Extended Essay Guide 2021-22 - UWC Robert Bosch College - "Research is formalized curiosity. It is poking and prying with a purpose." - Index of
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UWC Robert Bosch College
Extended Essay Guide
2021-22
“Research is formalized
curiosity. It is poking and
prying with a purpose.”
… Zora Neale Hurston
(American writer and
anthropologist, 1891-1960)
This booklet belongs to:
Student name:
Supervisor:
Subject:
Table of contents
What is the Extended Essay? And why do I write it? 3
Subjects choices 3
The World Studies EE 3
Expectations and responsibilities 4
Timeline 2021-22 5
The “Fast track” option 6
Examples of Extended Essays 6
Research, planning, and writing 6
Planning 7
Developing and focusing your research question 7
Databases 8
Search techniques 8
Presentation 9
Basic structure of the EE 9
Formatting 9
Writing 9
Note-taking 10
Paraphrasing, summarizing and quoting 10
Citations, references, and bibliographies 11
Images, charts and tables 11
Clearing copyright 11
Assessment and criteria 12
General assessment criteria for the EE 12
Subject-specific criteria 12
The diploma points matrix 12
Reflection 13
Researcher reflection space 13
Writing successful reflections 14
Academic honesty and plagiarism 15
Academic honesty 15
Plagiarism 15
IB guidelines for research and fieldwork 15
Final presentation checklist 16
2
What is the Extended Essay? And why do you write it?
In brief, the Extended Essay (EE) is …
• an in-depth study of a topic within an IB subject that is of special interest to you,
• an academic essay of max. 4,000 words accompanied by formal reflection,
• an opportunity to pursue independent research and intellectual discovery,
• an opportunity to develop academic research & writing skills, creativity & critical thinking,
• part of the IB ‘core’ and a mandatory part of the IB diploma,
• supervised by a teacher supervisor (3-5 hours),
• externally assessed.
The EE, together with TOK, can contribute up to 3 bonus points, and failing the EE is a failing condition
for the whole IB diploma. There are many reasons why it is worthwhile to invest yourself in writing the
best EE you can. Some are simply about practical necessities others about enthusiasm and
perseverance.
Everything you need to know is documented in the IB’s complete Guide to the Extended Essay at
https://ibpublishing.ibo.org/extendedessay/apps/dpapp/index.html?doc=d_0_eeyyy_gui_1602_1_e&p
art=1&chapter=1 If you are asked for credentials, just click OK.
Subjects choices
You can write an EE in all subjects offered at UWC Robert Bosch College, and it is recommended that
you write in a subject that you are taking. You can also write a World Studies essay - see more below.
Subjects available are: English A, German A, French A, Spanish A, and Arabic A - English B, German B,
French B - Economics, History, Anthropology, Geography; Global politics - Chemistry, Biology,
Environmental systems & societies – Mathematics - Visual arts, Theatre.
In addition, and only after evaluation, we can offer supervision for EEs in World religions, Political
philosophy, and Sports, exercise & health sciences.
You cannot write an EE in Self-taught languages, Ab Initio languages, Theory of Knowledge.
The World Studies EE
A World studies EE offers students the opportunity to make an in-depth, interdisciplinary study of an
issue of contemporary global significance using a local example. It is strongly recommended that
students are taking at least one of the subjects chosen for their essay.
Combining two or more subjects, students can choose to explore a topic under one of the following
global themes: Conflict, peace and security -- Culture, language and identity -- Environmental and/or
economic sustainability -- Equality and inequality -- Health and development -- Science, technology and
society.
For detailed information, review the IB EE Guide at https://ibpublishing.ibo.org/extendedessay/apps/dpapp/tsm.html?
doc=d_0_eeyyy_gui_1602_1_e&part=4&chapter=1&query=world%20studies#N1_3_7_2_6_3_2.
3Expectations and responsibilities
Students are required to …
• choose a topic in a subject that is available at RBC - and that you are enthusiastic about.
• work independently to produce an authentic piece of research.
• read and understand the subject-specific requirements for the subject in which you intend to
complete your EE, including the interpretation of the assessment criteria.
• understand concepts related to academic honesty, including plagiarism and collusion (p. 15).
• acknowledge all sources of information and ideas using one citation style consistently.
• observe all regulations with regard to the EE including the IB’s ethical guidelines (see p. 15).
• plan a schedule for both the researching and writing of your EE including extra time for delays
and unforeseen problems.
