ib extended-essay incl viva-voce and reflections on planning and progress sept 2016

The IB Extended Essay

The Library, St. Andrew's College

DRAMARAMA?

No, It’s Not Rocket Science!!


Planning and research makes the process a lot easier

What’s The Point Of The Seminar?

Help you understand the EE process Point out some common mistakes Allow you to raise your concerns

Answer your questions – at the end of the

seminar


What is the IB EE?FORMAL, ACADEMIC ESSAY of c. 4,000 words in which something is INVESTIGATED or explored. It is accompanied by a reflection form of no more than 500 words. It takes c. 40 hours work

There is a CONCLUSION

Sources are documented (BIBLIOGRAPHY)

The whole process is PRESENTED (essay)

To gain the IB Diploma you must complete and pass the IB EE

Select an area of research from a DP subject


Benefits of the EE


Independent thinking and working; self-management skills

Learn research skills

Introduction to academic work – analysis and argument

Develop critical thinking skills

Develop essay writing skills

Learn to handle a major assignment

Work on an area you might study at university

Learn to work with a Supervisor – at university you will work with a Tutor

Responsibilities of the Student


Observe the regulations. Read the ASSESSMENT CRITERIA, Subject specific guidelines and IB’s ethical guidelines and policies

Find a Supervisor and liaise regularly with him/her!!! – be proactive

Choose a subject and then a topic that interests you

Think carefully about the Research Question (RQ)

Develop a Researcher’s reflection space (RRS). Attend reflection sessions

Plan how and where you will find information for your essayBIG HINT – Go to the LIBRARY!!

Acknowledge all sources of information

Meet deadlines

IB EE Policies


ALL students must be aware of and have read the relevantpolicies related to ethical guidelines for carrying out researchand those relating to academic honesty

Sciences – animal experimentation policy

Psychology – ethical guidelines for undertaking research

Source: Extended Essay Guide For first teaching 2016 p38

Academic Honesty and Ethical Use of Information guidelinesare on the Library Blog – librarysac.wordpress.com

The Supervisor


Student-Supervisor relationship is very important in the EE process. Spends3-5 hours with each student. This includes the reflection sessions

Helps you plan and undertake your research. It’s an active two-way process

You will have 3 mandatory reflection sessions with your Supervisor

Completion of the Reflections on Planning and Progress Form

Supervisors must sign and date each reflection

Repeated editing/re-drafting by Supervisor is NOT allowed. Supervisor reads and comments on one draft only of the EE. This should take place after the interim reflection session, but before the Viva Voce

If academic misconduct is suspected, Supervisors must report this

Responsibilities of the Supervisor

• The supervisor is required to make a judgment about whether or not to allow you to proceed with the RQ based on whether it meets appropriate legal and ethical standards …

• … for a variety of reasons … the supervisor may advise against pursuing the proposed RQ. In such cases you should follow this advice…


Role of the Librarian• Support you in the development of information

literacy and research skills• Help you select and evaluate information

resources in multiple formats (print/online)• Help you evaluate sources – authenticity, validity and reliability• Teach you about the ethical use of information / plagiarism• Can be a Supervisor


Role of the Librarian

• Available every Wednesday afternoon inthe Library from 2pm-6pm to help you with

your EE research on a one-on-one basis• Make an appointment!!


General Requirements

All student must:

•Provide a logical & coherent rationale for your choice of topic•Review what has already been written on the topic•Formulate a clear RQ•Describe the methods used to investigate the RQ•Generate reasoned interpretations and conclusions based on reading in order to answer the RQ

‘Double-dipping’ is NOT allowed

The Library, St. Andrew's CollegeSource|: Extended Essay Guide p113-4

Reflection in the EE


Reflection


“Emphasis is placed on engagement and reflection on the research process, highlighting the journey the student has made on an intellectual and personal level and how it has changed them as a learner and affected the final essay”.

