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EE Guide
Relationship to TOK
- EE shares concern with TOK interpreting and evaluating evidence, but
stronger emphasis is placed on research
International Dimensions
- Try to find relevant information from diverse range of sources
AIMS
Be sure to use this essay as a chance to show off your skills in areas of research,
independency, critical thinking, and enthusiasm for learning!
ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES
- Try to go into this optimistically. It might be a lot of work, but imagine the
good that you will cause, the change you can bring into the world!
- ABS - always be specific. I doesnt matter whether its your research
question or experiment, make sure youre not overly general, as it ruins any
sense of focus
- Apply your analytical skills appropriate to the subject, and find implications
outside of school
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SCHOOL
The schools must provide you with a qualified supervisor (informed in the ways of the
EE), subject specific advisors, and inform you about the required 40 hours of work and
importance of the EE. If you feel as though youve been cheated, dont be afraid to bring
it up to one of your teachers, or the IB board itself.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE STUDENT
As a student, you must:
-choose topic fitting into approved subject
-observe EE regulations
-meet deadlines
-acknowledge all sources
Not a requirement, but highly recommended, is planning ahead by setting deadlines and
sticking to them. Theres nothing worse than finding out your project wont work halfway
through!
ADVICE TO STUDENTS FROM EXAMINERS
-maintain a good relationship with your teachers (youre going to need all the help you
can get)
Things to Avoid:
-dont work on research question that is too vague/narrow; keep it answerable in 40
hours/4000 words
--make sure you answer your research question
*make sure you have a sufficient background in your subject area*

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RESEARCHING AND WRITING THE EXTENDED ESSAY

The Research Process
1. Choose approved DP subject for extended essay
2. Choose topic
3. Formulate research question
4. Plan investigation and writing process (where material will be gathered,
which system of academic referencing will be used, set deadlines)
5. Plan a structure for the essay
6. Undertake preparatory reading (be prepared to change the knowledge
question, avoid waiting to know if one question is useable)
7. Carry out investigation
Writing the Extended Essay
*save introduction until the end of the essay; your final product probably wont reflect
your original plan*
-make sure body reflects the use and source of your discovered evidence
-use subheadings to help guide the reader
-use intro. To prepare reader for what is to come in the upcoming essay
-abstract is usually written last
*essays containing over 4,000 words are subject to penalty*
Title
Should provide clear indication of focus of the essay, be concise, and be phrased in the
form of a question
Abstract
300 words; it must be included in the essay; it doesnt serve as an introduction; it
presents an overview of the extended essay
*should be typed on one side of a sheet of paper, placed immediately after title page*
Contents Page
-must be provided, all pages must be numbered
*index not required*
Illustrations
-images designed to express data must be properly illustrated
-images are acceptable only when captioned/annotated and used to illustrate a specific
point described in the EE
Bibliographies, references and citations
*failure to properly cite sources will be viewed as plagiarism, so you should probably
avoid it*
Documentation
-you need a bibliography in which you list every source used to finish the essay
-dont try to fake sources, you could have your essay rejected if it is found out
-but if you do, dont get caught

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-the more important a source, the more of its source needs to be evaluated (if a lot of
your information comes from one source, its probably best to make sure that source is
legitimate, yeah?
-dont forget, in text citation exist and you need to use them, especially with direct
quotes.
THE USE OF OTHER MEDIA AND MATERIALS
*materials in other media must be submitted only as supporting appendices, shouldnt
detract from written content*
Computers
Encouraged when appropriate as tools for analyzing data relevant to subject of EE
*computer programs can only be included in computer sciences and physics essays*
Cds, DVDs, and audio-visual materials
*dont use em*
Specimen Materials
*cannot be submitted; use photographic evidence as a substitute*
THE VIVA VOCE (CONCLUDING INTERVIEW)
-short interview between student and supervisor, recommended conclusion to extended
essay process
Serves to:
- check plagiarism and gener malpractice
- reflect on successes and difficulties
- aid supervisors report
-the interviewer is might ask you to expand upon certain aspects of your study, or what
you found most interesting, or what you would have wanted to include with more space,
so make sure you thoroughly understand what it is youve created
REGULATIONS
Supervision
*students supervisor cannot be related to student
Language in which EE is written
*if submitted in group 1 or group 2, must be written in respective language, groups 3
and 6 must be written in English, French, or Spanish*
Academic honesty
*student must submit authentic essay, supervisor must confirm authenticity*
Choice of Subject
*doesnt have to be from subject studied by student (though recommended), cant be
submitted in TOK, school-based syllabuses or pilot subjects*