• plan for how, when and where to find material and to design and conduct experiments.
• attend the 3 mandatory reflection sessions and 2 check-in sessions with your supervisor.
• record the mandatory 3 reflections in W4. These will be submitted in the Reflections on
planning and progress form (RPPF) as assessment of criterion E (engagement) (see p. 13).
• meet all deadlines and respect your supervisor’s time.
• check and proofread the final version of your EE.
• not spend more than the recommended 40 hours in total on your EE.
Find more information at https://ibpublishing.ibo.org/extendedessay/apps/dpapp/guide.html?
doc=d_0_eeyyy_gui_1602_1_e&part=3&chapter=2§ion=4.
Supervisors are required to …
• undertake 3 mandatory reflection sessions with each student they are supervising.
• approve each student reflection on W4 and provide a supervisory commentary on W4 at the
end of the process.
• provide students with advice and guidance in the skills of undertaking research.
• encourage and support students throughout the research and writing of the EE.
• discuss the choice of topic with each student and help formulate a well-focused research
question which is suitable to the subject of registration.
• ensure that the chosen research question satisfies legal and ethical standards with regard to
health, safety, confidentiality, human rights, animal welfare, and environmental issues.
• become familiar with the regulations governing the EE and the assessment criteria and give
copies of these to students.
• monitor the progress to offer guidance and to ensure that the EE is the student’s own work.
• read and comment on one draft only of the EE (but to not edit the draft); this should take place
after the second reflection session, but before the final reflection session, the Viva Voce.
• ensure that the final version of the EE is handed in before the final reflection session 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.
• not spend more than 3-5 hours with each student including the time spent on the three
mandatory reflection sessions.
Find more information at https://ibpublishing.ibo.org/extendedessay/apps/dpapp/guide.html?
doc=d_0_eeyyy_gui_1602_1_e&part=3&chapter=2§ion=3 .
4A
C
T
Timeline 2021-22 I
O
N
Note: Attendance of the workshops and your supervisor meetings is mandatory!
Date Event or deadline
Workshop 1: Introduction to the EE - Subjects, assessment
Thurs 14 Jan (postponed from December)
& criteria, timeline, and expectations with Y2 testimonials
December & - Subject teachers introduce EE subject specifics in classes
Ask, listen, and learn
January - Students discuss potential topics with subject teachers
Workshop 2: EE proposal, research question – the proposal,
Thurs 28 Jan Attend the workshop
developing an RQ; speed-dating with subject teachers
4 Feb deadline EE proposal due Submit your proposal
Until 15 Feb EEs get assigned to supervisors Check on W4
to be scheduled Workshops on research skills and databases
Thurs 25 Feb Subject group meetings: subject-specific expectations,
Attend the meetings
criteria, and methodology
Mon 15 Mar & First reflection meeting: refine research question if Prepare for the meeting
Thurs 18 Mar appropriate; create a work plan Submit your reflection on W4
Research, planning & drafting (student and supervisor to set
individual deadlines to structure this time); Planning and
Do your research & reading
Mar & Apr conducting experiments for science EEs
Organize your experiments
Introductions to the Freiburg university library (UB)
Research your topic, take home books (voluntary)
Fri 26 Mar EE late-night in the library (voluntary) Voluntary work time
Fri 16 Apr EE late-night in the library (voluntary) Voluntary work time
19 Apr deadline Outline with annotated bibliography and work plan due Submit to W4
Research, planning & drafting (student and supervisor to set
May individual deadlines to structure this time); Planning and Work on your EE
conducting experiments for science EEs
to be scheduled Workshops on writing and using sources
Check-in session 1: essay writing, structure & clarity, final
Tues 8 June Meet with your supervisor
focused research question; feedback on outline; work plan
Date to be set for Second reflection meeting (can also be scheduled flexibly Prepare for the meeting
dis-orientation incl. after the summer) Submit your reflection on W4
Students complete EE Draft; write; gather data, conduct Write your EE
Summer
interviews, etc. Check in with your supervisor
Students submit a pre-draft to their supervisor at the end of the summer break and are then expected to return
with a full EE Draft to College. The second reflection needs to be done at this time latest.