(Miss Ryan’s emphasis)

Source:Extended Essay Guide For first teaching 2016 p37

Reflections On Planning & Progress


MANDATORY THAT ALL STUDENTS UNDERTAKE 3 REFLECTION SESSIONSWITH THEIR SUPERVISOR

Assessed under Criterion E (Engagement) using the RPP form

Written during the course and completion of the EE

Reflect on your planning and progress (including ‘hiccups’ along the way)

Reflect on your discussions with your supervisor

1st session– focuses on initial ideas and how you plan to do your research2nd session – when a significant amount of research has been completed3rd session – Viva Voce when you have completed and handed in the EE

Each session lasts for 20-30 minutes

RRS 1st Session


Include the following in your first RRS:

1.topic exploration2.possible sources of information3.research methods4.potential RQs

At your first reflection session use the notes you created on the above as the basis for your discussion with your Supervisor

It shows the initial progress you are making in you EE

RRS 2nd Session


Demonstrate to your Supervisor progress made:

-development of your thinking-development of your argument-raise any questions you have

At this stage your RRS may include:

-reactions to readings -progress in the timeline for completion of the EE-possible outline of arguments-setbacks-strategies to overcome these

RRS 3rd Session & Viva Voce


What Does The Interview Involve?


Short interview between Student and Supervisor lasting 10-15 minutes

Takes place at the completion of the IB EE process

It’s a discussion which examines the successes/difficulties in the IB EE process

- Show what you have learned about your topic- Be able to discuss the research process you followed- How has this affected your own learning?- What new questions have you uncovered?

“Most importantly, during the VV the RRS may help to highlight thepersonal significance of the work to the student and ultimatelycontribute to the supervisor’s report” (p57)

Possible Viva Voce Questions


What have you learned from your IB EE?

Why did you choose this subject?

What were the objectives of the project? Were they achieved?

How did you go about doing your research?

What did not work/ you found difficult to accomplish?

If you were to start again, is there anything you would like to change?

What were the best features of your project?

What further research would you liked to have conducted, and why?


MANDATORY REQUIRMENT FROM MAY 2018

Source: www.ibo.org

RPP – Role of the Student


Develop a Researcher’s reflection space that will facilitate planningand preparation for reflection sessions

Record reflections on what you are reading, writing and thinking

Helps you develop critical and evaluative thinking skills

Tracks the evolution of thought as it relates to the development of anArgument

Insights/information recorded in the RRS are expected to form the basisfor and find direct expression in the EE, reflection sessions and RRS forms.*

*Source: Extended Essay Guide Feb 2016 pp56-57

Researchers Reflection Space - RRS


In discussions with supervisors students will be able to:

demonstrate planningdiscuss what they are learningevaluate their progress

Student reflection in the EE is critical

How have you changed as a learner?

How has the IB EE process affected the completion of your EE?

Students may also have occasional ‘check-in sessions’ with their supervisors. These usually last 10 minutes.

You can use different techniques to reflect – written, images, blogs, mind maps

RPP Form - Comment Section


Following each session students are required to complete the relevant comment section on the form and submit it to their Supervisor

The Supervisor must sign and date the form and after the finalReflection session add their own comment

The form will be submitted to the IB along with your EE

NB – ensure you have a photocopy of ‘Preparation for the …. ReflectionSession’ from the Extended Essay Guide For first teaching 2016

Supervisor’s Report


In assessing Criterion K (holistic judgment) examiners will take into account any information given in the report about intellectual initiative, insight or persistence in the face of difficulties

Check In Sessions

• You are encouraged to meet your supervisor in addition to the formal reflection sessions • ‘Check-Ins’ are occasional 10 minute sessions to discuss

a deadline, a comment made by your Supervisor or access to resources

• They do not form part of the formal reflection process and do not need to be reported on the RPP form


The Extended Essay


NB!!!! - From November 2016


Schools will be required to upload all IB EEs

Candidate name and school name should NOT appear on any of the pages of the EE including the title page

Title Page – title of EE, the RQ, subject, word count only

The Title of your IB EE should NOT be phrased as a RQ

Formatting – font size 12, double spaced, numbered pages

Saved as - .doc .docx .pdf .rtf

File size – no more than 10MB

Diagrams, maps and tables – digitally produced where possible

Source: IBO Coordinator’s Notes Sept 2015; IB EE Guide Feb 2016

NOT To Be Included


An abstract

Candidate details, session number, school and supervisor’s name

Audio-visual material (video recordings and sound clips). Imagesand screen shots can be included

Personal Exploration of the Topic


Topic Areas

All EEs must be selected from the list of available IB subjects

Look at the IB Handbook

Familiarise yourself with the specific requirements for your topic

NB Students who do not study a particular subject (eg History) are STRONGLY ADVISED NOT to do their EE in that subject (eg History)


Formulate A Research Question


“ALL students, regardless of the subject chosen, must frame theirresearch question as a question. A hypothesis or statement ofintent is not acceptable”. (p78)

The RQ


Start formulating your research question (RQ) by following your own interests. What’s your favourite subject ?

