focused pathway.

To this end, a more open interdisciplinary pathway has been designed which
is accessible to a broad range of topics, including those that would previously have found a
home in the World Studies EE category. Environmental Systems and Societies and Literature
and Performance will now appear in the subject-focused pathway.

Provisional explanation of the interdisciplinary extended essay pathway

“Curiosity is the engine of achievement.”

― Ken Robinson

All extended essays, whether interdisciplinary or subject-focused, should begin with an idea that
is generated by a student’s personal interest. Some ideas will suit the subject-focused pathway,
while the interdisciplinary pathway is there to allow students to investigate a topic that may be
better explored through the combined lenses of two DP subjects. Imaginative interdisciplinary
collaboration can open such topics to rich research.

Figure 1: The interdisciplinary pathway for the extended essay

The research question should:

• be clearly stated and focused, but open to amendment or change as research

progresses;
• invite a critical examination of the topic in respect of integrating knowledge, concepts,
theories, perspectives or methods from two DP subjects; and
• encourage analysis, evaluation and synthesis.

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What does ‘interdisciplinary’ mean in the extended essay?

Students are researching and writing their extended essays in an interdisciplinary way when they
integrate knowledge, concepts, theories, perspectives or methods from two chosen DP subjects.
In other words, elements of the two subjects are combined so that they work together effectively
to help research an extended essay topic that lends itself to an interdisciplinary approach.
Integration of two subjects can lead to fresh insights and create new and/or deeper
understandings that would have been unlikely through research within one DP subject.

Guidance on interdisciplinary research and writing

If the interdisciplinary pathway is appropriate for an extended essay topic, advice on how to best
make this approach work is available in the Teacher Support Material section of the extended
essay website. Supervisors can download relevant sections to share with students. The most
important thing is to constantly keep in mind the idea of ‘integration’.

Balance between the two DP subjects

In an interdisciplinary extended essay, it is not necessary for a student to achieve an evenly

balanced combination of each of the two DP subjects. The relative balance will depend on the
nature of the topic and the emphasis of the research question. However, an interdisciplinary
extended essay should demonstrate clearly that integration of elements of the two subjects has
specifically enabled an effective response to the research question.

Rigour in an interdisciplinary extended essay

In order to ensure rigour in an interdisciplinary extended essay, understanding of the two DP

subjects that are combined in an interdisciplinary essay needs to be evident. This understanding
will contribute to the quality of the research, which is the overall measure of rigour in an extended
essay. A more rigorous research process is likely to lead to more reliable findings. Consequently,
students must be studying at least one of the two DP subjects they are using. They are then
bringing to the research process an emerging understanding of knowledge, concepts, theories,
perspectives or methods from at least one DP subject. This understanding will be important in
terms of developing an understanding of elements of the second DP subject and combining
these in an effective interdisciplinary research pathway.

To ensure the rigour of an interdisciplinary extended essay (or indeed a subject-focused extended
essay) in the sense of it being good quality, well supported research, it is best if students discuss
this matter with their supervisors, so that what is rigorous about the work in progress, and what
is not rigorous, can be understood.

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Why choose to do an interdisciplinary extended essay?
Students who take the
interdisciplinary pathway could
be:
responding to a question of
personal interest in a more
insightful way than would be
possible through a single subject
integrating concepts or methods to
gain a deeper understanding of an
issue or problem
investigating a complex issue of
global concern which is better
addressed using two DP subjects
applying an insight, theory or
method from one DP subject to the
content of another DP subject to
seek new perspectives and
understandings
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Examples of interdisciplinary ideas:
– exploring the biomechanics and physics
of generating spin with a cricket ball
(Sports Exercise and Health Science and
Physics)
– examining the automobile as motif and
also as literary symbol in literature (Design
Technology and Language and Literature)
– investigating a public health system from
the perspectives of economic policy and
human wellbeing (Economics and Social
and Cultural Anthropology)
– investigating the concept of gender from
both biological and social perspectives
(Biology and Social and Cultural
Anthropology)
– applying mathematical modeling to
finding solutions for social housing
(Mathematics and Geography)
– analysing the covers of women’s
magazines from the perspectives of both
language and marketing (Business
Management and Language and
Literature)
– investigating enzyme activity using skills
from two sciences (Biology and Chemistry)
– investigating the potential for achieving
global sustainability in terms of plastics
(Chemistry and Geography; or Psychology
and Business Management)
– exploring climate change modelling
(Mathematics and Computer Science)
– examining both economic and social
perspectives of development (Economics
and Geography)
– applying chaos theory to the Cuban
Missile Crisis (Physics and History)
– exploring poetry with an understanding of
cognitive neuro-science (Language and
Literature and Psychology)

