the ib extended essay problems of supervision and how to help the student

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THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

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Page 1: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY

Problems of supervision

and

How to help the student

Page 2: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

THE EXTENDED ESSAYTHE EXTENDED ESSAY

• What is it?• How do I get started?• Good and Bad Research Questions• Some Common Problems

Page 3: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

Basic FactsBasic Facts

• Personal research by the student• On a question or hypothesis chosen by the

student, not assigned by the teacher• In a subject or discipline listed by the IB

(e.g., NOT Linguistics, Sociology or Mathematical Economics)

• In the format of a formal research paper

Page 4: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

Basic FactsBasic Facts

• Length 4,000 words• not including appendices, illustrations,

bibliography, footnotes or endnotes• with an abstract within 300 words

Page 5: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

Basic FactsBasic Facts

Required for the IB DiplomaCounts towards additional diploma

points along with Theory of Knowledge

Assessed according to published criteria

Page 6: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

WHO IS INVOLVED IN THE WHO IS INVOLVED IN THE EXTENDED ESSAY?EXTENDED ESSAY?

• The student• The student’s supervisor• The IB Coordinator• The International Baccalaureate

Organization

Page 7: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

HOW TO CHOOSE A HOW TO CHOOSE A RESEARCH TOPIC RESEARCH TOPIC

• Decide which subject interests you the most.

• Without personal curiosity and interest, it’s impossible to do research.

Page 8: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

HOW TO CHOOSE A HOW TO CHOOSE A RESEARCH TOPIC RESEARCH TOPIC

In that subject, make a list of the topical areas in the subject that interest you the most.

Page 9: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

HOW TO CHOOSE A HOW TO CHOOSE A RESEARCH TOPIC RESEARCH TOPIC

Discuss this list with • your teacher• your friends • your parents and/or • anyone else who you think may be able to give you advice or be interested.

Page 10: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

HOW TO CHOOSE A HOW TO CHOOSE A RESEARCH TOPIC RESEARCH TOPIC

Choose an area from this list, and read more in this area - if possible, with advice from your supervisor.

Page 11: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

HOW TO CHOOSE A HOW TO CHOOSE A RESEARCH TOPIC RESEARCH TOPIC

• While reading, try and list questions that you are curious about.

• THIS MUST BE DONE RIGHT THROUGH THE RESEARCH PROCESS, SO....

Page 12: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

KEEP A RESEARCH KEEP A RESEARCH DIARY!DIARY!

Page 13: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

HOW TO CHOOSE A HOW TO CHOOSE A RESEARCH TOPIC RESEARCH TOPIC

Ask yourself• what data you might need to answer these

questions• whether you will have access to the data• whether you will need to find other sources

of data

See whether there has been any research by others in this area.

Page 14: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

HOW TO CHOOSE A HOW TO CHOOSE A RESEARCH TOPIC RESEARCH TOPIC

Consult the librarian for help with tracking down research papers or writings, and read the abstracts.

Page 15: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

HOW TO CHOOSE A HOW TO CHOOSE A RESEARCH TOPIC RESEARCH TOPIC

Ask what methods you will need to adopt to answer the questions you have in mind.

Page 16: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

HOW TO CHOOSE A HOW TO CHOOSE A RESEARCH TOPIC RESEARCH TOPIC

BrainstormDraw spider diagrams of questions and issues and connections between them.

Page 17: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

HOW TO CHOOSE A HOW TO CHOOSE A RESEARCH TOPIC RESEARCH TOPIC

Narrow down the number and scope of your questions as you proceed.

Page 18: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

HOW TO CHOOSE A HOW TO CHOOSE A RESEARCH TOPIC RESEARCH TOPIC

Consult your supervisor at each stage, and in case of difficulty.

Page 19: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

HOW TO CHOOSE A HOW TO CHOOSE A RESEARCH TOPIC RESEARCH TOPIC

EXPECT TO CHANGE YOUR MIND SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE YOU FINALLY SETTLE ON A TOPIC.

Page 20: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

WHAT IS A GOOD WHAT IS A GOOD RESEARCH QUESTION?RESEARCH QUESTION?

• One formulated by the student out of his/her 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.

Page 21: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

EXAMPLE OF A BAD EXAMPLE OF A BAD RESEARCH QUESTIONRESEARCH QUESTION

ECONOMICS

Does globalization affect Turkey?

Page 22: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

EXAMPLE OF A BAD EXAMPLE OF A BAD RESEARCH QUESTIONRESEARCH QUESTION

BIOLOGY

What causes cancer?

Page 23: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

EXAMPLE OF A BAD EXAMPLE OF A BAD RESEARCH QUESTIONRESEARCH QUESTION

HISTORY

What would have happened to Turkey if the last Sultans had been

more powerful?

