IB extended Essay

1. Formulate a Research Topic & Question
DP Extended Essay
26th of Nov., 2017- Gr 12
31/01/2018 –Gr 11
Zakir Hossain
Teacher-Librarian
EE Coordinator

2. Contents
How to do Research for EE?
Research Question (RQ)?
Research Topic VS Research Question
Example of Good and challenging (bad) RQ
Example of Question starters….
Formulating a Research topic and Question (Students lead)

3. How to do Research for EE?
1. What do I need to know? (topic)
2. a. What questions do I answer? (hypothesis)
2. b. Where will I get the information? (source)
2. c. Did I put it in my own words? (Academic writing/research)
3. How do I cite my sources? (documentation)
4. How will I use the information? (presentation)
5. Did I do it correctly and completely? (rubric / directions)

4. What is Research Question?
A Research Question is a statement that identifies the event/incident to be studied.
A research question is a clear and focused question centred on a research topic.
To develop a strong research question from your ideas, you should ask yourself these
things:
Is the research question one that is of interest to you and potentially to others?
Is it a new issue or problem that needs to be solved?
Is it attempting to shed light on previously researched topic?
Is the research question researchable? e.g. time frame & the required resources.
Is the research question too broad or too narrow?
Source:https://cirt.gcu.edu/research/developmentresources/tutorials/question

5. One formulated by the student out of his own curiosity or
interest;
Non-trivial (i.e., substantial, not speculative or too limited in
scope, not self-evident);
Sharply enough focused so that the student can answer it
in 4,000 words e.g. IBDP.
A GOOD RESEARCH QUESTION for EE!

6. Topic vs Question
Topic Question
The feasibility of wireless
networking in a city-wide
context
To what extent is wireless
networking a feasible
alternative to cabled networking
within a whole city context?
An exploration of evil as a
motivating force in Drama.
How effectively does Christopher
Marlowe present his view of evil
in Dr. Faustus?

7. A research topic should not be too wordy
Wordy
Some problems of Diplomatic Quarter is that it
needs a larger cafeteria, an air conditioned gym, an
auditorium, restrooms connected to each parking
and a number of other physical changes to the
buildings.
Better
Diplomatic Quarter needs several changes to its
facilities to make it functional.

8. A research question should not be too general
Too general
How important is chlorophyll to plant life?
Better
What is the effect of different concentrations of kinetin
on leaves aging and the biosynthesis of chlorophyll?

9. Research question should not be too broad.
Too Broad
What is the history of Egyptian theatre?
Better
How does the legacy of Sayed Darwish contribute
to the traditional Arabic music?

10. Pursue your passion into RQ
You’ll notice that pretty much any “passion” can be turned into a RQ!
Passion: Coffee
Economics EE: How will the recent tariff on Vietnamese coffee
impact independent coffee shops in Riyadh?
Physics EE: How does the proportion of milk added to coffee affect
its cooling rate?
Mathematics EE: How can you model the flow of water through
coffee filter grains?

11. Pursue your passion into RQ (cont.)
Passion: Car
Psychology EE: Do people make attributions about another’s
success, intelligence and sociability based on their choice of
car?
Biology EE: What is the physiological effect on airbags on the
human body on impact?
Visual Art EE: To what extent is the car a canvas in the BMW
Art Car series?

12. Pursue your passion into RQ (cont.)
Passion: Tobacco
Geography EE: What factors contribute to the pattern of
cigarette smokers in Riyadh, KSA?
ITGS EE: What role has information technology played in
the developing world for educating youth about the dangers
of tobacco?
Chemistry EE: How does the environmental condition,
specifically temperature, alter the quantity of nicotine in
tobacco?

13. Pursue your passion into RQ (cont.)
Passion: Game of Thrones
English EE: What message does George R. R. Martin express
through different characters’ experiences with disillusionment in
his novel Game of Thrones?
Economics EE: To what extent is there price discrimination in
the market for illegal copies of Game of Thrones Season 7 in
different malls in Riyadh?
Computer Science EE: What are the most significant graphical
algorithms employed by the visual effects company MPC in their
futility CGI software used for the wooly mammoths of Season 4?

14. Question starters….
To what extent … Allows for an evaluation of the degree [extent] to
which something is true or a contributing factor.
To effectively answer this type of question, the main
body of the essay should include consideration of
other influencing factors.
How successful … Allows for an evaluation of the success of an
approach, method or policy.
What is the impact
of …
A straightforward causal investigation
Is it possible to
determine …
An investigation into a framework based on
existing and available evidence.
How
accurate/reliable …
Allows for an exploration relating to accuracy
or usefulness.

15. Narrowing Down your Research Focus…
Subject
English
Theme
19th Century novels of love and relationship
Context
Love and relationship in the Novels of Jane Austen
Topic
Austen’s attitudes to Love and relationship in Pride and Prejudice
Research questions
Final RQ
In what ways does Jane Austen express her attitudes to the themes of love and marriage
inherent in her work Pride and Prejudice?
What are Austin's attitudes to love and
marriage in Pride and Prejudice?
What ways does Austin portrait herself
towards love and relationship in her Pride and
Prejudice novel?

16. Thank You
Q & A

17. Lekanides, Kosta. Extended Essay Course Book: Oxford IB Diploma Programme. OUP, 2016.
Hossain, Zakir. “EE DIRECTIONS:2016-18 Cohort: Click Here to Download the Pdf EE Information Booklet .” EIS
Learning Resource Centre, Aug. 2016, eishcmclrc.wordpress.com/ee-directions/.
Thompson, Emma and Richard Penny. “DEVELOPING YOUR RESEARCH PROJECT.” [week 2: Exercise:
developing your research question]. MOOC offered by the University of Southampton. Retrieved on Sept. 24,
2017 from https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/research-project/9/steps/158525
References