While the IB Extended Essay Guide provides guidance around the entire EE process an in general (everything that MUST be done by EVERYONE in EVERY SUBJECT, the Subject Specific Guidance (see drop-down tabs above) is your roadmap to success in each specific area as it relates to your chosen subject! Following it carefully every step of the way is your surest way to your best possible performance on this task.
After reading selections from the general EE Guide below, go to your Subject Specific Guidance to see how these steps in the process are applied in your subject area.
The EE is an in-depth study of a focused topic. It gives you the opportunity to:
You must:
Sources of ideas may include:
Try to read as much as you can that has already been written about your topic. Time spent reading early on in the research process will guide and improve your work.
Reading broadly will help you to:
While conducting your literature review, you should compile an annotated bibliography and record your thoughts about what you read in your researcher’s reflection space (RRS).
Identify a working research question early on, but be prepared to change it if you don't find enough information.
Be guided by this idea: Your writing is important because...
The research question should not be trivial and and should follow from the existing body of literature on the topic. It must be:
Avoid researching questions that are too narrow or too obvious - these will limit your ability to formulate reasoned arguments.
Your answer to the question must be analytical, not descriptive.
The definition “research” and terms such as “primary data” and “secondary data” vary from subject to subject.
In some subjects, both primary and secondary data are required. Other subjects might or even must rely exclusively on secondary data.
Regardless of subject, everyone must carry secondary research in terms of a literature review for their topic.