Overview
This lecture provides an in-depth guide to the International Baccalaureate (IB) Extended Essay (EE), covering its aims, structure, requirements, assessment criteria, and subject-specific expectations to help students manage and succeed in this major research project.
The Extended Essay: Purpose and Structure
- The EE is a required, independent research project of up to 4,000 words for IB Diploma students.
- It allows students to investigate a topic of personal academic interest, typically within one of their IB subjects.
- Students are guided by a supervisor and must complete three official reflection sessions, documented in the Reflections on Planning and Progress Form (RPPF).
- The EE develops research, critical thinking, self-management, and communication skills, and is intended to prepare students for university-level work.
Choosing a Topic and Research Question
- Choose a focused topic from the approved IB subject list, usually one currently studied.
- Develop a clear, arguable, and researchable question stated explicitly on the title page.
- Avoid topics that are too broad, trivial, or lack available sources; ensure the question can be answered within 4,000 words.
Research, Writing, and Presentation
- Begin with a review of existing literature and develop a research plan, including both primary and secondary sources as appropriate.
- Structure the essay with: Title page, Table of contents, Introduction, Body (research, analysis, discussion), Conclusion, References/Bibliography.
- Use a clear academic style: 12-point font, double-spacing, paginated, and no identifying information (name/school) in the text or headers.
- Word count must not exceed 4,000; appendices and cited material do not count toward this limit.
Academic Integrity and Reflection
- All sources must be properly cited and referenced using a consistent standard (style decided by school/subject).
- Academic honesty is strictly enforced; plagiarism or collusion may result in not being awarded the diploma.
- Students must engage in process reflection, documenting progress, challenges, and learning in the RPPF, which is assessed.
Assessment Criteria
- Five main criteria: A) Focus and Method, B) Knowledge and Understanding, C) Critical Thinking, D) Presentation, E) Engagement (via reflection).
- Each criterion has specific descriptors and markbands; total possible marks are 34.
- Essays are externally assessed and combined with the Theory of Knowledge component to contribute up to three "core points" to the IB Diploma score.
Roles and Support
- The school provides a supervisor, internal deadlines, and access to support resources such as librarians.
- Supervisors offer guidance but cannot edit or correct student work beyond general comments on one draft.
- Librarians provide training in research skills and information literacy; external mentors may assist in special situations.
Subject-Specific Guidance
- Each subject has additional requirements for topics, research methods, and evaluation.
- Students must ensure that EEs do not duplicate internal assessments or other coursework; content overlap is not permitted ("double-dipping").
Key Terms & Definitions
- Extended Essay (EE) — An independent, self-directed research paper required for the IB Diploma.
- RPPF — Reflections on Planning and Progress Form, documenting key reflection points in the EE process.
- Supervisor — Appointed teacher guiding the student’s research and EE process.
- Primary sources — Original data or materials collected by the student.
- Secondary sources — Published literature, articles, or data produced by others.
- Academic honesty — The practice of acknowledging all sources and submitting original work.
- Markband — A range of marks linked to performance descriptors for assessment.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Select an EE subject and begin preliminary research on possible topics.
- Read the subject-specific guidance in the IB EE Guide for your chosen subject.
- Maintain regular communication and attend all required meetings with your supervisor.
- Develop and refine your research question, documenting all progress and reflections in your RPPF.
- Ensure you understand referencing requirements and academic honesty expectations.
- Meet all internal and IB deadlines for draft and final EE submission, including the RPPF.