exploring interesting questions at
the boundaries of DP subjects' areas
of inquiry
– investigating how literary works might
influence political movements (History
and Language and Literature)
– investigating the need for game design to
adapt to the dynamic nature of
communities and societies (Digital Society
[ITGS] and Design Technology)
– exploring the ethics of nanotechnology
(Physics and Philosophy)
– examining the importance of dress design
in graphic novels (Design Technology and
Language and Literature)
– exploring the psycholinguistic and
cultural processes involved in learning
languages (Language Acquisition and
Psychology)
– analysing addiction to social media from
social and biological perspectives (Digital
Society [ITGS] and Biology or Psychology)
– applying the idea of asymmetric
information to investigate internet scams
(Economics and Digital Society [ITGS])
– exploring cognitive processes in the
creation of abstract art (Visual Arts and
Psychology)

Frameworks

An interdisciplinary EE topic should fit with one of the five frameworks listed below. These
frameworks allow for inclusion of a broad, diverse range of ideas that could arise from students’
personal interests. They are designed to help students choose an appropriate context for the
topic they wish to explore with an interdisciplinary approach.

1. Power, equality, justice

2. Culture, identity, expression
3. Movement, time, space
4. Sustainability, development, change
5. Evidence, measurement, innovation
It should be noted that a topic does not need to connect with all the words that describe a
framework. For example, in framework 2 the focus might be on ‘identity’, but not ‘culture’ or
‘expression’. Indeed, some topics may not fit neatly into one framework, but overlap with others.
The same topic could even be placed in an alternative framework depending on the emphasis of
the research question.

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So, it is important that students and supervisors do not worry unduly about which frameworks
should define their topics. The choice of framework is not directly assessed; the frameworks are
there to provide initial guidance for the inquiry process.

Broad topic areas within the five interdisciplinary frameworks

The number of possible broad topic areas that could kick-start an interdisciplinary extended essay
is limited only by the capacity of students to imagine ideas that they would like to research.
However, here are some initial suggestions for each of the five frameworks.
1. Power, equality, justice
Social issues – health, education, racism, gender, poverty; political issues; fairness; conflict;
the body – commodified bodies, violent bodies, bodies as weapons of war
2. Culture, identity, expression
Belief systems; politics of identity; political movements; contested spaces; sporting and
other competitions; art and science; music; protests; icons; cultural heritage; the body –
modifications; literature and science; psycholinguistics; gaming
3. Movement, time, space
Migration; refugees; virtual communities; astronomy; travel; urbanism; social media;
contested spaces; non-places/spaces; conflict; globalization; museums; questions of
evolution;
4. Sustainability, development, change
Sustainability – environmental, social, economic; climate change; development –
economic, social; food; health; political issues; poverty
5. Evidence, measurement, innovation
Art and science; literature and science; cross-scientific inquiry; mathematics in science;
gaming; social media

Getting started

To begin with it is important for students to ‘take an idea for a walk’, i.e. to think through how it
might develop as an interdisciplinary essay. If interest in a broad topic area has already been
identified, then responding to the following four questions will help students get started.

1. What aspect or issue within this broad topic area really interests me?
2. Why is an interdisciplinary approach appropriate for my topic?
3. Which framework best suits my topic?
4. Which two DP subjects can I integrate to investigate my topic successfully within that
framework?

