This is the html version of the file http://www.rism.ac.th/class/hs/ib/ee%20guidelines.pdf.
G o o g l e automatically generates html versions of documents as we crawl the web.
To link to or bookmark this page, use the following url: http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:ubAnWX21AC8C:www.rism.ac.th/class/hs/ib/ee%2520guidelines.pdf+IB-+extended+essay+booklet&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

Google is not affiliated with the authors of this page nor responsible for its content.

These search terms have been highlighted:  ib  extended  essay 
These terms only appear in links pointing to this page: booklet 

Page 1

Class of 2004
R
U
A
M
R
U
D
EE
INTERNATIONAL
SCHOOL
Extended Essay
Guidelines

Page 2
The Extended Essay ...
in brief
¸
A 4000 word study of a topic of special interest
¸
Provides you with the opportunity to engage in independent research while
having a teacher as an advisor
¸
It may be written in one of 60 subjects, including languages.
¸
It is a mandatory component of the IB diploma.
¸
Essays will be assessed externally.
¸
With TOK, it can contribute up to 3 bonus points.
¸
Facilitates the transition from school to university.
The Nature of the Extended Essay
The extended essay is an in-depth study of a topic chosen from one of the
subjects offered in the IB program. Its purpose is to acquaint you with the kind
of independent research and writing skills expected by universities. Emphasis is
placed on the process of engaging in personal research, on the communication
of ideas and information in a logical and coherent manner, and on the overall
presentation of the extended essay in compliance with these guidelines.
List of Subjects
Your extended essay topic must fall under one of the subjects listed below.
You
do not need to be studying this subject in your diploma.
Art/Design
Biology
Business & Organization
Chemistry
Classical Languages
Computer Science
Design Technology
Economics
Environmental Systems
Geography
History
Mathematics
Music
Peace & Conflict Studies Philosophy
Physics
Politics
Psychology
Social Anthropology
Theatre Arts
World Religion
You can also write an extended essay for literature in English or a foreign
language. Your subject would be English or French, Spanish etc.
You are not allowed to submit a group 2 extended essay in a language which
they are offering as a language A1 in their diploma.
Check out past students essays in the library!

Page 3
Choice of Topic
The topic is a particular area of a chosen subject. You should choose a topic
that is both interesting and challenging to you. If possible, the topic should also
relate to your surroundings and or cultural background. The topic chosen should
be limited in scope and sufficiently narrow to allow you to examine an issue in
depth. It should present you with the opportunity to collect or generate
information and/or data for analysis and evaluation. This is why many students
choose a science as their subject - they can run their own experiment and get
their own results. You are not expected to make a contribution to knowledge.
For example, if you choose mathematics as your subject, you are not expected
to invent a new theorem
.
A broad topic is unlikely to result in a successful extended essay. A topic which
requires no personal research and/or requires an essentially narrative or
descriptive approach is not suitable for an extended essay.
The Research Question
When an appropriate topic has been chosen, you should narrow the focus of the
investigation and formulate a specific research question. For many extended
essays this will be phrased in the form of a question, but alternatives such as
launching the investigation with a hypothesis are acceptable. By frequently
referring to the research question, you should be able to maintain the purpose
and orientation of the investigation.
Examples of inappropriate topics with an appropriate topic
¸
"
Vitamin C levels in lime juice
" versus "
An experimental study to determine
if vitamin C levels decrease in lime juice under simulated supermarket and
street vendor conditions"
¸
"
e-commerce in Thailand
" versus "
Why then is Siam2You.com still alive and
kicking?"
¸
"
Imaginary Numbers
" versus "
the reality of imaginary numbers- What are
they, do they really exist, where and how did they originate and why do we
need them/"
¸
"
North and South Korea
" versus "
Will unification be achieved as a result of
the process and efforts being made between the two Koreas"

Page 4
Regulations
*

Every IB diploma student must submit an extended essay.
*

Each student will select a teacher to act as an advisor. The chosen teacher
needs to accept the offer and be a teacher relevant to the subject chosen.
*

Extended essays in groups 1 and 2 must to be written in that language. All
others must be written in English.
*

Malpractice, such as plagiarism or collusion, will be dealt with severely.
The Research and writing Process
Research
Writing
Topic
Focus
Search for Sources
Preparatory Reading
Working Outline
Assemble
sources/Materials
Recording info. & data
Research Question
Shaping the Outlines
Basic Outline
Skeleton Outline
Supporting Details
Rough Draft
Title Page
Abstract
Contents
Introduction
Body/Methods/Results
Conclusion
Illustrations
Appendix
Documentation
Revising & Editing
Proofreading
Final Copy

