Science EEs in the time of COVID

During 2020-2022, the IB recognized that field research and lab work was challenging to undertake.

The IB published some assistance for students undertaking science EEs in Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Environmental Systems and Societies, Sports Exercise and Health Science. What follows came directly from the IB (October 2020). It may be of additional assistance even now.

At the outset it is important to note that Extended Essays researched and written in Sciences and Geography that use methods other than experimentation or fieldwork have the potential to perform very well. All Extended Essays are assessed by applying the same criteria. Following is advice to help students use these methods fully and effectively.

General advice that could apply to any sciences EE

As in the case of an experimentally or field-based investigation, an extended essay based on secondary data requires a research question that can be explored and addressed using material obtained from the sources used. Data and information can be found in peer-reviewed journal articles and reliable websites with sound scientific information.

A quick, effective way to determine how focused the author of an article is, is to refer to their tables, diagrams, graphs, and equations. How clearly are these are organized and presented? Is the style used by the author easy to follow? The research question should have clear variables. This usually helps to establish a viable approach that includes analyzing and/or comparing data on a well-defined topic from different authors/sources, different times, different geographical locations etc.

For library-based essays the process used to identify and select relevant sources needs to be particularly thorough, and selection criteria for the material to be included should be made explicit in the essay. With a broad-based approach to background research in the early stages of the research, it is possible that not all of the sources accessed will turn out to be relevant. In this case the bibliography should be selective and should only include material that was actually used in the writing process.

When choosing sources, students must consider the setting of the scientific context for the research and the method ́s design if applicable. With this in mind, attention should be paid to the methods to be used for data analysis, the interpretation of data, the conclusion (that should respond to the research question) and evaluation of the method and data used. It is also important that students explain the type of sampling used to extract the data. Research questions that link properties to brands (students may use label information of different foods to determine vitamin or other nutrients content) should be avoided as it is usually difficult to support the conclusion from a scientific point of view.

As always, students should consult with their supervisor about the topic and the research question and keep them regularly informed about progress.

Advice specific to various subjects

Biology:

There are numerous online sources of biological publications including NCBI, PubMed, DOAJ and Science Direct to name a few. Other sources of data include university and government websites and databases as well as data released by companies and other organizations involved in biological research and or biological products.

Chemistry:

Students should always explain ideas carefully to show understanding of the relevant chemical principles underlying any investigation. When databases or other people ́s results are used, students should be sure they understand the method used, that they will be able to use it to support their argument, and that they can evaluate it effectively.

There are some experiments that could be carefully done at home, using everyday chemicals such as vinegar, sodium hydrogen carbonate, cooking oil, hydrogen peroxide, etc. and electronic scales, together with glassware. However, students should take care to develop a challenging research question. If this option is being considered, health and safety procedures must be taken into account and discussed with the student.

It is also possible to produce a good essay using virtual labs.

Physics:

With imagination, experimentation is possible, for example the water can collapsing experiment, making reference to Torricelli's law. However, it is important to note that If the student is carrying out an experiment at home, they must perform a risk analysis and check with the supervisor prior to starting any data collection.

Simulation is a method that can be useful, but it is important to list all the input statements you need to enter before the simulation comes into play. Which dependent variable(s) are to be explored? What are the corresponding independent variables? What uncertainties does the simulation present?

When using secondary sources, it is important to explain the origin of the available data, which experimental method was followed, what equipment was used, and what uncertainties and limitations are evident.

Survey essays in physics can be successful, but there are pitfalls to avoid. The purpose of the essay is not principally to inform the reader, nor to deliver a summary of collected information. The student should be personally involved, not simply an informant. Arguments, counter arguments, and critical thinking should be evident.

Environmental Systems and Societies:

Due to the multidisciplinary nature of ESS, there are many online sources of publications. However, the data needs to be manipulated in order to investigate the association between the well-being of a society and the quality of the environment in which a society lives.

Students can use online sources of biological publications, for example, epidemiological data from WHO or PubMed. Other sources of data include university and government websites and databases as well as data released by other organizations involved in environmentally related research.

Sports Exercise and Health Science:

Review-based essays

The challenge here is for the student to engage with critical thinking and avoid being too descriptive. Taking a systematic approach is important, following a process similar to that illustrated in PRISMA flow diagrams (http://www.prisma-statement.org/).

Online data collection

Students can conduct effective studies online using surveys or longitudinal data – psychometric tests, physical activity diaries etc. These can also be supplemented with self-reported objective data if students have activity trackers on their smart phones.

Examples of face to face data collection with social distancing

If schools are open but with social distancing measures in place, it is still possible to collect data. Most fitness tests can be done safely this way and activities can be demonstrated and imitated.

Biology:

NCBI:

PubMed:

Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ):

ScienceDirect:

The Red List:

NASA Climate Change:

National Wildlife Health Center:

USDA nutrient database: (contains a complete nutrition profile for various food and drink items)

Satellite Data:

Ocean Tracks:

The Paleobiology Database:

eBird:

RCSB Protein Data Bank:

BioServers: (Easy to use interface for DNA database searches)

AlFred: (allele frequency)

Gorongosa Wild Cam:

Chemistry:

The Royal Society of Chemistry:

Virtual Chemistry Laboratory

Virtual lab:

Physics:

Ehrlich, Robert, 1990. Turning the World Inside Out and 174 Other Simple Physics Demonstrations. Princeton, Princeton University Press

Ehrlich, Robert, 1997.Why toast lands jelly-side down: Zen and the Art of Physics Demonstrations. Princeton, Princeton University Press

https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691028873/why-toast-lands-jelly-side-down
http://www.flyingcircusofphysics.com/ (Jearl Walker)
http://www.aapt.org/
http://scitation.aip.org/content/aapt/journal/tpt
http://iopscience.iop.org/
http://iopscience.iop.org/0031-9120

(Example of an article: The speed of sound in singing tubes.)

Helpful articles about understanding how to write an essay in physics in the journals

The Physics Teacher (AAPT Physics Education) or Physics Education (IOP Science).

Example of article from The Physics Teacher: The Physics Teacher, Vol. 5, Issue 4 pages 160-163, 1967 “A student exercise for determining the average density of a celestial body by a limiting process” by T. E. Pomeroy.

Iteration: http://www.feynmanlectures.caltech.edu/I_09.html

Simulations: https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/filter?subjects=physics&sort=alpha&view=grid

Interactive Physics Simulations:

https://ophysics.com/

https://sites.google.com/site/studentdcpsimulations/

KCVS: King’s University in Edmonton, Canada, web site of King’s Center for Visualization in Science

MyPhysicsLab.com:

NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), undergraduate computer programs to download:

Particle Physics: OnScreen Science—accurate subatomic particle decay events simulation with analysis tools.

oPhysics: Interactive Physics Simulations listed by topic:

PhET: The University of Colorado, Boulder, USA, web site for Physics Education Technology.

Physics–Online.Com (for A Level and GCSE Physics and International Baccalaureate)