Orientation Workshop on using TurnItIn; Workshops on citations & bibliographies
late Aug/early Sept Deadline: Submission of EE Draft with originality report (TurnItIn) Submit your EE Draft & report
late Sept Supervisor feedback on EE Draft due Work on feedback
followed by Check-in session 2: final feedback on changes Meet with your supervisor
October Final changes, final formatting, final citations Revise and polish your EE
to be scheduled EE late-night in the library (voluntary) Voluntary work time
late Oct Deadline: Final submission of EE with originality report (TurnItIn) Submit your Final EE
early Nov Final reflection meeting with Viva Voce Prepare meeting & submit reflection
mid Nov Deadline: Final reflections on W4
Celebrate
5The “Fast track” option
This year, we are offering the option of writing the EE on a ‘fast track’. This means that a student writes
their EE on an accelerated timeline. This is a new option and a trial.
“Fast track” will be offered under the following circumstances only:
• The student proactively applies for it as part of the proposal,
• a qualified supervisor agrees to supervising the student,
• and together, student and supervisor develop and submit a feasible individual work plan
• which the Director of Studies approves.
The accelerated timeline requires the following:
o submission of the EE Draft before the summer break,
o supervisor feedback given early during the summer break (June/July),
o submission of the final EE in August before returning to campus,
o concluding the process with the third reflection ideally before classes start in September.
Examples of Extended Essays
It is helpful to review past EEs for ideas and guidance.
Collections of EEs written at RBC marked A and B between 2016 and 2020 can be found in print in the
library and online at https://uwcrbc-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/caroline_mavergames
_uwcrobertboschcollege_de/EjBPlH8bKPBLgn1jMMP6eXgBezX7TsNLMYcoTu76o2R_Fg?e=YCLFBt.
A register of past EE topics at RBC (all grades) ca be found at https://uwcrbc-
my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/caroline_mavergames_uwcrobertboschcollege_de/EjBPlH8bKPBLgn
1jMMP6eXgBezX7TsNLMYcoTu76o2R_Fg?e=YCLFBt.
Further examples of authentic EEs can be found on the IB EE website at https://ibpublishing.ibo.org/
extendedessay/apps/dpapp/assessment.html?doc=d_0_eeyyy_gui_1602_1_e&part=1&chapter=1
And take some time to talk to your second-years about their experiences writing the EE.
Research, planning, and writing
Here are some of the most frequent recommendations for writing a successful EE given by EE
examiners:
• A well-defined and narrow research question (RQ) is crucial.
• Choose a topic that you are interested in and enthusiastic about.
• Carefully read both sets of criteria - the general and the subject-specific criteria.
• Think of the structure of your essay before you write and prepare a work plan to help yourself
move along.
• Start early and stick to your deadlines.
• Research early and get support if you need it. Evaluate your sources critically.
• Record and cite your sources as you go along. Don’t wait until the end.
• Don’t just assemble facts but use them to support your argument.
6• Base your conclusion on your discussion and acknowledge any unsolved questions.
• Keep a detailed journal (a paper or virtual Research reflection space) to help yourself preparing
the reflection meetings and writing your reflections.
Planning
In addition to developing a focused and manageable research question, it is important that you make a
work plan around the given deadlines and draft an outline of your EE early in the process.
Developing and focusing your research question
Most topics and questions that students start with are too broad to be appropriate EE research
questions. If your topic is too broad, you can only deal with it in a shallow way. However, if your topic is
narrow and focused, you can deal with it in depth (and cover it in 4000 words).
The focus of your topic may shift and change while you are writing your EE. You may discover that you
are still pruning the topic and changing its actual shape and scope. That is normal. You need, however, a
first focus to start with in order to embark on the process of drafting and writing your EE. Your
supervisor will support you with this.
A good EE topic should be interesting, feasible, and acceptable. Interesting means that it should be
original, open-ended, arguable, relevant, and problem-based as well as interesting to you! A topic is
feasible if its scope allows you to treat it within the word limit and the time and resources and
methodology available to you. A topic is acceptable if leads to an essay in a category of a DP subject,
meets the EE requirements for the subject, and meets the ethical and legal requirements of the IB.
Useful phrases for a solid research question
• To what extent/degree...
• How effective is...
• How have the decisions of... affected...
• What is the role and significance of...
• What is the best / cheapest / quickest method for....
• In light of... how can one understand...
• What has been the influence of... on...
• How and to what purpose …
Phrases to avoid include:
• Can you prove...
Example of RQ development from economics
•
1
Is... to blame for...
• Are we better off without...
• What if everyone were to...
• Could....possibly be the most....