Page 5
Introduction
The introduction should include:
¸
An indication of why the topic chosen is interesting, important or worthy of
study.
¸
Some background information and an attempt to place the topic in
appropriate context.
¸
An indication of whether the topic has been narrowed to a focus of more
manageable proportions.
¸
A clearly and precisely stated research question.
¸
A clear concluding statement of the thesis and argument, i.e. the response to
the research question that will subsequently be developed in the body of the
essay.
Body/Development
The essential feature of the body is a convincing answer to the research
question. The structure and approach will depend on the subject in which the
essay is being undertaken. Some subjects may require sub-headings for major
sections within the main body. Scientific investigations will usually have
separate sections for method and results. In other subjects, sub-headings should
be avoided because they disrupt the flow and unity of an essay.
Conclusion
The requirements of a conclusion are that it
¸
Is clearly stated
¸
Is relevant to the research question being investigated
¸
Is substantiated by the evidence presented
¸
Indicates issues, unresolved questions and new questions that have emerged
from the research.
Organizing the Essay

Page 6
Formal Presentation
The extended essay should be written in a clear, correct and formal style
appropriate to the subject from which the topic is drawn. Use a word processor.
The Length of the Extended Essay
The upper limit is 4000 words and essays should be at least 3500 words. The
upper limit includes the introduction, the body, the conclusion and any
quotations, but does
not
include:
*

the abstract
*

acknowledgements
*

the contents pages
*

maps, charts, diagrams, annotated illustrations and tables
*

the references/bibliography
*

appendices
Essays in excess of 4000 words are subject to penalties and examiners are not
required to read material in excess of the word limit.
Title
The title should provide a clear indication of the focus of the essay. It should be
precise and not necessarily phrased in the form of a question.
Examples:
Title (Geography)
The influence of distance on agricultural land
use patterns in New South Wales, Australia
Research question:
Is there a characteristic pattern in the use of
agricultural land with distance away from
central places in New South Wales?
Title (English A1)
Religious imagery in Wuthering Heights
Research question
What is the nature and function of the religious
imagery used in Wuthering Heights?
Title (Mathematics)
An investigation into polynomial functions
Specific Issue Observations of the characteristics of the
polygonal cycloids obtained by rolling regular
polygons along a straight line

Page 7
Abstract
An abstract not exceeding 300 words must be included. It does not serve as an
introduction but presents a synopsis of the extended essay, and therefore should
be written last.
The minimum requirements for an abstract are to state clearly:
*

the research question being investigated
*

the scope of the investigation
*

the conclusion/s of the essay
It should be placed immediately after the title page.
Contents Page
A contents page must be placed after the abstract and all pages should be
numbered. An index is not required.
Illustrations
Presentation and overall neatness are important, and it is essential that
illustrative material, if included, is well set out and used effectively. Graphs,
diagrams, tables and maps are effective only if they are well labelled and can be
easily read. This must be directly related to the text and acknowledged where
appropriate. The use of photographs and postcards is acceptable only if they are
captioned and/or annotated and are used to illustrate a specific point made in the
extended essay.
References/Bibliography
The direct or indirect use of the words of another person, written , oral or
electronic, must be acknowledged appropriately as must visual material in the
essay, derived from another source. Failure to do this will be viewed as
plagiarism.
The bibliography or list of references should only include those works, such as
books and journals, that have been consulted by you. It is good practice to study
a major style of referencing appropriate to the subject of the essay so that you
can present your references professionally.
Each work consulted, regardless or whether or not it has already been cited as a
reference, must be listed in the bibliography. The bibliography should specify:

Page 8
author/s, title, date and place of publication, and the name of the publisher
following consistently one standard method of listing sources. Possible
examples are:
Peterson, A. D. C.
Schools Across Frontiers: the story of the International Baccalaureate and
the United World College.
La Salle, Illinois: Open Court, 1987
Peterson, A. D. C (1987), Schools Across Frontiers
: the story of the International
Baccalaureate and the United World College.
Open Court : La Salle, Illinois
Appendices
Appendices are not an essential section of the essay and examiners are not
required to read them, so care should be taken to include all information of
direct relevance to the analysis and argument in the main part of the essay.
Unless considered essential, complete list of raw data should not be included in
the extended essay.
The Use of Other Media and Materials
Apart from graphic material, materials in other media may be submitted only as supporting
appendices and should not detract from the written extended essay.
Computers - the use of computers is encouraged where they are appropriate as tools for
analysing data relevant to the subject of the extended essay. Material such as hard copy of
computer output may be included in the original essay, but any associated program should be
referred to or reproduced, if original, only as an appendix.
Videotapes - the use of videotapes as supporting material is not acceptable.
Audiotapes - the use of aidiotapes as supporting material is permissible, but is not
encouraged, and extra merit will not be given for the inclusion of audiotapes in support of an
extended essay. Digital audiotapes are not acceptable.
Specimen materials - specimen materials used in or produced by investigations do not form
part of the extended essay and must not be submitted. Photographic evidence may be
submitted in place of such material.