Remember, you will spend a lot of time researching and writing your EE. If it does not interest you now, it will certainly become very difficult to write about it later on!!

What is it you would like to know about your topic area or what issue or question would you like to answer through your research?

Choose an area that is capable of research. For example, there is a lot of information available on World War One. However, even the historian Alison Weir found it difficult to find information for her biography of Katherine Swynford, Duchess of Lancaster.

Avoid areas that are ‘over done’ eg WWII or unsuitable eg serial killers

The RQ


Avoid “trivial” or “superficial” EEs – IBO recommendation

Finalise the RQ only after thorough consultation with your supervisor

Source: O’Farrell, F. Extended Essay. IB Prepared. IBO. 2010 p14, 18

One further piece of advice – the more background you have in a subject the better chance you have of writing a good EE

“Choosing to write the extended essay in a subject that is NOTbeing studied as part of the Diploma Programme often leads to lower marks”

IBO Handbook

The RQ (3)


Ask yourself what sort of information will I need to answer my RQ and is this information easily available in the library?

The RQ should be short and clear. It should be jargon free.

These very simple ‘power questions’ are very effective

Who – who did it?

What – what was noteworthy about it? What’s its relevance/importance?

Where – where did it happen? Could it have happened elsewhere?

Why – why did it happen or why did s/he do it?

When – when did it happen? Why didn’t it happen earlier? What factorsprevented it?

The RQ – Things To Avoid


Examiners’ reports mention these should be avoided at all costs.

Students should not work with a research question that is too broad or too vague, too narrow, too difficult or inappropriate.

For example ‘Does Globalisation affect Turkey?’

Limit your variables.

“Was the decline of population growth in Brazil the result of government policies?”

is much easier RQ to understand and for you to answer than

“Was the decline in population growth in Brazil related more to sex education, the distribution of birth control, or resource depletion?”

The RQ (4)


The research question does not need to be ‘set in stone’ from the start.As you read and reflect you will refine your RQ. This is normal.

Ask Miss Ryan for her handout ‘4 characteristics of a good research question’

Formulating a Good RQ


Move from a GENERAL (Broad) Topic to the SPECIFIC (Focused) RQ

Topic – English Topic A Comments

Religion in Literature Waaay too broad!!!

Religion in 19th Century Literature Still too broad

Religion in the works of the Brontes Better. Moving in the right direction

Religion in the works ofCharlotte Bronte

She wrote a lot!

Charlotte Bronte’s views on Religion in Villette and JaneEyre

Almost there

In what way does CB reveal her attitudes to religion in Villette and Jane Eyre?

Uselimitingfactors egdates, personalitiesthemes

Source: IBO

‘Exploding’ Your RQUniv Southampton Video


Thesis Statement


A thesis statement in the Introduction to your EE declares what you intend to prove with your research

A good thesis statement will:-

Propose an arguable point; it takes a stand

Is specific and focused

Provides the examiner with a map to guide him/her through your work

Anticipates and refutes counterarguments

Thesis Statement (2)


This essay aims at evaluating why and how the labelling of the 1932-33 Ukrainian famine as genocide has been used for political ends *

* Source: 50 Excellent Extended Essays ‘How Has Genocide As It Pertains to the 1932-33 Ukrainian famine been Used as a political tool? – Miss Ryan’s emphasis

A good thesis statement will help you focus your search for information

“Questions & Hypotheses”


Geography Students

Hypothesis = Thesis Statement

For practical help look at David Holmes’ article in

Geography Review Vol. 23 No. 4 April 2010 pp31-33

Focuses on the scientific method and models and using hypotheses

Research

50 IB EEs that have Excellent history essays written by scored an A grade students. Check out introductions, in 17 topic areas conclusions and bibliographies


Many of you have not written an academic essay before so have a look at these

Sources of Information


Library Catalogue – Oliver

Books and ebooks – Project Gutenberg out of copyright = out of date????

Newspapers (eg The Irish Times, a newspaper of record) Archive is available online

Magazines/Journals - find a specialist journal in your subject area. Check outwhat’s available in the library

Encyclopedia (eg Britannica.) Available here and at home via SCOILNET

Internet (use a good search engine) Be wary of Wikipedia. Try Google Scholar. Learn to search it using this NCSU Libraries tutorial https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/tutorials/gsintro/ There should not be an over-reliance on web-based sources.

