Research skills refer to a set of abilities and strategies that enable individuals to locate, evaluate, analyse, and synthesise information from various sources to produce new knowledge or insights. Research skills are essential for academic and professional success, as they are used in various disciplines, including science, social sciences, humanities, and business.

The most important research skills to develop include:

Information literacy: This skill involves the ability to locate, evaluate, and use information effectively and ethically. It includes understanding different information sources, search strategies, and citation practices.

Critical thinking: This skill involves analyzing, evaluating, and interpreting information to form informed opinions and make reasoned judgments. Critical thinking requires identifying biases, assumptions, and limitations of information sources.

Analytical skills: These skills involve the ability to break down complex information into manageable parts, examine relationships between different parts, and draw conclusions from the analysis.

Communication skills: Effective communication skills enable you to present your research findings in a clear and concise manner, using appropriate language and formats.

Time management: Research requires time and effort, and it is important to manage time effectively to meet deadlines and complete projects successfully.

Problem-solving: Research often involves solving problems, including identifying research questions, developing research designs, and addressing data analysis challenges.

Creativity: Developing creative approaches to research questions can help you generate innovative ideas and solutions.

Declaring AI use

The IB acknowledges the value of AI, but it is essential that this AI use is declared and properly referenced.

The key rules are:

Never cite AI as the original source of facts. Always reference primary sources.
Follow classification requirements (see below).
Failure to reference AI use where required will be treated as academic misconduct.

All drafts and final submissions must include a student AI Use Declaration indicating the appropriate classification level (0–3) - see below for the levels.

AI Declaration

The declaration must specify:

The AI tool name and version,
The purpose of use, and
A statement confirming that you have verified all information and rewritten any generated material in their own words.

Example:

AI Use Declaration

AI Tool and Version: ChatGPT (GPT-5), OpenAI

Purpose of Use: Used to brainstorm potential research questions related to marketing strategies for small businesses, and to improve clarity in written explanations. No AI-generated text or analysis has been copied directly into the IA.

Verification Statement: I confirm that all information presented in this IA has been verified through independent research and that any ideas or text generated with AI assistance have been rewritten entirely in my own words to reflect my personal understanding.

How to determine "Purpose of Use"

To guide you in writing the purpose of use, you can refer to the levels of AI use as follows:

Level 0: No AI Use - Work completed entirely by the student without any AI assistance. This is unlikely.

Level 1: Limited Assistance - AI is used only for mechanical or surface-level improvements (grammar, formatting, spellcheck). All ideas, arguments, and analysis are original. This will not be referenced but should be included in the declaration. For example: Using Grammarly or other AI to check clarity or grammar.

Level 2: Documented Support - AI used as a learning aid (e.g. summarising background texts, generating practice questions, or brainstorming structure). Output must be critically evaluated, revised, and properly referenced. This will need to be declared and referenced. For example: Using AI to summarise a research paper, then rewriting findings in your own words and citing the tool.

Level 3: Generative or Analytical Contribution - AI produces text, analysis, or data directly integrated into assessed work. This is only permitted in exceptional circumstances and requires the DP Coordinator's approval and clear documentation. May not be accepted for submission if deemed excessive or misleading. For example: Using AI to draft or rewrite body paragraphs or to generate code or statistical calculations.

Level 4: Undeclared or Misrepresented AI Use - AI-generated work submitted as the student’s own without acknowledgment or approval. This is not permitted and is an act of academic dishonesty. For example: Copying or lightly editing AI text and presenting it as original.

Please note:

Teachers will only provide feedback on drafts that include a declaration.

If AI use changes between drafts, the declaration must be updated accordingly.

Citing and Referencing AI Use

According to APA requirements:

AI is treated as a nonrecoverable source.
Cite the authoring organization, tool, version, descriptor, and URL.

In-text citation examples:

Direct quote: “Malaria cases rose in 2020 due to disrupted health services” (OpenAI, 2025).

Paraphrase: AI output suggested that malaria trends changed after the pandemic (OpenAI, 2025).

Reference list entry:

OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (Mar 26 version) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/

If anything is unclear about these instructions, please speak to the DP Coordinator or to a subject teacher.

Tips for principled AI use

As an IB student at SVP, you are encouraged to use technology to enhance your learning. Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be a powerful "partner" in your studies, but there is a big difference between using AI to help you learn and using AI to replace your learning.

To stay safe and ensure your work is authentic, follow the Levels of AI use guidelines.

1. The Golden Rule: The "Learning vs. Faking" Test

Before you use an AI tool (like ChatGPT), ask yourself:

Is this helping me learn? (e.g., "Explain this complex physics concept to me.") → Acceptable.
Am I using this to fake work I didn't do? (e.g., "Write my History internal assessment for me.") → Unacceptable.

Remember: If you use AI-generated content, you must cite it. If your assignment is just a collection of AI ideas without your own analysis, you will not receive credit for higher-order thinking.

2. Protecting yourself: The "Paper Trail"

At SVP, your teachers know your "voice." If a piece of work looks suspicious, we will support you by asking for proof of your process.

Keep Everything: Save your rough notes, early outlines, and every draft you write.
Version History: Work in Google Docs or similar tools where we can see the "history" of how your essay grew over time.
The Oral Interview: If there is a doubt, your teacher will hold a short interview with you. If you cannot explain the logic or the evidence in your essay, we cannot authenticate your work.

3. How to Cite AI Properly

If you use AI, you must be transparent. SVP and the IB require:

In-Text Citation: Clearly label any text, image, or data produced by AI.
Bibliography: List the tool (e.g., ChatGPT 4), the exact prompts you used, and the date the content was generated.
Transcripts: For major tasks (like the EE or IAs), you should provide a full transcript of your AI chat as an Appendix at the end of your work.

The Bottom Line

Using AI to support your learning is a smart move. Using AI to replace your learning is a violation of academic integrity that could cost you your IB Diploma.

When in doubt, ask your teacher!

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Declaring AI use

Tips for principled AI use

Evaluating Sources

Evaluating Print Sources

Reading a Journal Article

Reading Statistics

APA Formatting

APA Guidelines