Page 9
Assessment of Extended Essays
Use of Assessment Criteria
Essays are externally assessed and the maximum score possible is 36. This is
divided into 24 points from General Assessment Criteria and 12 points from
Subject Assessment Criteria
General Assessment Criteria
There are eight general assessment criteria. Foe each, different degrees of
quality are described by a set of achievement levels. These criteria are mainly
concerned with the writing of the abstract and conclusion, the use of
information and data, and the overall presentation.
A
Research Question

Achievement Level
0
The research question (or specific issue to be investigated) is not stated.
1
The research question (or specific issue to be investigated) is stated but
not in a precise manner.
2
The research question (or specific issue to be investigated) is clearly and
precisely stated but it is too broad in scope to be effectively treated within the
word limit.
3
The research question (or specific issue to be investigated) is clearly and
precisely stated and is sharply focused and is therefore susceptible to effective
treatment within the word limit

B

Data Information

Achievement Level

0
The data gathered/generated and/or background information selected is
completely irrelevant to the research.
1
The data gathered/generated and/or background information selected is
largely irrelevant to the research.
2
The data gathered/generated and/or background information selected is
generally relevant to the research.
3
The data gathered/generated and/or background information selected is
directly relevant to the research.

Page 10


C

Analysis/Evaluation

Achievement Level
0
There is no attempt to analyse/evaluate the data/information derived.
1
There is some attempt to analyse the data/information derived, but the
techniques of analysis are inappropriate or incorrectly applied. Where an
evaluation is appropriate, it is subjective with no attempt to recognise
alternative interpretations.
2
The data/information derived has been analysed, but not all techniques
are correctly applied. There may be some attempt to apply inappropriate
techniques.
3
The data/information derived has been analysed using appropriate and
correctly applied techniques. Where an evaluation is appropriate, different
interpretations have been considered.
4
The data/information derived has been systematically and competently
analysed using appropriate and correctly applied techniques.Where an
evaluation is appropriate a range of interpretations have been considered and
their merit appraised.

D

Discussion/Argument
Achievement Level
0
The major part of the discussion/argument is not relevant to the research
question (or specific issue being investigated)
1
The discussion/argument is not relevant to the research question (or
specific issue being investigated)
2
The discussion/argument is consistently relevant to the research question
(or specific issue being investigated) but is not organised.
3
The discussion/argument is consistently relevant to the research question
(or specific issue being investigated) but is difficult to follow owing to the way
it is organised.
4
The discussion/argument is consistently relevant to the research question
(or specific issue being investigated) and is well organised and therefore easy to
follow.


Page 11

E

Conclusion
Achievement Level
0
No attempt has been made to provide a conclusion to the essay.
1
The conclusion is confusing and/or irrelevant to the research question.
2
The conclusion is relevant to the research question but is not sustantiated
by the evidence presented. In cases where it may have been appropriate to do
so, no reference is made to unresolved questions or new questions that have
emerged from the research.
3
The conclusion is clearly stated and is relevant to the research question
and is substantiated by the evidence presented. If appropriate, limited reference
is made to unresolved questions and new questions that have emerged from the
research.
4
The conclusion is clearly stated, is relevant to the research question and
fully substantiated by the evidence presented. If appropriate, the conclusion
clearly indicates unresolved questions and new questions that have emerged
from the research.

F

Abstract
Achievement Level
0
An Abstract is not included
or
the Abstract exceeds the 300 word limit.
1
Within the Abstract, the topic, the research question, the scope of the
investigation and the conclusion(s) reached are not all clearly stated and/or one
or more of these requirements is/are omitted.
2
Within the Abstract, the research question, the scope of the investigation
and the conclusion(s) reached are all clearly stated.

G

Requirements of the Extended
Essay
Achievement Level
0
The essay exceeds 4200 words.
1
The essay is within 4200 words. The student has received a
poor
standard with regard to the overall presentation of the essay; in particular, the
contents references, bibliography and appendix (if included).

