The new Extended Essay guide

• for publication in March 2007

• for first examination in 2009

(c) IBO 2006 1

 Key changes

• expanded general guidance

• new subject guidance
• common assessment criteria

(c) IBO 2006 2

 Nature of the extended essay

• compulsory
• independent research
• related to a diploma subject
• 40 hours of work
• concluding with a short interview
• externally assessed

(c) IBO 2006 3

 Aims

• develop independent research and

communication skills
• develop creative and critical thinking
• experience the excitement of
intellectual discovery

(c) IBO 2006 4

 Assessment objectives

students are expected to:

1. plan a research project
2. formulate a precise research question
3. gather and interpret appropriate material
4. structure a reasoned argument
5. use an appropriate format
6. use appropriate terminology
7. apply analytical and evaluative skills
(c) IBO 2006 5
 Additional Guidance

guidance on responsibilities of the:

• school
• supervisor
• student
advice from examiners
advice on research, writing and presentation

(c) IBO 2006 6

 Responsibilities of the school: requirements

• adhere to regulations in the guide

• ensure the subject is chosen before the
topic
• supervisor must be an appropriately
qualified teacher
• provide general and subject-specific
information and guidelines
• provide access to subject reports
• supervisors must be familiar with Academic
honesty: guidance for schools
(c) IBO 2006 7
 Responsibilities of the school: recommendations

• set internal deadlines

• teach research skills
• train supervisors

(c) IBO 2006 8

 Responsibilities of the supervisor: requirements

• advise and guide on research skills

• inform, encourage and support
• advise on topic choice and research question
• ensure legal and ethical standards are met
• read and comment on the first draft
• monitor progress and confirm authenticity
• submit a predicted grade and report
• report suspected malpractice
(c) IBO 2006 9
 Responsibilities of the supervisor: recommendations

• read extended essay report

• spend 3 to 5 hours with each student
• ensure the appropriateness of the
research question
• conduct a short, concluding interview
(viva voce)

(c) IBO 2006 10

 viva voce (concluding interview)

The viva is a 10–15 minute interview

between student and supervisor. It is a
recommended conclusion to the extended
essay process.
The viva serves the following purposes:
• a check on plagiarism/malpractice
• an opportunity to reflect on successes
and on what has been learnt
• an aid to the supervisor’s report
(c) IBO 2006 11
 Assessment criteria

A: research question (2 marks)

B: introduction (2 marks)
C: investigation (4 marks)
D: knowledge and understanding of the
topic studied (4 marks)
E: reasoned argument (4 marks)
F: application of analytical and evaluative
skills (4 marks)
(c) IBO 2006 12
 Assessment criteria (continued)

G: use of language appropriate to the

subject (4 marks)
H: conclusion (2 marks)
I: formal presentation (4 marks)
J: abstract (2 marks)
K: holistic judgment (4 marks)

(c) IBO 2006 13

EE GRADES
EE Assessment
Being a supervisor
 
Extended essay numbers  
 
 May-05  

Subject No. of Candidates

MUSIC 417
BIOLOGY 2348
HISTORY 8176
PHYSICS 1166
ARABIC B 35
FRENCH B 178
GERMAN B 98
ARABIC A1 83
CHEMISTRY 865
ECONOMICS 1268
ENGLISH B 769
FRENCH A1 93
GEOGRAPHY 703
GERMAN A1 115
SPANISH B 170
BUS.& MAN. 601
ENGLISH A1 2579
PHILOSOPHY 590
PSYCHOLOGY 1580
SPANISH A1 305
MATHEMATICS 565
VISUAL ARTS 1104
THEATRE ARTS 293
ENVIRON.SYST. 223
ISLAMIC HIST. 49
SOC.CUL.ANTH. 639
  
November-05
   

Subject No. of Candidates

MUSIC 36
BIOLOGY 263
HISTORY 674
PHYSICS 129
CHEMISTRY 117
ECONOMICS 205
ENGLISH B 109
GEOGRAPHY 167

SWAHILI B 15
BUS.& MAN. 81
ENGLISH A1 222
PHILOSOPHY 51

PSYCHOLOGY 142

SISWATI A1 3
SPANISH A1 266
MATHEMATICS 43

VISUAL ARTS 159

THEATRE ARTS 45

ENVIRON.SYST. 18

ISLAMIC HIST. 10

SOC.CUL.ANTH. 43
DP Coordinator and the EE

• Instructional strategies involved in supervision

• Coordinating library research skills for students
• Sessions on EE planning
• Sessions on EE production
• Academic honesty
Extended Essay

TOK