To illustrate this process, here are some examples from students:

(N.B. Further work will take place on these examples)
Broad topic area Gender
What aspect or issue I am really interested in gender. Specifically, I have been
within this broad topic reading a lot about the case of Caster Semenya and I
area really interests me? wonder if it is fair that she is having to prove her gender or

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 take drugs that reduce her hormones. Should she be able
to compete with women?
Why is an interdisciplinary My essay could integrate scientific and social approaches
approach appropriate for to help provide a deeper understanding of the concept of
my topic? gender than would be possible through just one of these
approaches. An interdisciplinary approach may help me to
better understand this problem, perhaps from the
perspective of the International Olympic Committee.
Which framework best Depending on the nature of the research question I
suits my topic? develop, the most suitable frameworks could be Power,
equality, justice, or Culture, identity, expression.
Which two DP subjects Biology and Social and Cultural Anthropology: I could
can I integrate to explore tensions between the genetic definition of gender
investigate my topic and the idea of gender as being socially constructed; or
successfully within that Language and Literature and Global Politics: I could
framework? explore the language of the media around women in sport
and how this influences political decisions about gender
rights globally.

Broad topic area Cross-scientific inquiry

What aspect or issue I am interested in ideas that are relevant to more than
within this broad topic one field of science. Specifically, I want to understand
area really interests me? more about enzyme activity
Why is an interdisciplinary To fully understand enzyme activity, I need to explore it
approach appropriate for from more than one perspective, i.e. the structure of
my topic? proteins and also reaction kinetics. That points me
towards Biochemistry, an area I’m really interested in.
Which framework best Evidence, measurement, innovation
suits my topic?
Which two DP subjects I will be able to integrate knowledge and understanding
can I integrate to from both Biology and Chemistry.
investigate my topic
successfully within that
framework?

Broad topic area Mathematics in science

What aspect or issue I would like to know more about the patterns of
within this broad topic movement of ‘rides’ at fun fairs. What might be the
area really interests me? optimum speeds and angles to maximise the thrill of
users? Can this movement be modelled?
Why is an interdisciplinary I can explore the physical system experimentally but
approach appropriate for using mathematical models will help me to describe and
my topic? explain it better.
Which framework best Evidence, measurement, innovation
suits my topic?

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 Which two DP subjects Physics and Mathematics. The experimental methods of
can I integrate to Physics can be enhanced by using mathematical
investigate my topic concepts and language to describe the system.
successfully within that
framework?

Broad topic area Art and science

What aspect or issue I am interested to explore how cognitive processes work
within this broad topic as artists create abstract art. I am curious about Wassily
area really interests me? Kandinsky's work because he used his synaesthesia (the
capacity to see sound and hear colour) to create abstract
paintings.
Why is an interdisciplinary Applying insights from Psychology to the content of
approach appropriate for Visual Arts will add to my understanding of the artistic
my topic? process.
Which framework best Culture, identity, expression
suits my topic?
Which two DP subjects Visual Arts and Psychology. The ideas and practice of the
can I integrate to artist will be unpacked through engaging with the study
investigate my topic of the human mind and its functions, applying
successfully within that understanding of cognitive processes.
framework?

Broad topic area Literature and science

What aspect or issue Poems move me. I would like to know why and how this
within this broad topic happens, to learn about how poetry impacts cognitive
area really interests me? processes in the brain.
Why is an interdisciplinary I have read that new brain imaging technology is
approach appropriate for connecting art and science by mapping the different
my topic? ways in which the brain responds to poetry. I would like
to explore this interdisciplinary idea further.
Which framework best Depending on the emphasis of my research question,
suits my topic? either Culture, identity, expression or Evidence,
measurement, innovation will be suitable frameworks.

Which two DP subjects Poetry, as experienced through Language and Literature

can I integrate to integrated with cognitive neurobiology (Biology).
investigate my topic
successfully within that
framework?

Broad topic area Psycholinguistics

What aspect or issue I can speak several languages and am interested in the
within this broad topic processes involved in how languages are learned. Do
area really interests me? psycholinguistic and cultural processes mix?