Page 12
2
The essay is within 4200 words. The student has received an
adequate
standard with regard to the overall presentation of the essay; in particular, the
contents references, bibliography and appendix (if included).
3
The essay is within 4200 words. The student has received a
good
standard with regard to the overall presentation of the essay; in particular, the
contents references, bibliography and appendix (if included).
*
The essay is within 4200 words. The student has received an
excellent
standard with regard to the overall presentation of the essay; in particular,
the contents references, bibliography and appendix (if included).
Subject Assessment Criteria
Each subject has its own set of assessment criteria with different degrees of
quality being described by a set of achievement levels. These can be found on
the schools IB website.
An extended essay which is inappropriate to the subject
in which it is registered will score zero on the subject assessment criteria.
Overall Assessment
The total score obtained will be used to determine in which of the following
bands the extended essay will be p[laced. This band, in conjunction with the
band for TOK, determines the diploma points awarded for these two
requirements. The band descriptions are:
A
Work of an excellent standard
B
Work of a good standard
C
Work of a satisfactory standard
D
Work of a mediocre standard
E
Work of an elementary standard
The Extended Essay/TOK Points Matrix

Page 13
Theory of Knowledge
Extended
Essay
Excellen
t
A
Good
B
Satisfactory
C
Mediocre
D
Elementary
E
Not
Submitted
Excellen
t
A
3
3
2
2
1
N
Good
B
3
2
1
1
0
N
Satisfactory
C
2
1
1
0
0
N
Mediocre
D
2
1
0
0
0
N
Elementary
E
1
0
0
0
FAIL
N
Not
Submitted
N
N
N
N
N
N
For example, if you score a B for the extended essay and a C for TOK, you will
be awarded1 point out of the three points.

Page 14
Extended Essay Checklist
c/o
http://www.gre.ac.uk
Judge your essay against these criteria:
¸
Is the essay a reasoned argument in which the writer endeavours to persuade a skeptical
reader of the justifiability of the line of argument adopted?
¸
Is there an argument? Is each part of it clear? Is it easy to understand and does it make
sense? (The argument should be clear from the beginning and not tacked on the end)
¸
Does the essay develop logically through a series of arguments or points?
¸
What evidence is used to support arguments (too little, too much, inappropriate)?
¸
Does the essay show evidence of the imaginative use of a variety of sources (précising
one or more source is not adequate)?
¸
Is the essay clear and readable? (Pay attention to grammar and spelling)
¸
Does the essay contain repetitive or irrelevant material?
¸
Has a bibliography of all materials consulted been included?
¸
Are all quotations properly footnoted?
¸
Is a word count been included, and is the essay within limits?
Presentation
: Has the essay been word processed, allowing space-and-a-half between lines
(not single space) and a 12-point font?
Multimedia/Web features of the essay:
*
Is the essay attractively laid out?
*
Is it presented in a readable fashion?
*
Have gimmicks -- bells and whistles -- taken over from functionality and fitness for
purpose?
*
Are graphics used; do they contribute to the overall thrust of the essay; are they
referred to in the text?
*
Are links used to Web sites; are they relevant; are there any dead links?
*
Have any hyperlink pages been created; do they contain relevant additional
information /primary material?
*
Is navigation easy; do you always know where you are?

Page 15
Our Agreements
*

You will read and understand the general guidelines as well as the guidelines
specific to the subject that you have chosen.
*

You will abide by the deadlines overleaf
*

You will understand and abide by the school policy with regard to academic
honesty, and shall cite all references and sources of ideas, quotations, data,
diagrams, illustrations etc.
You will understand that the role of your supervisor will be to:
*

Encourage and support you in your efforts
*

Provide advice of a subject specific nature.
*

Make sure that the work is your own.
*

Complete the supervisor report
You will understand that the role of your supervisor will
not
be to:
*

Get you started and tell you what to do.
*

Give you a research question.
*

Give you the resources
*

Edit your work.
*

Remind you of the deadlines
*

Chase you to be able to read a draft and offer advice

Page 16
Due Dates
It is very important that you keep to this time line and meet with your advisor.
Keep all outlines and drafts of your work and an extra backup disk.
On the following dates, you must submit one copy to your advisor and one copy
to me.
By This Date
You Will Have
Tuesday, October 1
st
, 2002
Decided on a subject, topic, research
question and chosen an advisor
Monday, November 25
th
, 2002
An outline of a plan for your research
and/or experiments
Wednesday, May 7
th
, 2003
Prepared a working outline of your
essay
Tuesday, September 2
nd
, 2003
Completed your first draft
Friday, November 28
th
, 2002
Given your final draft to your
advisor
Friday, January 9
th
, 2004
Two copies of your essay to me
bounded and ready to be sent

Page 17
E X T E N D E D E S S A Y
Name: _________________________
Subject ________________________
Topic __________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
___________________________________________
Research Question _________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
Supervisor's name ________________
Supervisor's signature _____________ Date __________