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Who will be my supervisor?
Who will be my supervisor?
The supervisor–student working relationship is probably the most important one in the Extended Essay process.
The supervisor plays a crucial role in helping you plan and undertake your research for the Extended Essay. The relationship should be an active two-way process, with the supervisor primarily there to support and guide you during the planning stages, reflection sessions, and when researching your topic and writing your draft. This is accomplished through the supervision process, which includes the three mandatory reflection sessions and the completion of the Reflections and Progress Form (RPF) in Managebac.
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How many times should I meet with my supervisor?
How many times should I meet with my supervisor?
You MUST meet with your supervisor for THREE mandatory reflection sessions, which are outlined on the deadline calendar. Additionally, you will have three required 'check-in' sessions. And, other than that, you can meet with your supervisor as many times you both agree to.
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How long will each supervision session last?
How long will each supervision session last?
The mandatory reflection sessions will probably last between 15-20 minutes each. The check-in sessions will probably last between 10-15 minutes, but could be longer, depending on need.
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Overall, how much time can my supervisor give to me?
Overall, how much time can my supervisor give to me?
Supervisors may give you between three and five hours of supervision--they are not allowed to give you more than five hours. These hours include the three mandatory reflection sessions. The amount of time is recorded and noted on your essay when it is uploaded to the IB.
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What support can I expect from my supervisor?
What support can I expect from my supervisor?
It is the responsibility of the supervisor to ensure that you are familiar with the requirements of the extended essay. Supervisors and students must discuss:
the nature of the extended essay
their chosen subject, topic, and research question
the most appropriate research methods to be used, given the subject for which the student is submitting their essay
the formal requirements for the completion of the task.
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What are supervisors required to do?
What are supervisors required to do?
Supervisors are required to:
undertake three mandatory reflection sessions with each student they are supervising
sign the Reflections on Progress Form at the end of the process. If the form and essay are submitted via the eCoursework system, then it is deemed signed and authenticated. A blank or unsubmitted RPF will score a 0 for criterion E. The RPF is completed via ManageBac, so there should be no problems with its submission, as long as students complete the reflections by the deadlines.
provide students with advice and guidance in the skills of undertaking research
provide guidance and support throughout the research and writing of the Extended Essay
discuss the choice of topic with each student and, in particular, help to formulate a well-focused research question which is suitable for the subject and ensure that the chosen research question satisfies appropriate legal and ethical standards with regard to health and safety, confidentiality, human rights, animal welfare, and environmental issues
is familiar with the regulations governing the extended essay and the assessment criteria, and gives copies of these to students
monitor the progress of the extended essay to offer guidance and to ensure that the essay is the student’s own work (this may include presenting a section of the essay for supervisor comment)
read and comment on one draft only of the extended essay (but do not edit the draft); this should take place after the interim reflection session, but before the final reflection session, the viva voce
ensure that the final version of the essay is handed in before the final reflection session (viva voce) 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.
Supervisors are strongly recommended to:
read recent extended essay reports for the subject
spend between three and five hours with each student, including the time spent on the three mandatory reflection sessions
encourage the development of a Researcher’s reflection space for students
set a clear schedule for the reflection sessions
ensure that the chosen research question is appropriate for the subject
advise students on:
access to appropriate resources (such as people, a library, a laboratory)
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What is my supervisor NOT allowed to do?
What is my supervisor NOT allowed to do?
Your supervisor will not:
Set up appointments with you--students must take the initiative
Provide you with research material--although s/he may point you in the right direction, or suggest some reading you could undertake
Track you down when they have not heard from you in a while--or when you have missed deadlines. Again it is your responsibility to contact your supervisor if you are struggling with your EE
Read more than one full draft of your Extended Essay. This is an IB rule.
Edit your work - they can discuss your work with you at length, but they cannot edit it.
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Can I work with an external supervisor?
Can I work with an external supervisor?
You may work with or consult external experts in a particular area of specialism, but it remains the responsibility of the supervisor within the school to complete all the requirements described above. There are some situations where students need to work with scientific equipment more advanced than that available in the school, or with language experts not available in the language department, and in these cases, the IB has made available regulations regarding the use of 'external mentors.' However, you must have a supervisor who is a member of staff in your school, and it is this supervisor who is responsible for all aspects of your EE.
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In circumstances where the school deems it appropriate, students may undertake their research at an institute or university under the guidance of an external mentor. This must be with the agreement of the school, and the external mentor must be provided with a letter outlining the nature of the Extended Essay and clear instructions about the level of guidance that is permitted. Schools are responsible for ensuring that these external mentors are aware of the limits of their role in providing this service. It is important to note that if this is the case, the student must be allocated a supervisor within the school and undertake his or her reflection sessions with this person. Only a supervisor within the school is permitted to complete the reflection process for the extended essay with the student and provide both signature and comments on the Reflections on planning and progress form (RPPF). The nature of these comments may be informed by the external mentor, but must not be provided by them.
The letter, which must be electronically signed by the external mentor, must be inserted in the appendix of the essay as part of the document file rather than as a separate document. If a student has had an external mentor, this signed letter is an important part of the authentication of the essay.
As the extended essay is an independent task and a formal assessment component, students must not receive assistance with any aspect of the research, writing or proofreading of the extended essay beyond that which is permitted through their supervisor. If a supervisor suspects that the extended essay submitted for assessment by a student could not have been completed without assistance, they are required to bring this to the attention of the Diploma Programme/Extended Essay coordinator, who, in turn, must inform the IB. This may then be investigated as a possible case of academic misconduct.
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