You are responsible for ensuring information found on the internet is reliable andaccurate

To Research is to INVESTIGATE FULLY using a WIDE VARIETY of resources

What data might you need to answer your RQ?

https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/tutorials/gsintro/

Sources of Information (2)


Databases (EBSCO) Ask Miss Ryan for a demonstration

Previous IB EEs - filed chronologically in the IB Section of the Library

Open access resources – DOAJ (Directory of Open Access Journals) and PLOS ONE.

Statistics - Almanacs (eg WA+BoF), ESRI, Census, government departments, UN, OECD, IMF, World Bank.

Societies, groups, companies, organizations active in your subject area

Your local public library eg Dun Laoghaire ww.dlrcoco.ie/library

University or College Library – apply for a reader’s ticket

http://www.dlrcoco.ie/library

Primary & Secondary Sources


Primary sources – diaries, government documents, legal transcripts,Eyewitness accounts and oral histories. They are resources created at the time concerned

Secondary sources – interpret primary sources. They are not basedon personal involvement in the event. Usually they are books and articles which interpret the events you are researching.

Bear in mind that certain EEs have a minimum expectation when itcomes to primary and secondary sourcing, while others may disallowthe use of one type eg primary research in psychology. Ask Miss Ryanfor guidance

Books


You can use physical or digital copy of a book

What is important to examiners is the quality of the book itself – beware ofamateurs and hobbyists

Be aware that all printed works are not of the same quality which canlead to missed marks for Criterion A: Focus and Method and Criterion C: Critical Thinking

Miss Ryan’s guidance on how to evaluate print sources of informationcan be found on the Library Blog – https://librarysac.wordpress.com

https://librarysac.wordpress.com/

EBSCO Database


User name and password on Library bulletin board search.ebscohost.com

EBSCO Database


EBSCO - internet based databases accessible at school and at home.

Advanced Placement Source

History Reference Center - full text of more than 120 history journals, plus documents, biographies, photos and maps, and 80 hours of historical video.

Literary Reference Center - contains information from over 1,000 books, literary encyclopedias and reference works and hundreds of literary journals. It contains detailed information on the most studied authors and their works.

Science Reference Center - contains full text for nearly 640 science encyclopedias, reference books, periodicals, etc. Topics covered include: biology, chemistry, earth & space science, environmental science, health & medicine, history of science, life science, physics, science & society, science as inquiry, scientists, technology and wildlife.

ASK MISS RYAN FOR A TUTORIAL

Other Databases


Int. System for Agricultural Science & Technology (AGRIS) http://agris.fao.org/agris-search/index.doenvironment, geography, natural sciences

The arXivhttp://arxiv.orgphysics, computer science, maths, finance and biology

EconBizwww.econbix.deeconomics related publications

ERIC Institute of Education Scienceshttp://eric.ed.gov/education, human and natural sciences, arts

http://agris.fao.org/agris-search/index.do

http://arxiv.org/

http://www.econbix.de/

http://eric.ed.gov/

Other Databases


JURNhttp://www.jurn.orgfree scholarly articles

US National Archiveswww.archives.govprimary and secondary sources – other national archives???

National Bureau of Economic Researchwww.nbec.orgeconomics-related publications

POPLINEwww.popline.orghealth, culture, society

http://www.jurn.org/

http://www.archives.gov/

http://www.nbec.org/

http://www.popline.org/

Other Databases


PubMed Centralwww.ncbi.nim.nih.gov/pmcnatural sciences

http://www.ncbi.nim.nih.gov/pmc

Keywords and Synonyms


There’s a great video from the University of Southampton

Identifying Your Keywords, Synonyms and Search Strategies

It can be found on the Library blog (on FROG)

Have a look at http://anglia.libguides.com/keywords

http://anglia.libguides.com/keywords

Research Types


Quantitative – any research where the subject being studied is captured via measurement and expressed in numbers that cCan be analysed; opposite of qualitative research; econometric research on the international oil trade is an example

Qualitative – any research whose results are captured in words, images, or non-numeric symbols, for instance,research on dreams