• Is it true that ...
• What is the history of ...
[Diagram and text based on Philpot Education Extended
Essay Support site. https://www.philpoteducation.com/
mod/book/view.php?id=1274&chapterid=1768]
7Databases
To become knowledgeable about your topic and to be able to develop and support your own line of
argument, you will need to read widely. Some reading will help you to understand the broader context
of your topic, some will be literature that discusses the individual aspects of your topic specifically.
We subscribe to the literature databases at the College. In those you will find scholarly articles from
books and journals as well as newspaper articles and other material including selected primary sources.
The JSTOR Secondary Schools collection offers access to archived full-text journals and
ebooks in multidisciplinary collections. On campus, access is automatic. For off-campus
access, request a login. www.jstor.org
Britannica is a full online encyclopedia that also includes essential country data, a
dictionary, timelines, and other research tools. On campus, access is automatic
(academic.eb.com). For off campus access, use your College email address at this
URL (academic.eb.com/storeschoolcard?id=uwcrobertboschcollege).
Use Google Scholar at https://scholar.google.de/ to find scholarly articles. If an article
is freely available, you will see a link to the PDF listed.
We also have unlimited access to the online International New York Times
for daily news and archive access (1851-1922 and 1981-present). Access is
available on campus only. No user registration or log in required.
You will also be able to use the collection – of more than 6 million books and other media
including online databases – of the Freiburg University library (UB). Through the UB, we also
have access to the collections of other libraries. Depending on Corona regulations, you might
be able to get your own user card. If not, you can ask your Librarian to pick up material.
Generally, never hesitate to ask your Librarian if you need help locating sources.
Your teachers and supervisor can advise you on subject-specific research sources, and you are
encouraged to review the library website for more research resources.
Search techniques
• Identify your search words: brainstorm the keywords of your topic and its different aspects in
your mind map or outline.
• Consider spelling variations & synonyms, broader & narrower terms: (neighbour OR neighbor)
and (teenager OR adolescent OR youth).
• Use Boolean operators: Narrow a search using AND
(vegans AND vegetarians finds articles discussing both
concepts at the same time) or broaden a search using
OR (vegans OR vegetarians finds articles on either one of the concepts).
• Search phrases using “quotation marks”: merchant of venice searches for the words merchant
and venice and “merchant of venice” searches for that phrase/combination only.
• Use truncation: Shorten search words with * (or another symbol) to find all the variations of
the ending, for example, child* will find child, children and childish.
• Use the advanced search whenever available to better control your search.
8• Use the filters offered by the database to restrict results by language, publication date
or publication type where appropriate.
• Use subject headings: Where available, look at the subject headings assigned to a relevant
source and use them in your search, for example, use Prisons for Jails or Penitentiaries or
Imprisonment.
Presentation
Criterion D: Presentation assesses the extent to which the presentation of your EE follows the standard
format expected for academic writing. It focusses on structure and layout and awards 4 of the total 34
points. Reviewing the below information and following the checklist on the last page of this booklet is
one of the easiest ways to improve your scores.
Basic structure of the EE
The structure of the essay is important as it helps you to organize
the argument and make best use of the evidence collected. There
are six required elements of the final work. The order in which
they are presented here is not necessarily the order in which you
will write them.
1. Title page
2. Contents page
3. Introduction
4. Body of the essay (you will sub-divide this part to organize
your research findings, data, and analysis)
5. Conclusion
6. References/bibliography
The final EE cannot exceed 4,000 words.
Formatting
Given that the extended essay is a formally written research paper, it should strive to maintain a
professional, academic look. Submitting the extended essay in the required format will help set the
tone of the essay and will aid readability for on-screen assessment by examiners. To help achieve this,
the following formatting is suggested:
• font, font size and spacing conducive to on-screen marking,
• page numbering,
• no candidate, supervisor, or school name anywhere in the document,
• the file size must not be more than 10 MB. (Note that the RPPF is uploaded separately and is not part of the
overall file size of the essay.)
Find more information at https://ibpublishing.ibo.org/extendedessay/apps/dpapp/guide.html?
doc=d_0_eeyyy_gui_1602_1_e&part=5&chapter=6&query=formally%20written%20research%20paper#N1_3_6_7_8_3.
