The Extended Essay

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The Extended Essay

• What is it?
• And why should I care?

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The Extended Essay is a requirement of the
diploma program.
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WHY?
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Aims of EE

• To provide students with an opportunity to
• Pursue independent research on a focused topic
• Develop research and communication skills
• Develop the skills of creative and critical
  thinking
• Engage in a systematic process of research
  appropriate tot eh subject
• Experience the excitement of intellectual
  discovery

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IB Curriculum
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Extended Essay Requirements

• Compulsory and externally assessed
• Contributes in combination with TOK up to 3
  points to diploma
• A piece of independent research on a topic chosen
  by the student in cooperation with a supervisor
• In a subject on the approved Diploma Program list
• A formal piece of scholarship in a form that
  matches how research is done in the field
• No more than 4000 words
• About 40 hours of work
• Concluded with a short interview with the
  supervising teacher

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Diploma Point Matrix
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Changes to the EE

• Same for 2009

• New for 2009

• 4000 words max
• 300 word abstract
• 40 hour commitment for student (?)
• no editing by supervisor
• supervisor submits predicted grade supervisor
  report

• strongly recommended that supervisors spend 3-5
  hours with each student supervised
• Bibliography lists only sources cited
• one set of assessment criteria A-K interpreted
  for each subject
• concludes with the Viva Voce

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Viva Voce(optional)

• The viva voce is a short interview (10 and 15
  minutes) between the student and the supervisor,
  and is a recommended conclusion to the extended
  essay process.
• Students who do not attend the viva voce may be
  disadvantaged.

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Choosing a subject

• The essay can be done in any of the IB areas of
  study
• It cannot cross boundaries (e.g. a psychological
  look at a biological problem) since it would not
  fit into one discipline for grading purposes.
• Highly recommended that students choose a subject
  they are studying since then they have been
  exposed to the way academic study in that field
  is done. (A TOK approach)
• The research and essay should align with the way
  work is done in the field.

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Subjects

• Chemistry
• Biology
• English
• History
• French
• Mathematics
• Each one has specific requirements for the nature
  of the paper e.g. an EE in math would look very
  different from one in English.

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Choosing a supervisor

• Once you have selected your subject and begun to
  narrow down your focus, we can begin the search
  for a good supervisor to match your interests
• The supervisors must be someone on staff, not
  related to you and with qualifications in the
  subject you want to work with them on.
• If you choose to do a paper in history, we have
  several trained teachers on staff who are trained
  in history. Depending on what sub-field of
  history you choose, we will match you with the
  best person.

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Supervisor/EE Mentor

• Your Mentor must be a teacher at Ancaster
• Select a teacher that you know or have worked
  with before
• Teachers are not required to supervise an
  extended essay
• Teachers normally only supervise 3 to 4 students
  -- ask early

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Supervisor/EE Mentor

• The extended essay supervisor has a few principal
  responsibilities
• Provides advice guidance in the skills of
  undertaking research
• Encourages supports the student throughout the
  writing of the EE
• Ok's the research question
• Knows the regulations governing the EE the
  assessment criteria
• Reads comments on first draft only does not
  edit the draft
• Monitors the progress
• Submits a predicted grade
• Completes the supervisor's report which among
  other things states that the essay you are
  submitting is your work (so supervisor must see
  enough of you and your research process to
  honestly say this)

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Student Responsibilities

• It is required that students
• Choose an appropriate topic
• Observe the regulations relating to the EE (on
  website)
• Meet deadlines (sheet of dates will be posted)
• Read and understand IB Academic Honesty Policy
  (on website)
• Realize that your papers will be sent in and
  examined by Turnitin and you will receive an
  Originality report showing any problem areas.
  (you will go over this with the supervisor)
• Acknowledge all sources of information ideas in
  an approved academic manner appropriate to the
  field of study (Which citing style)

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Ancaster Library - EE Website

• http//schools.hwdsb.on.ca/ancasterhigh/library-2/
  
• Go to the AHS Extended Essay web site to find all
  of the information and forms needed to complete
  the EE.

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Student Responsibilities

• It is strongly recommended that students
• Start early
• Think about and choose the research question
  carefully
• Plan how, when where you will find the research
  material
• Plan a schedule for researching and writing the
  essay
• Record all sources accurately
• Have a clear structure for the essay before
  beginning to write
• Check proofread the final version carefully
• Treat your supervisor appropriately according to
  IBO guidelines
• Seek out your supervisor or EE Co-ordinator for
  help early
• Use the Library and Librarians to help
• Go to our school website for direction (under IB
  Extended Essay)
• Remember it is your responsibility, not anyone
  elses

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Choosing a topic

• Narrowing it down to the form of a research
  question
• This takes preresearch literature search
• Helps to have several questions
• You should check with your supervisor and work
  through which one seems to offer thee best chance
  for a successful paper.
• WHO IS YOUR SUPERVISOR????

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Deciding on your topic

• Your supervisor may help you
• Ensure that the chosen research question is
  appropriate for the subject
• Advise you on
• Access to appropriate resources
• Techniques of information, evidence , data
  gathering, and analysis
• Writing an abstract
• Documenting sources

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Emphasis is placed on the Research Process

• Choose a topic (no later than Dec. 1)
• Check the EE guide to make sure your intended
  research matches the requirements for the subject
• Formulate the research question (RQ)
• Plan the investigation writing process
• Plan a research structure (outline)
• Undertake some preparatory reading
• Carry out the investigation

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Structure of the Extended Essay

• A common assessment rubric has been established

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Assessment

• A -- Research Question (2)
• B -- Introduction (2)
• C -- Investigation (4)
• D -- Knowledge and Understanding of the topic
  studied (4)
• E Reasoned Argument (4)

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Assessment

• F Application of analytical and evaluative
  skills appropriate to the subject (4)
• G Use of Language appropriate to the subject
  (4)
• H -- Conclusion (2)
• I Formal Presentation (4)
• J -- Abstract (2)
• K Holistic Judgment (4)

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How to Write a 4000 word EE...

