• A formally presented, structured writing of an in-depth study of a focused topic, where the ideas and findings are communicated in a reasoned and coherent manner, appropriate to the chosen subject.

• Throughout the process of the extended essay, students are to learn and apply:

  • • Conceptual understanding

    • Local and global contexts

    • Effective teamwork, collaboration and communication skills

    • Ability to demonstrate the understanding and research

    • Critical thinking and reflection skills

    • Social, affective, and self-management skills

    • Research skills

The Extended Essay is intended to promote academic research and writing skills, providing students with an opportunity to engage in personal research. This means that a subject that a student has a good background in, and is interested in learning and exploring on their own should be considered the most. 

So, if you chose Math, go through a final, careful thoughts and considerations before you officially commit yourself! Are you willing to spend extra hours on reading math books to learn math that you are new to? Are you willing to learn and practice how to write math papers? Are you willing to learn and explore additional tools (LaTeX, Overleaf, Python, GeoGebra, Desmos, RStudio, Geometry Explorer, etc.)? And are you aware that all these "learning and exploring" are self-conducted and self-driven?

IBDC students are expected to:

• Complete the extended essay component and receive a D or higher to be awarded the Diploma.

• Be assessed in combination with the TOK grade, to earn up to 3 points.

• Spend at least 40 hours from the start of the EE process until they submit the final paper.

• Have the three reflection sessions with the supervisor, along with writing the RPPF form.

• Meet with the supervisor, 3-5 hours total, including the three reflection sessions.

When engaging with sensitive topics, students must consult with the supervisor first and get approval. If necessary, students must make sure that they have a consent form read and signed by the experimenters/guardians. For further details, read and understand the "IB Ethical Guidelines" presented below.

IB Ethical Guidelines (Imported from "IB Ethical guidelines for extended essays research and fieldwork"):

• Extended essay students must exercise the greatest sensitivity to local and international cultures.

• Any research/fieldwork that creates anxiety, stress, pain, or discomfort for participants is not permitted.

• Any research/fieldwork that involves unjustified deception, involuntary participation, or invasion of privacy, including inappropriate use of information technology (IT), email, and the internet, is prohibited.

• All participants in research activities must be informed before commencing the research that they have the right to withdraw at any time. Pressure must not be placed on any individual participant to continue with the investigation beyond this point. 

• Each participant must be informed of the aims and objectives of the research and in addition, be shown the results of the research. 

• Informed consent should be obtained from the people who are the subject of the fieldwork. Research involving children needs the written consent of parent(s) or guardian(s). Students must ensure that parents are fully informed about the implications for children who take part in such research. Where research is conducted with children in a school, the written consent of the teachers concerned must also be obtained. 

• Extended essay students must avoid conducting research with any adult who is not in a fit state of mind and cannot respond freely and independently.

• If any participant shows stress and/or pain at any stage of the research, the research must finish immediately, and the participant must be allowed to withdraw.

• Participants must be debriefed and given the right to withdraw their data and responses. Anonymity for each participant must be guaranteed.

• All data collected must be kept confidential and responsibly and not divulged to any other person.

• Research that is conducted online, using IT methods, is subject to the same guidelines. Any data collected online must be deleted once the research has been completed. Such data must not be used for any purpose other than the conduct of the research.

• To demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

  • • The topic and the research question

    • The subject-specific terminology and/or concepts

    • The relevant and/or appropriate research sources and methods used to gather information

• To select and apply research relevant and appropriate to the research question

• To analyse the research effectively and focus on the research question

• To discuss the research in terms of a clear and coherent reasoned argument in relation to the research question

• To critically evaluate the arguments presented in the essay

• To reflect on and evaluate the research process

• To present information in an appropriate academic format

• To understand and demonstrate academic integrity