This version of the UWC RBC EE Guide created by C. Mavergames, January 2021. Checklist adapted from an example by Ian Dorton, Deputy Chief Examiner for the IBDP and the IB
Documentation Checklist. Sources: Diploma Programme: Extended essay. 2016. IBO, Geneva and International Baccalaureate (UK), Cardiff.
https://ibpublishing.ibo.org/extendedessay/apps/dpapp/index.html?doc=d_0_eeyyy_gui_1602_1_e&part=1&chapter=1. UWCSEA East Campus IB diploma EE information booklet:
graduating 2016. Courtesy of Katie Day, Librarian at UWCSEA East Campus. All information is subject to change.
9Writing
The extended essay should be written in a clear, correct and formal academic style, appropriate to the
subject from which the topic is drawn.
Note-taking
While you are reading, remember to take notes of interesting concepts and ideas that relate to your
research and your sources. Use index cards or a notebook or an online file (your Research reflection
space) to write down the concepts as well as the details of the book, article, or website where you have
found it. This is necessary to link the idea or argument to the source.
Paraphrasing, summarizing and quoting
In your essay, you will be referring to the ideas or concepts from your sources that you are using to
support your argument by either summarizing the main ideas of the text, paraphrasing specific text
parts (expressing them in your own words), or by directly quoting the author. Each time you use
another person’s work you are required to add a citation and to include a reference in the bibliography.
You should paraphrase a source when …
• you use or discuss specific details or arguments in your own words,
• an author’s language needs to be simplified.
• You will paraphrase more than quote!
How to paraphrase
• Completely rewrite the original paragraph using objective language.
• Do not only replace a few of the author’s original words.
• Note the details of the source so you can cite and add it to the bibliography.
Summarizing a source …
• is writing a short overview of the contents of a whole book, chapter or article.
• means putting the source’s main ideas into your own words using objective language.
• is useful in order to support, qualify, or oppose your viewpoints; trace an idea’s development;
provide background information.
How to summarize
• Identify the main ideas of the text.
• List or briefly outline the main ideas and major supporting details.
• Write what the author has said in your own words.
• And, of course, note the details of the source so you can cite and add it to the bibliography.
You should use a direct quote (only) when …
• presenting technical and statistical information,
• making a critical or opposing argument,
• a source has firsthand experience or is an expert,
• analyzing the language of a source,
• the author’s words are memorable and/or unique.
How to quote
• Quotes have to be set in “quotation marks”.
• Quotes within quotes are set in single ‘quotation marks’.
• Ideally, always go to the original source when quoting and avoid ‘quoting a quote’.
• Quotes use signal phrases and verbs such as: According to … As described by … As stated in … In
the words of … … argues … disputes … insists … theorizes.
• Note the details of the source so you can cite and add it to the bibliography.
10Citations, references, and bibliographies
All new research is building on the research conducted before by others. It is therefore crucial that you
acknowledge the work and the ideas of others that you are using in your work by citing them as
sources and listing them in a bibliography. You know that you need to do this if you paraphrased,
summarized, or quoted from a source (see previous section). Failing to do so may be considered
plagiarism and has serious consequences. See p. 14 for more information.
The IB requirements are:
- Students are expected to use a standard style and use it consistently so that credit is given to all
sources used, including sources that have been paraphrased or summarized.
- When writing, students must clearly distinguish (in the body of the text) between their words
and those of others by the use of quotation marks (or other method like indentation) followed
by an appropriate citation that denotes an entry in the bibliography.
- Students are not expected to show faultless expertise in referencing but are expected to
demonstrate that all sources have been acknowledged.
- Students must be advised that any audio-visual material, text, graphs, images and/or data that is
crucial to their work and that is not their own must also attribute the source.
- Regardless of the reference style chosen, the minimum information expected includes: name of
author -- date of publication -- title of source -- page numbers as applicable -- date of access
(electronic sources) -- URL (the web address) or DOI.
For the bibliography, students are to follow the requirements of the citation style they’ve chosen
(min. requirements are summarized on the last page of the Effective citing and referencing document.
The most common citation styles used are MLA, APA, and Chicago. Detailed explanations and helpful
resources are available on the library website and the Purdue (University) OWL website.
Example of an MLA in-text citation (paraphrased)
Therefore, many married women who converted would have to pretend to follow the same faith as
their husband (King 58).
Example for the corresponding MLA reference in the bibliography
King, Jessie G. Pioneer Chinese Christian Women: Gender, Christianity, and Social Mobility. Bethlehem,
PA: Lehigh University Press., 2009.