Source: George. Elements of Library Research

Research Methodologies Interviews


Do your homework—know why you want to contact this specific person before contacting them Contact the individual first to let them know you are interested in interviewing them and why. Letters or emails are all acceptable way of initiating contact. You may not get a response to your first query

Learn all you can about this person and her/his field before the interview – you want to be sure to ask intelligent questions Set an appointment which meets their schedule. Remember they areobliging you by sharing their time and knowledge

Research Methodologies Interviews


Send them a prepared list of questions beforehand to give them time to consider their replies — but feel free to ask follow up questions

Take careful notes — if you want to record the interview, you must ask permission first Ask questions that require more than a “Yes” or “No” response

Ask the who, what (and what was significant about it), where, when, why (and why not) and how questions

Thank them for their time and send them a thank you note. Let them knowthe results of your research

Source:http://library.devry.edu/pdfs/Information_Literacy_Module_2.pdf

Research MethodologiesQuestionnaires


A questionnaire is a series of questions the purpose of gathering information from respondents.

Although they are often designed for the statistical analysis of the responses, this is not always the case.

Great care must be given to the design of the questionnaire and the selection of respondents – beware of bias. Discuss it with your Supervisor.

Decide whether you’ll use a closed or open-ended questionnaire

Remember, having standardized answers may frustrate users.

Great resource – www. surveymonkey.com. Free account gives youthe ability to ask 10 questions.

Other sources – Zoomerang or SurveyGizmo

Research MethodologiesExperiments


You must adhere to IB ethical guidelines and IB AnimalExperimentation Policy

You are NOT allowed to conduct experiments as part of a Psychology EE

Useful for Group 4 EEs as well as Economics and Geography

Carefully consider your hypothesis, the equipment requiredto carry out your experiment and laboratory availability

What safety equipment is required?

How will you isolate your dependent and independent variables?

Have you considered researcher bias?

Literature Review


Read as much as you can about your topic. Time spent on a literaturereview early on in the research process will guide and improve your work

Compile your Bibliography as you read

Record your responses to what you read in your RRS

If using the internet, use specialised academic research engines such as Google Scholar

An online tutorial from NCSU on what is a literature review, its purpose and what to expect when writing one can be found athttps://www.lib.ncsu.edu/tutorials/litreview/

https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/tutorials/litreview/

Background Reading


Start the research process by reading a general encyclopedia article on your subject area

Useful source – Encyclopedia Britannica

Available in school at www.sacdublin.com

Available at home via SCOILNET.IE

Your reading has a purpose!


Read purposefully - what answers do you want from your reading/research?

Make efficient use of your time – skim/scan. Where’s the main idea? What’s really relevant to your research? Use the index. Be ruthless!!

However, technical and closely written text may require 2/3 readings

Evaluate and be critical of the arguments presented in the text

– what are they? List them. If you can’t read the source again- are they consistent or contradictory?- are they relevant (even if you don’t agree with them)?

- is there bias (political, religious, ideological)? - are the underlying assumptions valid? - are conclusions supported by evidence eg statistics

Academic Reading


The University of Southampton video entitled ‘AcademicReading’ is well worth watching.

It can be accessed at

https://librarysac.wordpress.com/research/academic-reading/

https://librarysac.wordpress.com/research/academic-reading/

Note-Taking


Organised note-taking is very important as the EE is written over the course of a year or more

Refer to your Seminar Handout for an example of the following:

3 column note-taking structure

Mind maps

Progression charts

Communicate Your Ideas


Essay Writing Resources


International Baccalaureate Organisation

50 Excellent Extended Essays

808.84

McGinty, Sarah Myers The College Application Essay

378.1616

50 Successful Harvard Application Essays

378.1616

Storey, William Kelleher Writing History: A Guide For Students

907.2

Johnson, Robert Studying History: A practical guide to successful essay-writing, seminars, assignments and exams.

907.2

Corrigan, Timothy A Short Guide to Writing About Film

808.066791

+ 50 MoreExcellentExtendedEssays

http://localhost:3031/Hapi.dll/retrieve2?SetID=61AF5B37-FE0E-40EF-B09D-1FD8F192BAE8&SearchTerm0=essay%20writing&SearchPrecision=20&SortOrder=0&Offset=1&Direction=.&Dispfmt=F&Dispfmt_b=B00&Dispfmt_f=F01&DataSetName=HERITAGE















Essay Writing Resources


Abbott, Mary History Skills - a Student's Handbook

907.127

Matheson, Ian Passing Higher History Skills for Success

907.127

O'Neill, Declan Essay Writing and Unprescribed Prose 420

Berry, Ralph The Research Project 425

These and others are available in the Library

IB Prepared: Extended Essay





Essay Examples


http://bhs-ib-ee.wikispaces.com/Essay+Exemplars

Previous IB EE are in the Library

The IBO 50 Excellent Extended Essays (DVD)

IB Review


It is ESSENTIAL that you consult this magazine on a REGULARbasis!!!

