Summary on the

E-E course
29/04/2020

By: Mbiankeu Yves Potiron

Yves Mbiankeu
The essay is designed to help you develop the research skills you will need for your Diploma
Programme and any future study you might do, such as university work. They make us know that,
when starting your initial research, you should ask:

What has already been written about this topic? A topic which has been researched extensively
may not leave you with any gaps in current knowledge to fill, but if nobody has written about your
topic it might not be worth investigating. Once you have an idea of your topic area, download a copy
of the mind-map template in the Downloads section and use the check-list to help you narrow down
your research focus.

Will it be easy to find sources of information? Some data and research are not readily accessible to
the public and this could make it hard to gather information you need.

Are there a range of views or perspectives on the topic? Many of the best research questions relate
to a controversial issue which is the subject of debate. The essay is a 4000 word research project and
should include: a title page contents main body tables, charts and illustrations (optional) references
bibliography appendices (optional).

Is there a range of different sources available? The most successful research projects draw on a
variety of different sources types. In the first meeting you will discuss your topic area and
preliminary research questions. There is a huge range of sources you could use in your research such
as books, journal articles, interviews, surveys and documentaries to name just a few. This will be like
the Reflections on Planning and Progress Form you will complete for your extended essay, and so it
will help you prepare for this. By spending time planning your project at the start, you will stay
organised and on-track throughout the process of your research. All research must be safe, ethical
and appropriate so discuss your ideas with your supervisor before starting. After each reflective
session with your supervisor, you will record your reflections on a separate Reflections on Planning
and Progress Form. The different types of source you will use through out your research come under
two main categories. Self-reflection is an integral part of any research process and you will be
assessed on this alongside your essay. They are usually in the form of books, journal articles and
research reports. The important thing is to find and critically analyse a variety of suitable sources and
use them to form a strong argument. Do you understand the key sources and concepts? If you find
the sources difficult to understand, there’s no shame in choosing a simpler topic. Self-reflection may
not come naturally to you, but it’s important to reflect on both the positive outcomes of your
research and the challenges which you have faced. In the second meeting you will discuss how your
argument is developing and any challenges you have encountered conducting your research. Make
sure you have the resources you need to carry out your research. It will encourage you to evaluate
the research process, so you have a more in-depth understanding of the role of a researcher. This
means you should not just accept the information you use, but question it, and use a broad range of
sources to form your own arguments. Writing your research question is a process and it is likely to
change many times during your research.