successful implementation of smart home technology to support access and mobility for those with disabilities
examination of technical documentation on specific smart devices and their applications
review of government and non-governmental organizations’ reports on disability, accessibility and technology.
An important note on “double-dipping”
Students must ensure that their EE does not overlap with any other work they are submitting for the Diploma Programme.
The EE and the IA
The EE is not an extension of the internal assessment (IA) task. Students must ensure that they understand the differences between the two, and select different topics for the digital society IA and for the digital society EE.
Internal assessment
Extended essay
Purpose
The purpose of the IA inquiry project is to investigate impacts and implications of digital systems for people and communities in an open and exploratory way.
The purpose of the EE is for students to research an area of interest relevant to the topics of the digital society course in order to add knowledge to an existing body of research.
Process
The inquiry project process integrates elements (for example, course framework, inquiry model and toolkit) unique to the digital society course.
The EE process integrates a supervised research model shared by all DP students who complete an EE.
Format
The format of the inquiry project involves multiple modes and media—inquiry process document, multimedia presentation and list of references.
The format of the EE is an academic piece of writing modelled on those produced for journals—a formal essay based on research with no more than 4,000 words.
Supervisors play an important role here in guiding students on these distinctions. Students risk not receiving their diploma if academic misconduct is found.