Extended Essay

A Research QuestionHow to get a research questionDo you want to know the answerDoes it have to be new?DifficultiesWhat makes a good research questionImportance of good research question

B IntroductionStraight to the pointNo life storiesWhat makes the research interestingIs the research worth doingThink about the reader / examiner

C InvestigationWhat resources do you have, library, lab,

internetCan you find anything out about your topic?Is it a good research question?

D KnowledgeDoes the student understand/ is capable of

understanding the topic?Better to write about what you knowWhy write about something not in the

course?Research question

E Reasoned ArgumentIs it readable?What happens when you spend to long (the 1

year essay)Keep the research question in focusResearch question > Intro > Theory >

Experiment > Discussion > Conclusion

F Application of skillsApply skills from IA and course to the

problem at handUse statistical analysis where appropriateTheoretical model expected

G Use of appropriate languageA force is a force, energy is energy.Correct mathematical derivations

H ConclusionRelated to results of experiment connected

method to answer research question

I Formal PresentationNever admit to 4001 wordsLearn to use wordLearn to paint

J AbstractSimply a brief summary to be done at the end

even though it’s at the beginning

K Holistic JudgementIs it any good?

10 Tips for students1. Make sure you have a good research question.2. Don't be too ambitious.3. Make a plan.4. If you have no idea how you will do the practical then

think of another research question.5. If you can't find any reference to your topic on the net or

in the library then think again.6. limit the time you spend on the practical, after 20 hours

abandon it.7. Its much easier to write a coherent essay if its written in

one go.8. Keep a running bibliography9. Know what the assessment criteria say.10. Stick to the research question throughout.

10 Tips for Supervisors1. Try to tease the topic out from the student rather than handing it to

them on a plate.2. Help the student see their limitations.3. Avoid any experiments that can't be done in the lab or at home.4. If you can't think of how the student can write an essay on the topic

then advise against it.5. If a student is going to work during the holiday be prepared to

answer queries.6. Its ok to suggest ways of solving problems.7. Make sure you are familiar with the assessment criteria8. Help the student keep things in perspective, it's an essay not a thesis.9. Remember it's the students essay not yours, don't get too personally

attached to it.10. When the time is up take the essay from the student even if you think

they could make it better.