Students should read –

Top-level SkillsRobin BunceModern History Review Vol. 17 No. 4 April 2015

Problem Areas – The Introduction


Sets the context of the essay. It gives the examiner an idea of …

1.What to expect in the essay

2.Focus of the essay

3.Scope of research – what theories or methods have been used

4.Indicates sources to be used

5.Give an insight into the argument

Problem Areas – The Introduction


There are 4 core things to explicitly mention in your Introduction:1. RQ2. context regarding your topic3. why it’s worthy of investigation4. methodological approach used/source material used to arrive at your conclusion

Detailed background information is NOT required here

Indicate to the examiner what existing theories, critical approaches, methods or factors will be used to answer your RQ(Strand – methodology. See Assessment Criteria)

Writing the introduction often comes last

The RQ in the Introduction


I decided to examine the role of one of the most important documentsin the Affair, namely Zola’s open letter to the President of the Republic,“J’Accuse”. This document exemplifies the power and persuasivenessof the press and its ability to turn the tide of public opinion. Hence, theresearch question emerges: What role did “J’Accuse” play in the Dreyfus Affair and more specifically in Dreyfus’ acquittal?

Source: 50 Excellent Extended Essays

Problem Areas – The Essay


Investigation – range, imaginativeness and appropriateness of resources, the planning and structuring of your research process

Knowledge & Understanding – what can be expected from a High School student, must show the place of the topic in the subject discipline, may need to comment on experts’ different opinions

Argument – there should be a logical flow of ideas

Analysis/Evaluation

You will be marked on each of these four criteria

Problem Areas – The Argument


Problem Areas – The Argument


MAJOR CRITICISM from the IB examiners

STUDENTS FAIL TO PUT FORWARD AN ARGUMENT IN THEIR EE

To earn good marks you MUST provide an argument relating to your research topic – analyse and interpret your data

Are there theoretical frameworks/tools/techniques in your subject area that you can use to analyse/interpret your research?

No contribution by the student – the EE is a compilation of informationfrom various sources

Your Purpose


“Remember your purpose is to convince the reader (Examiner)that the conclusions you draw regarding the research questionare well founded and are supported by the evidence you havegathered and presented. So clearly, research question, data,evidence and/or information must be linked in a convincing wayto the conclusion”.

You must do the “linking” and not leave it up to the reader to “see” the connections or relevance of what you have written”

Source: O’Farrell, Finbar. Extended Essay p59

Find The Argument!


Use your critical thinking skills to identify the argument.Apply the skills you learned in TOK and your IAs

What is the author’s position: what does the text wantyou to do, think, accept or believe?

Look for the reasons that are used to support conclusions

Are they valid, logical etc. ?

How Do I Go About Structuring My Argument?


The basic structure of an argument goes something like this.

You take a position, have an opinion, consider something to be true/false.

Your present reasons, evidence or information to support your position

You draw a conclusion from the reasons, evidence or information

Source: O’Farrell, F. Extended Essay. IB Prepared. IBO 2010 p31

How To Structure My Argument


A successful approach would look like this:-

Tell the reader (examiner) what you intend to prove. Do this by presenting, explaining and putting the RQ into context

Present and explain the evidence to support your case:

1. Quotations from a text2. Opinions of other authors you have read3. Historical documents/accounts of events4. Data collected through experimentation/fieldwork5. Results of surveys/questionnaires

Draw conclusions referring back to the evident you have presented

O’Farrell p31

State What You Intend to Prove


Taken from an essay on business ethics

“This essay will first describe what business ethics is and secondly,will consider whether this concept really is important. It will arguethat business ethics is indeed a real and major issue in both the study and practice of business.”

