How To Research
Before Starting
First and foremost, it is important that students students completing the Extended Essay (EE) focus on an idea that interests them. Once you have an idea, you cane pick between one of two pathways, interdisciplinary or subject-focused. Which pathways you use will depend upon your particular topic, personal interests, and how they relate to your studies. Please look at the PDF below for more information on which pathway you should use on your EE.
Subject-focused essays use knowledge, concepts, theories, perspectives or methods, or a combination of these, from one chosen DP subject to respond to a research question.
Please note that ESS and Literature and Performance essays are required to be subject-focused. ​
Think about your extended essay as being a different experience compared with your classroom learning. This is your change to engage in self-designed, independent research, challenging yourself, expanding your thinking and stretching boundaries. Use the knowledge, concepts, theories, perspectives and/or methods, from one chosen DP subject to respond to a research question.
Subject-Focused
Interdisciplinary
Interdisciplinary essays combine two subjects effectively help research your chosen topic. This can lead to fresh insights and create new and/or deeper understandings that would not be possible through research within one subject.
Please note that interdisciplinary essay's in ESS and Literature and Performance are not allowed.
Students completing an interdisciplinary essay should have a strong understanding of both subjects. This understanding will be important in an effective interdisciplinary research pathway. While this essay will combine two subjects, an equal balance is not necessarily required for success. Instead, an interdisciplinary extended essay should demonstrate clearly that integration of elements of the two subjects has specifically enabled an effective response to the research question.
Pick a Framework
Students completing an interdisciplinary essay will need to pick a framework for their research. These frameworks are designed to help you address your topic in an appropriate context. The images below explain the different frameworks you can chose.
Step 1
Step 2
At this stage you need to explore:
What are my possible topics?
What do I know about those topics?
​Which words would be good search terms and keywords?
A good way of doing all this is through the use of mind maps.
Step 3
Do some background reading on your topic. Ask yourself...
What has already been written about the topic?
Was it easy to find sources of information?
Is there a range of different sources available?
Is there a range of views or perspectives on the topic?
What interesting questions have started to emerge from this reading?
Step 4
Websites with multiple perspectives
Sites with background information
Step 5
Define your topic. You need to understand what you will be researching. Utilize...
Step 6
Step 7
Identify your sources and understand how you will use them. Click here to figure out what the best source for your particular question is. Don't be overwhelmed by the amount of information you find. Only collect what might be useful to you. Here is a source tracker designed to make your life easier. It is HIGHLY suggested that you use this. When looking at sources, be sure to distinguish between Primary and Secondary sources. You can find out how to do that by clicking here.
It is important to use the correct format when citing these sources as soon as you find them. While it might seem time consuming now, it will save your time later on. Use smart research strategies (See Step 4) to further your research.
It is also important to remember to only use academic sources in your research. Sites like Wikipedia are good for getting background information, but are not considered credible within academic research. For more information on figuring out if a site is credible, click here.
Determine what information from your sources is useful for your specific research question. Just because something is interesting doesn't mean it should be included in your project. Be sure to use research methods that are appropriate for your field of research. Your supervisor will be able to guide you on this process.
If you are struggling to find information on your topic, you will need to change your research question.
Step 8
Manage your time wisely. As full IB students you will have a number of long-term projects that need to be completed. Waiting until the last minute will lead to poor performance and ultimately endanger your ability to pass IB. It is YOUR responsibility to manage your time so that you do not become overwhelmed. This link can help you manage your time better.
To manage your time, it helps to ...
Be aware of your own time management
Be aware of how long it takes you to complete each type of study task
Schedule time for unforeseen events
Schedule time for relaxation and leisure. Mental health is important and ignoring it will hurt your academic progress
Be very specific in your time-planning
Step 9
It is also important to be familiar with the requirements for the EE in your area of research when writing the outline. After you write your outline, cross reference it with the requirements to make sure nothing is missing.
Create an outline for your essay. Outlines are a map for writing and will ensure that you cover all that you need to. An outline breaks down your research in a clear, hierarchical manner. Writing an outline before beginning the paper is most helpful in organizing one's thoughts. If your outline is good, your paper should be easy to write.
Step 10
Assess the sources you have used. This can be done by using a CHECKLIST and the CRAAP Test. If you are struggling to find enough credible information on your topic, you will need to change your research question. Add credible sources to your outline where they will be inserted into the essay.
Step 11
Complete your research. Be sure to look at scholarly sources. Additionally, you should find both Primary and Secondary forms of research.
Primary research techniques include:
printed works - books, journals, newspapers, magazines
internet sources - websites, articles, journals and so on, available only online
Other media sources - films, TV and radio programs
any other published information containing ideas and information relating to your choice of topic
Secondary sources may include include:
setting up experiments
extracting information from original documents
interviewing experts
conducting formal surveys
gathering information by other methods from primary sources
Step 12
Begin to write your essay. Remember, your outline is a map for your essay. Follow it. Be sure that your writing is academic. You can learn how to do academic writing by clicking here.
As you write, you should be sure to include appropriate citations. Click here to make sure you are following the correct format for paraphrasing and citing your Extended Essay.
Remember, this is just a draft. It does not need to be perfect. At this point you just need to get words on paper. Don't worry about making it sound perfect or fitting within the word count. That will come later.
Step 13
Proofread your essay. This is where you need to polish your work. Start by making a copy of your original work and making all changes there. This lets you see the progress and gives you something to go back to if you change your mind later. Remember to make sure you followed correct punctuation, spelling, and grammar. Ensure that you meet all requirements from this checklist. If you can't check all the boxes you need to go back and make modifications.
Make sure your entire paper in written in the same tense and in a formal register. For more information on the basic rules of writing in English, click here. For tips on being an effective proofreader, click here and here.
Step 14
Self-evaluate. Read your essay from the perspective of the grader and with a critical eye. Then complete the Extended Essay Checklist. It comes directly from the IB EE markscheme. When you are able to answer yes to all questions, your Extended Essay is ready to be submitted. Lastly, ensure that the EE is formatted correctly. For examples, click here.
Step 15
Check for Academic Integrity. You can check your work for free by clicking here. Additionally, the EE Coordinator will check your work on Turnitin.com before submitting your work to IB. For more information on Academic Integrity, click here. At this point you will also conduct your Viva Voce interview with your supervisor.
Adapted from https://libguides.westsoundacademy.org/ee/the-basics