Tips for Student & Teacher

The supervisor plays an important role in helping students to plan and undertake their research for the extended essay. The relationship between supervisor and student should be an active two-way process with the supervisor primarily there to support and guide the student, during the supervision and reflection sessions, at the planning stage, and when the student is carrying out and writing up their research. The supervisor guides the student through the process ensuring they are on the path towards success. It's the responsibility of the supervisor to ensure that students are familiar with the requirements of the extended essay. Supervisors and students must discuss:

the nature of the extended essay
their chosen subject, topic and research question
the most appropriate research methods to be used given the subject for which the student is submitting their essay
the formal requirements for the completion of the task

The Supervisor

Undertake three mandatory reflection sessions with each student they are supervising
Initial and date each reflection summarized on the Reflections on Planning and Progress Form and provide comments at the end of the process. Click here to learn about the reflection process.
Provide students with advice and guidance in the skills of undertaking research. This video will help you teach this to students.
Encourage and support students throughout the research and writing of the extended essay. This can be done through the SAFE framework.
Discuss the choice of topic with each student and help to formulate a well-focused research question which is suitable to the subject of registration. The supervisor must also ensure that the chosen research question satisfies appropriate legal and ethical standards with regard to health and safety, confidentiality, human rights, animal welfare and environmental issues.

Be familiar with the regulations governing the extended essay and the assessment criteria, and gives copies of these to students
Monitor the progress of the extended essay to offer guidance and to ensure that the essay is the student’s own work
Read and comment on one draft only of the extended essay (but do not edit the draft); this should take place after the interim reflection session, but before the final reflection session, the viva voce
Ensure that the final version of the essay is handed in before the final reflection session (viva voce) takes place, and that no changes are made to it subsequently
Read the final version and, in conjunction with the viva voce, confirm its authenticity. You can find out more about this process by clicking here.