Extended Essay

Topic choice - the focus area must have more depth than an IA (which is a simple investigation into changing a variable and seeing the effect on another).

The required depth can be found in many ways bit some examples cold be:

• examining the effect of neglected factors (air resistance is a classic)

• examining secondary factors, or systems which have multiple variables that can be altered.

• showing the data deviates from simple models beyond a certain point.

Level of Physics - the essay should be written for an international peer audience, familiar with the Diploma Programme physics course. The essay can therefore refer to any physics from the course without proof or explanation, eg Newton’s laws.

Data tables and graphs - a representative sample of raw data collected in large amounts by the student must be included in the core of the essay in a data table including uncertainties and units. The rest of the raw data should be in the appendix. Too many graphs and data tables will detract from the overall quality of the communication and interrupt the development of the argument.

Notes to consider when planning first draft

First reflection (approximately 100 words):

• What am I interested in researching and why?

• What are my motivations for undertaking research in this area?

• If there was difficulty finding a topic. What was the initial interest based on?

• How does the original idea link to the new RQ? 

• If I changed my approach or strategies during the process, why did I do this?

Second reflection (approximately 150 words):

• What questions are emerging? Are these similar or different to my initial questions?

• Are there any challenges that I need to overcome in order to achieve my desired outcomes?

• Do I have sufficient data/information to begin formulating an argument? If I do not have sufficient data/information, how will I go about resolving this? Can it be resolved?

• Has the data/information collected taken me in an unexpected direction, or are there still questions/issues that I am unclear how to resolve?

Third reflection (approximately 250 words):

• Do I have a reasoned argument that can be sustained throughout the essay? Am I able to make coherent links between different points made and the evidence presented?

• To what extent have I answered my research question?

• Has my research resulted in me changing my perspective or views on the topic in question?

• What strategies have I employed that have worked particularly well at this stage of the process?

• What improvements might I suggest to my own working practices?

• What did I learn about myself as a learner in this process?

• What, if any, questions emerged as a result of my research that I was not expecting? Would these questions influence my approach if I were to undertake the research again?

Word counts are guidance only, but the maximum word count is 500 words when added together.