Referencing is one of the most overlooked aspects of the IB Math Internal Assessment (IA). Many students focus on calculations and forget that academic honesty is an official IB requirement. Whether you’re quoting a theorem, adapting a model, or using a graphing tool, every external idea must be properly acknowledged.
This guide will show you how to cite sources correctly, avoid plagiarism, and use RevisionDojo’s Citation Manager to organize your references effortlessly and professionally.
Quick Start Checklist
Before final submission, confirm that you have:
- Cited all books, websites, and software tools used.
- A References or Bibliography section at the end of your IA.
- In-text citations for every external idea, definition, or formula.
- Consistent formatting (APA, MLA, or IB-recommended style).
- Used the Citation Manager to check accuracy and formatting.
Good referencing isn’t just about avoiding penalties—it shows examiners that you’ve conducted genuine, scholarly research.
Why Referencing Matters in the IB Math IA
The IB expects every IA to demonstrate academic integrity and proper acknowledgment of all sources. Even in a mathematical investigation, referencing plays a key role in:
- Crediting original authors for theorems, equations, and models.
- Helping examiners verify where your ideas come from.
- Showing that your work builds on credible, authoritative material.
- Demonstrating professionalism and ethical awareness.
Failure to cite properly can lead to plagiarism concerns or a reduction in marks for communication and reflection. Referencing protects both your work and your reputation.
What Needs to Be Cited
In mathematics, many ideas are considered “common knowledge,” such as the Pythagorean theorem or the quadratic formula. However, anything specific to a source must be referenced. You should cite:
- Definitions copied or paraphrased from textbooks or online resources.
- Equations, derivations, or methods from research papers or websites.
- Any graph, diagram, or dataset not created by you.
- Software or tools used for calculations or visualization.
- Models, formulas, or proofs adapted from external sources.
If you didn’t derive or create it yourself, cite it. When in doubt, include a reference—it’s always safer.
Choosing a Referencing Style
The IB doesn’t require a single specific style but expects consistency and clarity. Common choices include:
- APA (7th Edition): Author, year, title, and source URL.
- MLA (9th Edition): Author, title, publisher, year, and URL.
- Harvard Style: Flexible, concise, and ideal for mathematical writing.
Example in-text citations:
- APA: “The function is modeled using Newton’s Law of Cooling (Stewart, 2021).”
- MLA: “According to Stewart (2021), the rate of cooling is proportional to temperature difference.”
Whichever you choose, stick with it throughout your IA.
Using the Citation Manager for Accuracy
RevisionDojo’s Citation Manager simplifies referencing by helping you track every source as you go. It allows you to:
- Store and organize references by type (book, article, website, tool).
- Auto-format citations in your chosen style.
- Generate in-text references that match your bibliography.
- Verify that every citation appears both in-text and in your final list.
By using it early in your writing process, you’ll save hours of formatting later and prevent accidental omissions.
Step-by-Step Guide to Referencing Sources
1. Track Sources from the Beginning
As soon as you consult a resource, note the title, author, date, and URL. Waiting until the end leads to missing or incomplete entries.
2. Add In-Text Citations Immediately
Whenever you borrow an idea or equation, add a short parenthetical reference right away. This ensures you won’t forget the source later.
3. Create a Bibliography Section
List all sources at the end of your IA. The list should be alphabetized and formatted consistently.
Example (APA Style):
Stewart, J. (2021). Calculus: Concepts and Contexts. Cengage Learning.
4. Cite Tools and Software
If you use technology such as GeoGebra, Desmos, or Excel, include citations like:
“GeoGebra (Version 6.0). GeoGebra Foundation. Retrieved from https://www.geogebra.org.”
5. Cross-Check Consistency
Ensure that every in-text citation appears in your bibliography and vice versa. The Citation Manager automates this process for you.
Common Referencing Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
- Missing in-text citations: A bibliography alone isn’t enough—you must cite within your text.
- Inconsistent styles: Mixing APA, MLA, or Harvard creates confusion. Choose one and stay consistent.
- Over-citing obvious math: Don’t cite universally known theorems unless you’re quoting a specific explanation.
- Uncited visuals or tables: Always credit diagrams or graphs not made by you.
- Broken links: Double-check that all URLs are active and lead to credible sources.
The Citation Manager checks all these issues automatically, ensuring your IA stays clean and compliant.
Ethical Use of Sources
Academic honesty means representing your own work truthfully. This includes:
- Avoiding copied text, even from textbooks.
- Paraphrasing ideas in your own words and citing appropriately.
- Acknowledging collaboration when relevant.
- Ensuring any use of AI or digital assistance is disclosed according to IB guidelines.
Your IA should always reflect your understanding, even when it builds upon others’ work.
Reflection: Citing as a Sign of Understanding
Many students see referencing as a formality—but it’s actually an opportunity to demonstrate awareness. When you explain where your methods come from, you show examiners that you’ve researched carefully and chosen mathematical tools thoughtfully.
You might write:
“I adapted this approach from Stewart’s Calculus text but simplified it to fit discrete data.”
That kind of reflection highlights intellectual independence and earns credit in both Reflection and Communication criteria.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Do I have to cite every equation I use?
Not every one—only those borrowed or adapted from external sources. If it’s standard math taught in IB courses, no citation is required.
2. How many sources should I include?
Quality matters more than quantity. Most strong IAs include between 5–10 well-chosen references.
3. Can I use online sources like Wikipedia?
It’s better to reference primary or reputable academic sources. You can use Wikipedia for background understanding but cite original references instead.
4. Do I need to reference images or screenshots I created myself?
No, only visuals from external sources. If you generated the image using technology, state the tool used but no citation is needed.
5. What happens if I forget to reference something?
Uncited external material may be treated as plagiarism. Always review your IA with the Citation Manager before submission to ensure completeness.
Conclusion
Proper referencing shows professionalism, integrity, and respect for mathematical scholarship. It’s your way of saying, “I understand where these ideas come from—and I’ve used them responsibly.”
Using RevisionDojo’s Citation Manager, you can manage every source efficiently, maintain consistent formatting, and submit an IB Math IA that’s accurate, ethical, and examiner-ready.
RevisionDojo Call to Action:
Stay accurate and honest in your IB Math IA. Use RevisionDojo’s Citation Manager to manage, format, and verify all your references with ease—because great mathematics deserves great credit.