Images, charts and tables
All images, charts and tables must have a caption that clearly identifies the image (Fig. 1, Fig. 2, etc.).
Those taken from a source must also link to a full reference in the bibliography or in a list of images. For
example:
Figure 2: Net energy production in Germany 2014 (Lacey 114)
Clearing copyright
Check the copyright for any images, videos, charts, sound recordings, etc. that you are using. For some
it will be enough to quote the source, for some you might need to get permission to use them. Either
way, add the sources to a caption and add an entry in the bibliography if needed.
11Assessment and criteria
EEs are examined by external IB examiners and are moderated by a senior IB examiner.
General assessment criteria for the EE
The number of criteria for the EE is five. Of the five criteria, four (A-D) are applied to the essay itself and
one to the reflection in the RPPF (E). The generic assessment criteria are used with subject-specific
interpretations. The five general assessment criteria (A-E) for the EE are as below. The total number of
marks available is 34.
Find more detailed information at https://ibpublishing.ibo.org/extendedessay/apps/dpapp/guide.html?
doc=d_0_eeyyy_gui_1602_1_e&part=6&chapter=6§ion=1.
Subject-specific criteria
In addition to the general criteria, you need to pay close attention to the subject-specific criteria which
are available in the IB EE Guide at https://ibpublishing.ibo.org/extendedessay/apps/dpapp/guidance.
html?doc=d_0_eeyyy_gui_1602_1_e .
To check whether you have addressed the expectations within your essay, review the checklist in the
IB EE Guide at https://ibpublishing.ibo.org/extendedessay/apps/dpapp/tsm.html?
doc=d_0_eeyyy_gui_1602_1_e&part=5&chapter=2.
The diploma points matrix
The EE contributes to the overall diploma score
through an award of points in conjunction with Theory
of knowledge (TOK). A maximum of three points are
awarded according to a student’s combined
performance in both the EE and TOK. The number of
points awarded is determined by the combination of
the performance levels achieved by the student in both
the EE and TOK according to the matrix. An E mark is a
failing grade for the EE and therefore means that a
student also fails the IB diploma.
12Reflection
In the EE, your reflection is assessed under Criterion E: Engagement with up to 6 marks and submitted
through the Reflections on planning and progress form (RPPF). This form is a mandatory component of
the EE and acts as a record in supporting the authenticity of your work. An RPPF that is blank,
unsubmitted, or written in a language other than that of the essay will score a 0 for criterion E.
The reflection process is as follows: Example of the student EE interface on W4
• You meet your supervisor for three reflection sessions.
• You write your formal reflection during or immediately
after each session and submit it to W4.
• Your supervisor approves your reflection or rejects it for
further edits on W4.
• Your supervisor adds their supervisor comments after the
third and last reflection meeting.
• The RPPF is completed by the EE Coordinator with the
information on W4 and submitted to the IB with the EE.
The three written reflections combined must not exceed 500
words. It is recommended to use approx. 150 words for the first reflection, 150 for the second and 200
for the third reflection. Your three written reflections follow on from the three sessions with your
supervisor.
• In your first reflection session, you will focus on your initial ideas and your motivation, you will plan
and review your reading and research, refine your research question (if appropriate), and make a
work plan to help you manage the process.
• The second (interim) reflection session takes place once a significant amount of your research has
been done, after you have submitted an outline of your essay along with an annotated bibliography
and a work plan. The expectations for the outline will vary by subject, and the session might take
place before or after the summer. Both will be communicated by your supervisor.
•
• The third (final) reflection session will be in the form of a Viva Voce (a short interview) once you
have completed and submitted your final EE.
More information on at https://ibpublishing.ibo.org/extendedessay/apps/dpapp/guide.html?
doc=d_0_eeyyy_gui_1602_1_e&part=4&chapter=4.
Researcher reflection space
The IB strongly recommends that students maintain a Researcher Reflection Space (RRS) to
document the process of writing their EE. This ‘space’ can be a paper journal, an online folder, or a
similar tool. It serves as the central place for students to document their findings, questions, and
thoughts, demonstrate their planning, discuss what they are learning, and evaluate their progress,
and as such supports the process of writing the EE and helps prepare for the reflection meeting.
The evidence found in an RSS includes annotated bibliographic references, articles and text parts,
mind maps, doodles, timelines, notes from brainstorming, RQ development, drawings,
calculations, sketches of illustrations and tables, examples of data, timelines, as well as drafts of
the work plan and outline.