Source: Godfrey, J. How To Use Your Reading In Your Essays. Palgrave Study Skills. Palgrave Macmillan. 2009

Katherine Ryan

Show The Evidence Supporting Your Argument



“Opponents of the concept of ethics in business include those who claim that making a profit is the only responsibility a business has to society (Friedman, 1970, cited in Fisher and Lovell, 2003). Others such as Wolf (2008) share this view, and Prindl and Prodham (1994) suggest that ‘Finance as practiced in the professions and in industry is seen as a value-neutral positive discipline promoting efficiency…… Carr (1968) uses the analogy of a poker game to argue ….”.


Draw A Conclusion From The Evidence



“It is of course true that most businesses cannot succeed without being profitable. However, this does not necessarily exclude ethical behaviour and although Carr’s view seems persuasive, there are twostrong opposing arguments which are even more so”.


The student has presented his argument using his sources!!

Word Count


The EE should NOT be over 4,000 words as any writing over this limit will not be read and could have a negative impact on all assessment criteria!!!

Contribution by the Student


Show your awareness of DIFFERENT VIEWS and what they mean (TOK )

Have a look at contributions made by other students …

Research showed the true breakthrough for the Dreyfusards was …..

The Dreyfus Affair is still a relevant topic, easily connected and applicable to recent events

In the time after independence Rwanda never managed to transcend the colonial legacy. The author will therefore, argue that the Rwandan genocide in 1994 to a great extent was a result of the colonial legacy

Source: 50 Excellent Extended Essays

Problem Areas – Evaluation by the IBO


May 2003 Report:

“Many candidates tend to accept sources unquestioningly, not least the internet ones. As usual, this was the weakest area in mostcandidates’ essays ……….. There is little direct recognition ofdifferent interpretations and/or commentary on historical sources,whether in the body of the essay, information in footnotes orannotated bibliographies.”

What does this mean???

Have a look at the Library Blog for guidance on how to evaluate print and internet sources of information.

https://librarysac.wordpress.com

The Abstract


An Abstract is no longer required

“An abstract is not a formal requirement for an EE. While the EE models an academic research paper, it does not mirror it. Writing an abstract is a skill that students can develop at a later stage in their respective studies.”

https://ibpublishing.ibo.org/extendedessay/apps/dpapp/tsm.html?doc=d_0_eeyyy_gui_1602_1_e&part=2&chapter=2&query=abstract#N1_3_7_2_4_4_6_3_3_1

The ‘P’ Word – Academic Honesty


YOU are responsible for knowing about PLAGIARISM and how to avoid it!!!

Read the relevant IB policies relating to ethical guidelines

Others’ work includes ideas, research, graphics, computer programmesand music. It may consist of writing, charts, pictures, diagrams,websites and includes sentences and phrases.

Sources include books magazines, newspapers, websites, plays,films, photos, paintings and textbooks.

Have a look at the Library Blog on SACnet for guidance

Problem Areas - Bibliography


You must document ALL sources of information used to create your EE

Pick one methodology and stick to it – Harvard, MLA etc

Bibliography creating tools are available on the internet

Palgrave Study Skills: Cite Them Right - loan copies and one referencecopy are available in the Library

Present Your Conclusions


Problem Areas – The Conclusion


Should clearly relate to the RQ

Should be consistent with the findings/evidence

NB - Should not simply be a restatement of the content

Ask yourself did you answer your RQ?

Did you get the results you expected? If not, why not?

Should not suddenly present material that is not in the body of the essay

Have a look at the ‘50 Excellent Extended Essays’ DVD for guidance

Marking Your EE


Marking Your EE


Or how can I get a good grade???

Meet all the assessment criteria – assessment is criterion based!!!

Have a focused RQ

Answer the RQ

Use good quality sources of information

Evaluate, interpret and criticise

Argue!!!

Present your conclusion(s)

Make sure you haveread and understoodthe assessment criteria

Ask your supervisor forhelp if you don’t!!!

EE Assessment Criteria – 34 Points


Criterion A: Focus & Method

Criterion B: Knowledge & Understanding

Criterion C: Critical Thinking

Criterion D: Presentation

Criterion E: Engagement

• Topic• RQ• Methodology

• Context• Subject

Specific terminology & concepts

• Research• Analysis• Discussion

and Evaluation

• Structure• Layout

• Process• Research

Focus

Marks Marks Marks Marks Marks

6 6 12!!! 4 6

Easy 4 pointsMake sure you get them!!This is where you

Get an ‘A’EE Guide p98

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