Page 24: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

EXAMPLE OF A BAD EXAMPLE OF A BAD RESEARCH QUESTIONRESEARCH QUESTION

GEOGRAPHY

Does Istanbul have a central business district? (variant of an example in The Extended Essay, IBO, 1998)

Page 25: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

EXAMPLE OF A GOOD EXAMPLE OF A GOOD RESEARCH QUESTIONRESEARCH QUESTION

ECONOMICS

Is there a connexion between international coffee prices and living

standards in Uganda?

Page 26: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

EXAMPLE OF A GOOD EXAMPLE OF A GOOD RESEARCH QUESTIONRESEARCH QUESTION

BIOLOGY

The ecology of snails in the Koç School campus.

Page 27: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

EXAMPLE OF A GOOD EXAMPLE OF A GOOD RESEARCH QUESTIONRESEARCH QUESTION

HISTORY

The establishment of foreign schools in Turkey in the 19th century

Page 28: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

EXAMPLE OF A GOOD EXAMPLE OF A GOOD RESEARCH QUESTIONRESEARCH QUESTION

GEOGRAPHY

How has migration affected land use patterns in Van province?

Page 29: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

COMMON PROBLEMS COMMON PROBLEMS WITH EXTENDED ESSAYSWITH EXTENDED ESSAYS

Page 30: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

COMMON PROBLEMS COMMON PROBLEMS WITH EXTENDED ESSAYSWITH EXTENDED ESSAYS

Students discover too late that there is too little data, or data is inaccessible.

Page 31: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

COMMON PROBLEMS COMMON PROBLEMS WITH EXTENDED ESSAYSWITH EXTENDED ESSAYS

Bad pacing of the research and writing process

Page 32: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

COMMON PROBLEMS WITH COMMON PROBLEMS WITH EXTENDED ESSAYSEXTENDED ESSAYS

PLAGIARISM

The use of the work of other authors(texts, data, creative productions,oral statements OR ideas) withoutproper acknowledgement, with theeffect that it appears to be the

plagiarist’s own work or idea.

Page 33: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

COMMON PROBLEMS COMMON PROBLEMS WITH EXTENDED ESSAYSWITH EXTENDED ESSAYS

Over-reliance on web-based sources

Page 34: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

COMMON PROBLEMS COMMON PROBLEMS WITH EXTENDED ESSAYSWITH EXTENDED ESSAYS

Students discover too late that their knowledge of the subject is not deep enough.

Page 35: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

COMMON PROBLEMS COMMON PROBLEMS WITH EXTENDED ESSAYSWITH EXTENDED ESSAYS

Ethical issues regarding gathering of data or performing of experiments

Page 36: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

COMMON PROBLEMS COMMON PROBLEMS WITH EXTENDED ESSAYSWITH EXTENDED ESSAYS

No contribution by the student – the extended essay is a compilation of information from other sources.

Page 37: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

EXTENDED ESSAY EXTENDED ESSAY ADVISORYADVISORY with STUDENTSwith STUDENTS

Page 38: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

What does this session What does this session cover? cover?

• Where you should be in the process now.• What you need to do if you are not there. • Possible problems at this stage, and what to

do about them. • Tips and pitfalls• Discussion with subject teachers and

librarian.

Page 39: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

Where should you be in the Where should you be in the EE process by now? EE process by now?

• You should have:– Assembled the material and bibliography for your

research– Performed experiments (where required)– Recorded data or observations on which your research

is based. – Written up research notes– Outlined your analysis– Started writing the SECOND DRAFT

Page 40: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

What you need to do if you What you need to do if you are not thereare not there

• Decide whether you still want the IB diploma. If you do…

• Show your supervisor what you have done• Ask for advice. • Spend more time on the EE research process to

complete what needs to be done up to the second draft.

• Submit a second draft with what you have, and try and improve on it AFTER it is returned to you with your supervisor’s comments.

Page 41: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

What you SHOULD NOT do if What you SHOULD NOT do if you are not thereyou are not there

• DON’T PANIC!• Don’t give up. No extended essay means NO

IB DIPLOMA. • Don’t PROCRASTINATE and DELAY, or

pretend that the problem will go away.

Page 42: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

Possible Problems at this Possible Problems at this Stage 1Stage 1

• You have not focused your research question appropriately for the size of the essay or the discipline.

• The direction of your research may be contrary to the guidelines.

• You have not identified resources for answering your research question.

• You have not completed readings or experiments or the gathering of data for your research.

Page 43: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

• You find it difficult to organize, analyze or interpret the material or data required for your research.

• You find the material is insufficient or inconclusive for your research.

• You feel you don’t know enough in the discipline to be able to complete your research.

