Subject Guides
Research looks different in each subject.
These guides are starting points, not replacements for teacher instructions. Use them to choose credible sources, understand evidence types, and avoid predictable research problems.
Chinese A
Literature, mother-tongue reading, Chinese contexts
Good evidence
- Specific passages from the literary text.
- Patterns of language, imagery, structure, or narrative voice.
- Scholarly criticism and contextual evidence used carefully.
Starting resources
- School Chinese collection and teacher-recommended reading.
- CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, NCPSSD, and public-library digital resources.
Common mistakes
- Writing plot summary instead of literary analysis.
- Using informal online commentary as academic evidence.
- Forgetting edition, translator, or publication details.
English B
Language, culture, media, global issues
Good evidence
- Authentic articles, speeches, interviews, advertisements, campaigns, or visual texts.
- Specific language choices, audience, purpose, tone, register, and perspective.
- Credible cultural or global-issue context.
Starting resources
- Library of Congress Collections, Project MUSE, NCPSSD, CNKI, and JSTOR after activation.
- English B course companions and teacher-selected cultural sources.
Common mistakes
- Choosing sources about a topic but not about language or communication.
- Using AI translation or rewriting without permission.
- Relying on summaries instead of analyzing the original text.
Economics
Data, policy, real-world examples
Good evidence
- Official statistics, policy reports, economic indicators, and academic articles.
- Graphs explained and evaluated in the student's own words.
- News examples connected to economic theory, not used alone.
Starting resources
- World Bank, IMF, WTO, UNDP, OECD, Federal Reserve, Trading Economics, NBS China, and BLS.
- RePEc, SSRN, NBER, Google Scholar, World Bank eLibrary, IMF eLibrary, and JSTOR after activation.
Common mistakes
- Using news articles as the only evidence.
- Ignoring units, dates, definitions, and data sources.
- Making policy judgments without trade-offs or stakeholder evaluation.
Business Management
Companies, markets, strategy, finance
Good evidence
- Annual reports, financial statements, market data, and independent business journalism.
- Company websites used critically as primary sources.
- Case studies and academic articles on management, marketing, operations, finance, and strategy.
Starting resources
- AnnualReports, Statista where available, World Bank, Google Scholar, JSTOR after activation.
- Harvard Business Review, Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, and Bloomberg where access allows.
Common mistakes
- Relying only on the company's own website.
- Using outdated market data or unsupported business advice websites.
- Making recommendations without evidence.
Psychology
Studies, ethics, mental health information
Good evidence
- Peer-reviewed studies, review articles, and official mental health information.
- Clearly explained methods, samples, ethical considerations, and limitations.
Starting resources
- NIMH, WHO, APA, Google Scholar, and EBSCO where available.
- Guardian Science and New York Times Health for current context.
Common mistakes
- Relying on pop psychology or social media explanations.
- Treating one study as final proof.
- Collecting sensitive personal data without approval.
Biology
Databases, public health, biodiversity
Good evidence
- Peer-reviewed articles, biological databases, public health or biodiversity data.
- Lab method references, variables, controls, data tables, graphs, and figures.
Starting resources
- NCBI, PubMed, UniProt, RCSB Protein Data Bank, WHO Data, GBIF, bioRxiv, and Google Scholar.
- Nature News, ScienceDaily Biology, New Scientist, Quanta Biology, and BBC Science for exploration.
Common mistakes
- Treating preprints as fully peer-reviewed evidence.
- Using science news without checking the original study.
- Ignoring ethics, safety, variables, controls, units, or uncertainty.
Chemistry
Properties, safety, methods, simulations
Good evidence
- Reliable chemical property data, experimental methods, spectra, structures, and reaction data.
- Clear uncertainty, units, variables, and safety considerations.
Starting resources
- ChemicalBook, NMR database, Google Scholar, CNKI, and Wanfang.
- PhET, TeachChemistry, Khan Academy Chemistry, and IB Chemistry coursebooks.
Common mistakes
- Using unverified chemical data or ignoring safety information.
- Failing to record units and uncertainty.
- Using simulations without explaining assumptions.
Physics
Models, method, data, uncertainty
Good evidence
- Experimental data, equations, assumptions, measurement uncertainty, and model fitting.
- Reliable method references, textbook support, and simulations used with explanation.
Starting resources
- DP Physics course companion and prepared resources from the school textbook list.
- Google Scholar, PhET, Khan Academy Physics, and teacher-selected open resources.
Common mistakes
- Using equations without explaining physical meaning.
- Ignoring uncertainty, units, controls, and simulation assumptions.
- Choosing mathematics beyond what the student can explain.
Mathematics AA and AI
Proofs, modelling, data, statistics
Good evidence
- Clear derivation, well-explained model, reliable data, graphs, and calculations with interpretation.
- Stated assumptions, limitations, citations for data, software, and methods.
Starting resources
- CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, China Science Paper Online, PubScholar, National Data, PBOC statistics, and CGSS.
- zbMATH Open, arXiv, EMIS, Journal of Statistical Software, OpenIntro, LibreTexts, NRICH, Mathigon, and Khan Academy.
Common mistakes
- Choosing mathematics that looks impressive but is not understood.
- Using software output without explanation.
- Ignoring assumptions, data limitations, or citation of tools.