• Consult the guide
• Look at exemplars (on website)
• Work in the library during free time

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Definition of Malpractice

• Plagiarism
• The representation of ideas or work of another
  person as the candidates own
• Collusion
• Supporting malpractice by another candidate, as
  in allowing ones work to be copied or submitted
  for assessment by another

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Definition of Malpractice

• Duplication of work
• The presentation of the same work for different
  assessment components and/or diploma requirements
• Any other Behaviour
• Which gains an unfair advantage for a candidate
  or which affects the results of another candidate
  

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Research Questions - how to choose

• Ask yourself
• what data you might need to answer the question
• whether you will have access to the data
• whether you will need to find other sources of
  data
• whether there has been any research by others in
  this area. Do a literature search.
• what methods you will need to adopt to answer the
  questions you have in mind. (survey, experiment,
  study, meta-analysis)

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Research Questions - how to choose

• Start a research journal.
• Ask questions.
• Brainstorm and use a graphic organizer.

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What makes a good RQ?

• Good research questions
• Match the criteria in the EE guide for the
  subject being studied
• Dont cross subject boundaries
• Are specific and able to be covered in 4000 words
  (narrow scope)
• Do not have obvious answers out there already
• Are created in collaboration with your supervisor
• Is not your first thought.. EXPECT TO CHANGE YOUR
  MIND SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE YOU FINALLY SETTLE ON A
  TOPIC.

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Good research questions

• Are formulated by the student out of his/her own
  curiosity or interest
• Are non-trivial (i.e., substantial, not
  speculative or too limited in scope, not
  self-evident)
• Are sharply-enough focused so that the student
  can answer it in 4,000 words.

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Bad questions

• ECONOMICS
• Does globalization affect Sweden?
• BIOLOGY
• What causes cancer?
• HISTORY
• What would have happened to Turkey if the last
  Sultans had been more powerful?

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More bad questions

• GEOGRAPHY
• Does Istanbul have a central business district?

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Good questions

• ECONOMICS
• Is there a connection between international
  coffee prices and living standards in Uganda?
• BIOLOGY
• The most important impact on the ecology of
  snails in the Maria Park area.
• HISTORY
• The effects of the establishment of foreign
  schools on education in Turkey in the 19th
  century.

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More good questions

• GEOGRAPHY
• How has migration affected land use patterns in
  XXX province?

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Common problems with questions

• Students discover too late that there is too
  little data, or data is inaccessible.
• Bad pacing of the research and writing process

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More problems

• PLAGIARISM
• The use of the work of other authors
• (texts, data, creative productions,
• oral statements OR ideas) without
• proper acknowledgement, with the
• effect that it appears to be the
• plagiarists own work or idea.

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More problems

• Over-reliance on web-based sources
• Students discover too late that their knowledge
  of the subject is not deep enough.

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More problems

• Ethical issues regarding gathering of data or
  performing of experiments
• No contribution by the student the extended
  essay is a compilation of information from other
  sources.

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Research Writing

• The process of writing a 4000 word essay for the
  first time.
• Suggestions for the students...
• Tackle the EE by breaking it down into small
  parts.

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The Research and Writing Process

• The success of an extended essay is shaped
  largely during the preparatory stages.

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The Research and Writing Process

• The iceberg analogy illustrates clearly the
  importance of the analysis/research/experimentatio
  n that underpins the completed essay.

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The Research and Writing Process

• Since the initial work is so crucial, consider
  following the steps in preparing the extended
  essay.

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The Research and Writing Process

• Title
• Provide a concise title that clearly indicates
  the focus of the essay.
• Do not use your research question or hypothesis
  as your title.

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The Research and Writing Process

• Abstract
• An abstract is not an introduction, although
  there is some overlap. (250 to 300 words)
• An abstract is a synopsis of the essay.
• It also sets the tone of the essay.

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The Research and Writing Process

• Table of contents
• The contents page outlines the main sections with
  corresponding page numbers.
• It also indicates the structure of the essay.

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The Research and Writing Process

• Introduction
• Although not listed as a criterion of assessment,
  an introduction is an important component of an
  extended essay.

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The Research and Writing Process

• Body and development
• This is the longest and most important section.

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The Research and Writing Process

• Conclusion
• Remember that last impressions are lasting
  impressions.

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The Research and Writing Process

• Quotations
• Use quotations judiciously and integrate them
  smoothly into the text of the essay.

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The Research and Writing Process

• Structure
• Organization enhances the clarity of your thesis.
  

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The Research and Writing Process

• Style
• Write your essay in a style that is clear and
  smooth and in a tone that is formal and
  scholarly.

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The Research and Writing Process

• Subheadings/chapters
• Longer essays in certain subjects, like the
  sciences, might require section headings.

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The Research and Writing Process

• Documentation
• Whether you are citing a quotation, an idea, an
  illustration or Internet information, you must
  document the source.

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The Research and Writing Process

• Length
• The most successful essays are in the 3,200
  3,800 word range. 4000 maximum

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The Research and Writing Process

• Formal presentation
• Proofread your essay meticulously from the title
  page to bibliography.

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The Research and Writing Process

• Appendix
• All material placed in the appendix must be
  directly relevant to your thesis.

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The Research and Writing Process

• Technology
• The computer is simply a tool and its
  effectiveness as a tool is determined by how you
  use it.

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The Research and Writing Process