Possible Problems at this Possible Problems at this Stage 2Stage 2

Page 44: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

If you have not focused your research question If you have not focused your research question appropriately for the size of the essay or the appropriately for the size of the essay or the

discipline…discipline…

• Remember that your research question needs to be addressed in 4,000 words.

• Remember that the essay has to be firmly in one of the disciplines taught in the IB, e.g., English, History, Peace & Conflict Studies; but not Cultural Studies, Mathematical Economics, etc.

• Seek your supervisor’s guidance. • Relate your essay to a specific thing, such as a

novel, country, time, effect, law.

Page 45: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

If If the direction of your research the direction of your research is contrary to the guidelines…is contrary to the guidelines…

• Check carefully from the Extended Essay Guide what the criteria for your essay are.

• Refocus the question and start again. (It may be too late to do this, so…)

• Complete the essay as you have started to the best of your ability, and hope for the best!

• Remember that NO ESSAY MEANS NO IB DIPLOMA.

Page 46: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

If you have not identified all If you have not identified all necessary resources…necessary resources…

• Tell your supervisor, and ask for advice. • Seek help from the librarian to find various

sources of information and/or ideas. • Find people or institutions outside school

that may be able to help you, and approach them.

Page 47: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

If you have not completed If you have not completed readings or gathering data…readings or gathering data…

• Submit a second draft on the basis of what is available, and try to improve in the third draft.

OR• Complete the readings or data collection

in time for your second draft.

Page 48: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

If you find it difficult to organize, analyze or If you find it difficult to organize, analyze or interpret the material or data required for interpret the material or data required for

your research…your research…

• Seek your supervisor’s advice.• Consider whether you need to re-word or

re-think your research question. • Look for theoretical frameworks or tools

in your discipline that can help you analyze or interpret the material you have available.

Page 49: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

If you find the material is If you find the material is inconclusive for your research…inconclusive for your research…

• Speak to your supervisor.• Re-examine the material and see whether you

are missing something.• Re-examine the theoretical “spectacles” with

which you are viewing the material.• Examine why it is inconclusive as part of the

analysis and discussion in your essay.

Page 50: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

If you feel you don’t know enough in If you feel you don’t know enough in the discipline to be able to complete the discipline to be able to complete

your research…your research…• Seek help from your supervisor to find out what ideas,

concepts, frameworks, tools or techniques will help you address the research question.

• Read more in the discipline in which you are doing the research.

• Seek help from professors or graduate students at universities to teach you what you need to know. (Your supervisor will probably not teach you, but may help you teach yourself. )

Page 51: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

TIPS AND PITSTIPS AND PITS

• Tips: – Make sure your question is narrowly focused.– It helps to exceed by about 20-30% the word limit in

the first few drafts, and cut it back to the maximum of 4,000 for the final.

– Keep assessing each draft of your essay against the General and Subject Criteria in the Extended Essay Guide, or ask your supervisor to do so.

– Record ALL sources that you consult and use, and cite them carefully.

Page 52: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

TIPS AND PITSTIPS AND PITS

• More Tips:– Keep a Research Diary or Journal or Notebook,

especially a pocket-sized one that you can carry about and record any ideas that occur to you anywhere.

– Frequently draw spider diagrams to get the bigger picture, and make links that you know of, and look for other possible links that you may have missed.

– Make sure that you present, analyze and interpret data – not just present them!

– Use the technical vocabulary and concepts of the discipline in which you are working - don’t write like a journalist.

Page 53: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

TIPS AND PITSTIPS AND PITS

• STILL more tips:– Remember that if you give up on the essay, you

still need to hand in a Yearly Project, and you disqualify yourself from the IB Diploma. So…

– Complete the essay as best you can, even if you run into problems. That way you will have learnt something valuable!

– Write the Introduction LAST, so that you can give the reader a clear statement of the research question, and how you have addressed it (a “roadmap” of the essay).

Page 54: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

TIPS AND PITSTIPS AND PITS

• Pitfalls: – Don’t neglect to refer to BOTH sections of your

Extended Essay Guide FREQUENTLY. – DON’T leave everything till the last. The deadlines for

drafts are there to help you pace your work. They are not a monument to my alleged sadism!

– Do NOT rely entirely or mostly on web based resources because of they often tend to be unreliable.

Page 55: THE IB EXTENDED ESSAY Problems of supervision and How to help the student

TIPS AND PITSTIPS AND PITS• MORE Pitfalls

KEEP BACK-UPS (note the KEEP BACK-UPS (note the plural) OF ALL YOUR WORK.plural) OF ALL YOUR WORK. You will be surprised how well your You will be surprised how well your computer knows when to crash. computer knows when to crash.

BEWARE OF PLAGIARISMBEWARE OF PLAGIARISM (especially the unintentional kind)! (especially the unintentional kind)! The consequences are The consequences are UNPLEASANTUNPLEASANT. .