BIOLOGY GUIDE
CHOOSING TOPIC

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- Keep clear biological emphasis (science that deals with living organisms
and life processes)
- (example) - in the case of a biochemistry essay, you will be graded on the
biological aspect over the chemistry aspect.
*when picking a topic as vaguely centered as human disease (biological, medical,
social, or economic) be sure to remain focused on your chosen topic*
*experiment likely to inflict pain upon another living organism arent appropriate for
submission. Also, why on earth would you go out of your way to harm others, you
monster*
*dont perform an experiment that puts yourself at risk, or involves releasing confidential
information*
*dont center your essay around information well known to the public (in standard
textbooks, for example)*
TITLE CHOOSING
Ex:
A study of malnourished children in Indonesia and the extent of their recovery after a
period of supervised improved nutrition is better than Malnutrition in children.
*this isnt an english essay, dont worry about making a snappy title. Describe your study
in detail, no matter how overly-specific it may seem*
HOW TO TREAT YOUR TOPIC
- point out how your research question was arrived at by sharing aspects
not being considered in the essay
- Essays can be based around two different areas:
Data collected by the student through experimentation (survey,
observations, drawing, fieldwork)
data/information collected from literature (primary sources analysed in an
original way by the student)
- If done by experimentation, make sure to describe your procedure in detail
(how the methodology was chosen, what was rejected)
- Dont go crazy with your experiments, keep it somewhat simple and
accessible through your standard school apparatus (under the guidance of one of
your school counselors)
- Make sure to describe unexpected outcomes, but dont focus too much on
it
- -describe limitations on your method of experimentation
- ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
A: research question
-best stated in the form of a question that the essay will attempt to answer
-use question to form your hypothesis
B: introduction
-use to set research question into context
-include general background knowledge (keep it to a minimum, though)

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-expected to show full understanding

C: investigation
From data taken from written sources:
-explain how data has been selected
-comment on reliability
From experimental work:
-sufficient information on methodology
-allow work to be repeated
-demonstrate knowledge of theory behind technique
D: knowledge and understanding of the topic studied
- Based on specific, relevant, and clearly defined aspects of biological study
- Present evidence in way that shows understanding of biological study
- Extracted materials incorporated into main body of essay
E: reasoned argument
-dont focus on a large number of variables at once
-consistently refer back to knowledge question
-supporting hypotheses should make up part of your argument
F: application of analytical and evaluative skills appropriate to the subject
-conclusions must be based off presented data
-raw data isnt acceptable on its own, it needs additional analysis
-assess validity of hypothesis
G: use of language appropriate to the subject
-show mastery of appropriate terminology
-avoid excessive use of jargon
-maintain consistent linguistic style
H: conclusion
-point out main findings from research
-point out unexpected outcomes
-point out unresolved issues, make suggestions as to how such oversights might be
fixed
I: formal presentation
-supply references for illustrations
-dont supply illustrations for the sake of supplying illustrations
-raw data best included in the appendix, processed data should be in the body of the
essay
J: abstract
-include research question and a conclusion
-include description of methodology and scope of study
K: holistic judgement
Valued:
-intellectual initiative - use of innovative approaches to the research question

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-insight and depth of understanding - shown through detailed research and well
informed argument that addresses the research question
-originality and creativity - show your personal approach backed by solid research and
reasoning