1. Initial Ideas & the RRS
On this page ...
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an overview of each subject choice + the IB Subject Guides
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Information about the Researchers Reflection Space (RRS)
How to carry out step 1: A two minute summary
What to do with your initial ideas?
Firstly, tell yourself you first ideas need improvement. It doesn’t matter who you are, or how well you think you know the topic, you must do more research into and beyond your initial ideas. :)
Secondly, don’t think that your first idea will be all you need. It’s a wise student that has a plan B and C ready when plan A runs into impassable roadblocks.
Thirdly, put your ideas down on paper (digital or real). Convert them into a spider diagram, or a flow chart, or something else to help your ideas grow. You may have been given previous thought-planners in some of your regular classes. If they work for you then consider using them for the EE.
This website will be providing templates in Step 2.
Homework
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Join our google classroom
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Start a reflection journal/space (see information about the RRS below)
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Read the Subject Guides carefully - and follow with your teachers to find out more
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Start fleshing out your initial ideas on paper
Did you know?
You'll find many useful google docs on this site. Those coloured green are highly recommended.
Already done all this?
Then start digging deeper and gathering credible sources of information about your ideas and themes.
You'll eventually want to write a literature review and you can start that research and reading now.
Remember to keep a note of authors and sources that you use; even those sources you might dismiss. Why? Because they might turn out to be useful later.
Super tips
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There's a lot on this page; be sure to scroll down to the bottom
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Think about all your passions and all your IB subjects before making your choice
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Don't overlook the World Studies option. It might be better named Global Issues and could be perfect for you.
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If you're interested to know more speak to Mr Bell
What next?
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Think carefully and mindfully about what you want to research (you'll be spending apx 12 months on this project!)
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Follow up with the appropriate teachers for more advice - be sure to have a two-way conversation, ie you contribute your thoughts and ideas
Watch this Video
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Remember to give a thumbs up and subscribe :)
Step 1: Initial Ideas & the RRS
What subject to pick?
It's true that most students pick from one of their HL options . Logically that makes sense, you'll be learning most about those topics so why not write an EE about one of them?
But it's often the case that students rush into a subject without thorough thinking. Check out the Early Bird Challenge in the page above to begin to grasp the potential and opportunities offered by the EE. It really is unique.
AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE ARE ALL SUBJECT EE GUIDES - BE SURE TO CHECK THEM OUT
Lekanides (64) says you should avoid
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Selecting an investigation simply because you like the topic
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Selecting an investigation simply because you have had a good teacher
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Selecting an investigation because you were instructed to do so
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Selecting a topic where the conclusions act as a springboard for preaching or one-dimensional arguments
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Making emotional appeals (for example, if only everyone did "X" the world would be a better place)
About the Researcher's Reflection Space (RSS)
Did you know ...?
More information about reflection can be found on the following pages
- EE Reflections (technical and procedural)
- Example Reflections (a look at some RPPFs)
- Reflection skills (what, where and how)
IB EE Subject Guides
All the following subject guides are clickable and downloadable. Be sure to read over them carefully and be fully aware of what the EE in that subject 'feels' like. Feel free to ask the teachers of those subjects or the EE coordinator for more information or to answer any questions you may have. They are all taken from the official IB EE Guide found HERE.
EE HACK 1: consider an EE in any of your six subjects or even the special interdisciplinary options such as World Studies (maybe better called Global Issues)
EE Hack 2: don't be put off an EE subject because of a rumour it is 'too hard'. Similarly don't pick a EE subject because you think it's easy. This is likely to be the longest project of your IB career so you want to be motivated to do it plus you will enjoy the process if you naturally interested in the the topics.
Some supervisors advise students to consider their passions and then spend some time thinking how it might be applied to all of their subjects. Be curious about the world around you. What do you want to know more about? This is your chance to investigate.
Language & Literature
Language Acquisition
The Arts
Individuals & Societies
IB Courses Not Offered at ISB
The Sciences
Mathematics
Interdisciplinary Subjects
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World Studies EE Subject Guide (aka Global Issues)
2. Groundwork & the Research Question
On this page...
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Advice and suggestion for carrying out some groundwork (preliminary) research
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Useful beginner insights on how to phrase the Research Question (RQ)
Super tips
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Understand the RQ will not be perfect for sometime; it evolves as your research progresses
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Avoid mindlessly picking 'To what extent...' as your RQ without considering alternatives
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Your RQ must be a question - be sure to use a question mark
What next?
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Get ready for your first official meeting; have ideas to share, questions to ask, notes to show.
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Get ready to write a short reflection after that meeting; keep updating your RRS on a regular basis
Why is coming up with a research question so difficult?
On groundwork
Dr Zina O'Leary provides some expert advice
This video is freely available from https://study.sagepub.com/oleary3e. Please as always, speak to your subject specialist supervisor for advice on your EE
Feasibility & worthiness check
you may like to carry out a feasibility and worthiness check on your ideas so far. But you should do another feasibility check in Step 4 of the EE process too.
To be an EE superstar remember these three things...
Remember to regularly add reflections to your RRS
Remember the IB has ethical guidelines for you to follow
Remember each IB subject will have unique requirements. Check out the subject guides (step 1) for more insight
The Research Question
From the IB EE Guide
Did you know...?
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You can see examples of RQs in each of the IB EE Subject Guides
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This website contains many example Extended Essays?
Useful links to elsewhere on the web
The University of Melbourne
An excellent video and well worth watching
Developing a research question
Center for Innovation in Research and Teaching
Another great video but not aimed at IB students. So take note; you DO HAVE to design and communicate a Research Question
Developing a Research Question
Georgian College Library
Taming Your Research Topic
UCLA Library