More on how to reflect throughout the research process at https://ibpublishing.ibo.org/
extendedessay/apps/dpapp/tsm.html?doc=d_0_eeyyy_gui_1602_1_e&part=3&chapter=3§ion=8.
13Writing successful reflections
While there are specific questions that you should address in your reflections, you need to avoid for the
reflection to read like a checklist. Instead, the goal is for you to step back and reflect on your learning,
engagement, and progress at each stage as it relates to your individual experience with your own
topic. Avoid giving a narration or a description of your process. Instead, express how each learning
moment affected you and what you took away from it. Using your RRS to reflect throughout the
process will help you do this successfully.
The examiner is looking for your evidence of your personal engagement and intellectual initiative
which you can show by: explaining how new learning relates to previous learning or experiences;
identifying key moments of learning, discovery, or setbacks; explaining inventive research approaches;
showing awareness of your personal strengths and obstacles and supporting these by examples.
Practically speaking, if the same sentence could appear in someone else’s reflection, then it is probably
too general or superficial, and you need to include details or explanations to make it “your own”.
For example:
Generic: “I found it difficult to move from description to analysis and to challenge my own ideas.”
Specific: “A less successful aspect was the inadequate use of secondary sources to reenforce ideas in my
primary texts. As I was writing the essay, I realized that I leaned towards conformation bias based on
me previous experience and perceptions of the topic.”
Generic: “I decided to re-organize my essay to make my ideas clearer.”
Specific: “Writing my initial outline, I realized my structure didn’t adequately reflect the goals of the
essay. There was too much comparison between the parties rather than analysis of appeal to values, so I
switched the structure to focus on each party individually, leaving a small section for comparison.”
Generic: “I was not able to access the data I needed, so I changed my research focus.”
Specific: “… even after contacting the authorities I could not access the data … I had to adjust my essay
to development economics … Applying theory to the Palestinian case is fascinating because of the
challenges … such as a lack of explanation of the research methodology of the household surveys used.”
In your written 1st reflection, In your written 2nd reflection, In your written final reflection,
focus on answering the following focus on answering the following focus on answering the following
questions: questions: questions:
1) Why did you choose this topic? 1) What difficulties did you face in 1) What were the things that
What is the question you want to your research and planning? worked? 2) What would you do
answer? Establish your own differently now if you were to write
2) What actions did you take to
interest and involvement with the the same essay? Reflecting on the
resolve or overcome these? Focus
topic and why it is important to overall process and experience,
here on logistical issues relating to
you. describe choices you made that
your methodology, your research,
were successful and choices that
2) How did you come up with the your sources, your arguments, or
were less successful.
research question? Include your data. Explain the approaches
information on why this inquiry and strategies that you used to 3) What did you learn about
matters and how it is academically resolve the problems. yourself? Describe which of the
important in the subject that you required skills you already had and
3) Do you have a clear idea of how
are writing in. which you needed to develop and
you will build your argument?
what you discovered about yourself
4) Do you have sufficient as a researcher.
(re)sources? If not, what will you do
4) What did you learn about the
about this? Explain how you are
topic? Describe the insights you
planning to structure your
have gained about the topic, about
argument and essay and identify
academic research and writing.
sources or data that you still need.
14Academic honesty and plagiarism
Academic honesty
From the UWC Robert Bosch College Honesty and Integrity Policy (November 2018):
“UWC views academic honesty as part of the integrity of life-long learners. In addition, the IB has clear
expectations on academic honesty … In a UWC context, integrity is the concept of consistency of actions,
values, methods, measures, principles, expectations, and outcomes. …
Integrity is closely related to personal accountability: the principle that academic and non-academic
work presented under someone’s name is indeed the authentic work of that person, and that a
person identifies those elements that have been inspired by the work of others.
Using the work of others to inform and develop one’s own work is of course encouraged, but ideas and
data inspired or collected by others should always be explicitly acknowledged through referencing
and footnoting. This ensures that a person can be held personally accountable for the work they do and
the example they set.”
Plagiarism
Representing someone else’s ideas or work as your own - whether accidentally or intentionally - is
considered plagiarism, which is an academic crime and can lead to failing the IB. In the IB, “plagiarism
is defined as the representation, intentionally or unwittingly, of the ideas, words or work of another
person without proper, clear and explicit acknowledgment. The use of translated materials, unless
indicated and acknowledged, is also considered plagiarism.”
