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DP2 - Interim Reflection Session
The following are all factors that should be considered regardless of your EE subject or topic.
The following are all factors that should be considered regardless of your EE subject or topic.
You should also consult IB's subject-specific guidance page to remind yourself of the requirements for an EE in your field: https://ibpublishing.ibo.org/extendedessay/apps/dpapp/guidance.html?doc=d_0_eeyyy_gui_1602_1_e&part=1&chapter=1
You should also consult IB's subject-specific guidance page to remind yourself of the requirements for an EE in your field: https://ibpublishing.ibo.org/extendedessay/apps/dpapp/guidance.html?doc=d_0_eeyyy_gui_1602_1_e&part=1&chapter=1
Do you have a scholarly source?
Do you have a scholarly source?
This is often a critical consideration for your secondary research. There are multiple ways to determine whether your sources would be considered "scholarly."
This is often a critical consideration for your secondary research. There are multiple ways to determine whether your sources would be considered "scholarly."
Is the source written by someone who could be considered an expert, like a professor, a researcher, or someone with an extensive body of work in a subject or on a specific topic?
Is the source written by someone who could be considered an expert, like a professor, a researcher, or someone with an extensive body of work in a subject or on a specific topic?
Is the source published by an organization that is known for scholarly work, such as a university publishing house or an academic journal?
Is the source published by an organization that is known for scholarly work, such as a university publishing house or an academic journal?
These, and other straightforward ways to consider the worthiness of a source, can be found on this page from the University of Illinois: https://www.library.illinois.edu/ugl/howdoi/scholarly/
These, and other straightforward ways to consider the worthiness of a source, can be found on this page from the University of Illinois: https://www.library.illinois.edu/ugl/howdoi/scholarly/
Origin?
Origin?
Is the source appropriately timely? You may find a terrific article... but then you see it's from 1963. Hasn't the knowledge in your field moved forward quite a bit since then? Hmm...
Purpose?
Purpose?
In some subjects, it's worth considering why a source was written. In fields like History and Global Politics, it is normal to have a wide range of beliefs and perspectives come up in your research. Is an article a response to something else that was written? Is it promoting a new interpretation? Is the author lashing out at their enemies, insulting anyone who disagrees with them (fun to read, but probably not so useful for you)?
Content?
Content?
How much of this source is directly relevant to what you're looking at?
It's possible to find a source that doesn't quite line up with what you're looking for, but still has useful, relevant information for you.
Sometimes the value of a source's content isn't immediately obvious, but combined with something else (a certain perspective, an analytical "lens," or another source) it becomes more obviously helpful.
Do I need to talk about my sources in the essay?
You probably should. Obviously, the sources will all be available in the Works Cited or References page at the end, but how can you clearly communicate to an examiner that you have thought critically about your sources as you worked? Where possible, and when you have something useful to say, talk about authors, the findings, and the source in general. Is it outdated? Is it in conflict with other information you gathered?
Your analysis of the sources can contribute to the points you make and your rationale for those points. Additionally, when Crit C looks for whether the research is "good" or not, evidence that you have evaluated sources is a BIG piece of that puzzle. Historically, this is an area where MDID students in all subjects can afford to improve.
Please note that research (and quality of research) is a component of Criteria A, B, and C in the Extended Essay
A: Focuses mostly on methodology and its appropriateness -- is your research appropriate for your EE subject?
B: You'll want to use your research well to score highly here; they are not expecting you to know everything prior to the EE. New knowledge is incorporated into the essay and properly cited.
C:
Research is relevant to doing well in ALL three of these criteria - be sure to consult the subject-specific guidance for your subject! (Link at the top of this page.)
Research is relevant to doing well in ALL three of these criteria - be sure to consult the subject-specific guidance for your subject! (Link at the top of this page.)
Some of you might benefit from a refresher on taking notes.
Some of you might benefit from a refresher on taking notes.
Research is NOT a passive activity! It is more than just searching and reading!
I'd strongly recommend...
Taking note of specific statistics that can help you
Writing down quotes that you could include in your essay (as well as the page number where they can be found, if needed.)
More notes = less need to go back and re-read a source.
Creating an annotated bibliography
Creating an annotated bibliography
An annotated bibliography can be a useful tool in the early stages of your EE process. It can be something you put together over the course of a weekend, or it could be a more involved effort that you add to regularly over months of EE work.
An annotated bibliography is particularly useful for subjects like History, where there is an expectation that you show some evidence that you are evaluating your sources.
It is also a great tool for the sciences, and a good way to keep general notes on the reports and studies that you find. Don't overlook the possibility of doing an annotated bibliography! It's a great way to record your progress and dig into the sources you find.
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