Guide → Extended Essay →Superivisor Info
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Supervisors: What you need to know
Supervisors: What you need to know
The supervisor plays an important role in helping students to plan and undertake their research for the extended essay. The relationship should be an active two-way process with the supervisor primarily there to support and guide the student, during the supervision and reflection sessions, at the planning stage, and when the student is carrying out and writing up their research. This is done through the supervision process, including the three mandatory reflection sessions and the completion of the Reflections on planning and progress form.
It is the responsibility of the supervisor to ensure that students 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.
Supervisors are required to:
undertake three mandatory reflection sessions with each student they are supervising
initial and date each reflection summarized on the Reflections on planning and progress form and provide comments at the end of the process. If the form and essay are submitted via the eCoursework system, then it is deemed signed and authenticated. An RPPF that is blank, unsubmitted, or written in a language other than that of the essay, will be awarded a 0 for criterion E.
provide students with advice and guidance in the skills of undertaking research
encourage and support students 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 to the subject of registration 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)
Reflection Session Questions: 1st Reflection
Reflection Session Questions: 1st Reflection
In preparation for your first formal EE reflection session do the following:
Do some initial background reading into a subject area you're interested in exploring.
Using this as a starting point, explore a variety of possible research topics thinking about possible research questions.
Read the subject-specific section of the Extended Essay Guide for your subject paying particular attention to the nature of the subject and the treatment of the topic. (I have shared the relevant sections of the EE manual on Business Management)
Undertake further background reading and begin to gather information around your area of interest.
Refine your RQ based on your exploration of information and our initial discussion.
Include an annotated bibliography of five sources you plan to use in your EE along with a working bibliography.
Consider the following questions prior to our meeting?
Is my topic appropriate for the subject I am considering?
Why am I interested in this area and why is it important?
What possible questions have emerged from my initial reading?
Are there any ethical issues that I need to consider?
What possible methods or approaches might be used for research in this area and why?
What problems or challenges did you encounter in finding relevant sources in your initial research?
What types of resources have you located thus far to support your EE?
Is there enough and varied resources available to support my RQ and research?
What new skills did I develop because of my research?
What has been the most difficult part of the process thus far?
What would I do differently if I were to start over again from the very beginning?
What problems do I anticipate in moving forward with the research process?
What actions can I take to overcome the problems I identified in the previous question?
After you have completed the above, we are ready for our first formal reflection session of 20-30 minutes. Please plan to come prepared to discuss your work thus far on your extended essay.
Reflection Session Questions: 2nd Reflection
Reflection Session Questions: 2nd Reflection
In preparation for your interim formal EE reflection session, you should have completed the following:
A complete rough draft of your essay containing all 6 required components: title page, contents page, introduction, body, conclusion, works cited/bibliography.
Is your rough draft in the proper format specified by the IB? (12 pt, Arial font, double spaced, 2.5cm margins). Do you have the required section in your draft: title page, contents page, introduction, body, conclusion, references and bibliography (works cited)?
Consider the following questions prior to our meeting?
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?
What reasons may have affected my ability to answer my research question?
If I have been selective in the evidence presented in my essay, can I justify my choices?
Is there a clear summative conclusion, and does this reflect the discussion that has taken place?
To what extent do I think I have fulfilled the expectations of the extended essay as a task?
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?
After you have completed the above, we are ready for our second formal reflection session of 20-30 minutes. Please come prepared to discuss/reflect what you have learned thus far in the EE process.
3rd Reflection (Viva Voce)
3rd Reflection (Viva Voce)
The Third Reflection can be written before the Viva Voce meeting to help you prepare for the conversation and after you have submitted your final draft. (Think 175-250 words)
What did you discover that surprised you?
Is writing the EE mainly about process or product AND why?
What would you have done differently and why?
What advice would you give to a student just beginning this process?
What have been the high and low points of the research and writing processes?
What would you have done differently?
What is the most important thing that you learned?
What was your greatest challenge and how did you overcome it?
What would you change if you did another EE?
What was the most valuable experience that you took away from the process?
What was your greatest challenge and what did you do to overcome it?
What IB learner profile attribute would you say helped you through the process (communicator, risk-taker, etc.)?
Would you like to continue reading on this topic?
What questions did this process raise?
What conclusions have you drawn about the topic?
Research Questions (RQs)
Research Questions (RQs)
Guidance on research questions from the IB.
The Research and Writing Process
Formulating a Research Question
Source: IBO
Assessment
Assessment
Overview of the 5 marking criterion:
Criterion A: Focus and Method (6 marks)
Criterion B: Knowledge and Understanding (6 marks)
Criterion C: Critical Thinking (12 marks)
Criterion D: Presentation (4 marks)
Criterion E: Engagement (6 marks)
Grade Boundaries
Grade Boundaries
A: 27-34 marks
B: 21-26 marks
C: 14-20 marks
D: 7-13 marks
E: 0-6 marks
Commenting on a EE Draft
Commenting on a EE Draft
Supervisor Comments
Supervisor Comments
Supervisor Reflection Examples
Review the four examples from the IB to assist in writing your supervisor comments in the RPPF.
Supervisor Final Checklist
Supervisor Final Checklist
EE_Supiversor_Final_Checklist.pdfReport abuse