The IB states that “[if] students use the work or ideas of another person, they must acknowledge the
source using a standard style of referencing in a consistent manner. A student’s failure to acknowledge
a source will be investigated by the IB as a potential breach of regulations that may result in a penalty
imposed by the IB final award committee. […]”
To prevent unintentional plagiarism, it is crucial that students learn and apply the methods of citing
and referencing their sources in in their EE and other academic work as explained in the section on
“Citations, references, and bibliographies” on p. 11. In addition, we check both the EE Draft and the EE
Final submission for similarities with existing papers and publications on TurnItIn, an online tool.
More information at https://ibpublishing.ibo.org/extendedessay/apps/dpapp/guide.html?
doc=d_0_eeyyy_gui_1602_1_e&part=1&chapter=9 and https://ibpublishing.ibo.org/extendedessay/apps/dpapp/tsm.html?
doc=d_0_eeyyy_gui_1602_1_e&part=3&chapter=2&query=animal%20experimentation#N1_3_7_2_5_4_11_4_3.
IB guidelines for research and fieldwork
Students must also be familiar with and adhere to the following IB guidelines:
• Ethical guidelines for extended essays research and fieldwork - PDF available at
https://resources.ibo.org/dp/resource/11162-occ-file-d_0_eeyyy_sup_1105_1_e?lang=en
• Guidelines for the use of animals in IB World Schools - PDF available at
https://resources.ibo.org/dp/topic/Guidelines-for-the-use-of-animals/resource/11162-33696/Final presentation checklist
Criterion D: Presentation assesses the extent to which the presentation of your EE follows the standard format expected for academic
writing. It focusses on structure and layout and awards 4 of the total 34 points. Following this checklist is one of the easiest ways to
improve your scores. It is based on the IB EE Guide at https://ibpublishing.ibo.org/extendedessay/apps/dpapp/guide.html?
doc=d_0_eeyyy_gui_1602_1_e&part=5&chapter=6&query=formally%20written%20research%20paper#N1_3_6_7_8_3
Presentation
Is the essay within 4,000 words? The word count includes: introduction, main body, conclusion,
quotations, and footnotes that are not references. The word count does not include: contents page;
1
maps, charts, diagrams, tables, graphs, and illustrations; equations, formulas, and calculations; citations
and bibliography; headers; appendices; acknowledgments, and RPPF.
Does your title page include only and all of the following: Title of the essay; research question; subject
2 for which it was registered (if it is a language essay also state which category it falls into; if a world studies essay, also state
the theme and the two subjects utilized); and word count?
3 Is there a table of contents page? Are all section headers formatted? Are all pages numbered?
Is the essay formatted in a clean, simple and consistent overall style? Use a readable 12-point font,
4
one-inch margins, double-spaced lines, black & white font (conducive to on-screen marking).
Are all diagrams, charts, graphs and images indexed and labelled and their sources referenced where
5
necessary?
Is all the material presented in the appendices relevant and necessary? (Note: the examiner is not
6
required to read appendices.)
7 Have you proofread the text for spelling or grammar errors?
Did you check that your name and candidate number or the school name are not on the cover page or
8
anywhere else in the Essay?
9 Is the file size below 10 MB?
Citations & references
Wherever you have paraphrased or summarized someone else’s thoughts and ideas in your own words,
A
have you cited the author?
Wherever you have quoted someone else’ exact words, have you put “quotation marks” around the
B
quote and cited the author?
Do all your images have a numbered caption (e.g., Fig. 1)? And have you included full references for all
C
borrowed images, tables graphs, maps, etc.?
If you’re using MLA have you included the page number for print sources (incl. print material that was
D
digitally accessed)?
For internet sources, have you included both the date on which the material was posted/published and
E
the date you have last accessed it?
F For internet sources, have you included the URL (http://) or the DOI?
G Are all your in-text citations formatted consistently and correctly according to the style chosen?
Is there a reference in your bibliography for every in-text citation? Is the citation a direct link to the first
H
word of the reference?
Are the references in your bibliography formatted consistently and correctly (according to the citation
I style chosen)? Does the bibliography specify author(s), title, date of publication and publisher for each
reference?
J Is your list of references (Works cited or Bibliography) in alphabetical order (not numbered)?
K Does your bibliography include all and only the works you have consulted?
16You can also read