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 Why is an interdisciplinary This is an interesting question on the edge of language
approach appropriate for acquisition, so to help me undertake research I will need
my topic? to combine elements from Language Acquisition and
Psychology.
Which framework best Culture, identity, expression
suits my topic?
Which two DP subjects A subject from Language Acquisition and Psychology
can I integrate to
investigate my topic
successfully within that
framework?

Broad topic area Culture and migration

What aspect or issue I am interested in culture and the sense of belonging.
within this broad topic Inspired by my experiences as a ‘third-culture kid’, I
area really interests me? would like to understand how moving from country to
country impacts people’s understanding of the world and
response to it. Is it the same for migrants? I might focus
on a cultural group that I find interesting.
Why is an interdisciplinary Blending spatial analysis with cultural analysis could well
approach appropriate for give me the answers I am looking for.
my topic?
Which framework best Movement, time, space
suits my topic?
Which two DP subjects Geography can help me understand how places are
can I integrate to continually reshaped of as people move between them,
investigate my topic forming interconnections and spatial linkages. Social and
successfully within that Cultural Anthropology will help me understand how
framework? migrants are perceived by host societies and how they
respond to these perceptions.

Broad topic area Literature and political movements

What aspect or issue I would like to understand how literary works influence
within this broad topic political movements. My background is Irish, and this
area really interests me? research could help me understand if we might one day
see a united Ireland. I am inspired by reading about
Bobby Sands and how his poetry affected his political
vision, and vice versa.
Why is an interdisciplinary Applying insights from the poetry of writers like Bobby
approach appropriate for Sands to the history of political movements in Ireland
my topic? should provide me with new perspectives and
understandings. An interdisciplinary approach will help
me to find out if literature has a political purpose; how
does literature affect the real world? I might focus on the

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 importance of the literature of the Irish literary revival to
the 1916 Easter rebellion.
Which framework best Culture, identity, expression
suits my topic?
Which two DP subjects Combining elements from History and Language and
can I integrate to Literature will strengthen my inquiry and lead to a better
investigate my topic understanding.
successfully within that
framework?

Broad topic area Gaming

What aspect or issue Society is changing so rapidly, and I wonder if the way we
within this broad topic design simulation games needs to also change to take
area really interests me? this into account. How do we represent ‘reality’ in the
virtual world of gaming?
Why is an interdisciplinary Applying a method from one DP subject to the content
approach appropriate for of another DP subject will help me to seek new
my topic? perspectives and understandings. In this case, I can
combine a design thinking approach with a social
analysis of gaming communities.
Which framework best Depending on the emphasis of my research question,
suits my topic? Culture, identity, expression or Evidence, measurement,
innovation could frame my topic.
Which two DP subjects Digital Society [ITGS] and Design Technology
can I integrate to
investigate my topic
successfully within that
framework?

Broad topic area Conflict

What aspect or issue I would like to find out why terrorist groups have become
within this broad topic a feature of our world. Is there a link with the foreign
area really interests me? policies of various governments?
Why is an interdisciplinary A historical approach will give me insights into the
approach appropriate for circumstances surrounding the establishment of these
my topic? groups. I can then combine this knowledge with a
contemporary understanding of people, power and
politics.
Which framework best Power, equality, justice
suits my topic?
Which two DP subjects History will help me understand the ‘hard power/soft
can I integrate to power’ nature of governments’ foreign policies and
investigate my topic Global Politics will help me investigate the way that
successfully within that power and politics play out as a result.
framework?

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 Broad topic area Climate change and economics
What aspect or issue I read that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
within this broad topic Change has declared Southern Africa a “climate change
area really interests me? hot spot.” I would like to find out if more focus on
renewable energy sources is likely for new development
projects. How might decisions made at local and global
levels impact this situation?
Why is an interdisciplinary I will find out more if I look at this topic from the different
approach appropriate for viewpoints of political issues and economic policies and
my topic? practices, at global and local levels
Which framework best Sustainability, development, change
suits my topic?
Which two DP subjects Economics and Global Politics
can I integrate to
investigate my topic
successfully within that
framework?

Broad topic area Social media

What aspect or issue What makes us addicted to social media? I am interested
within this broad topic to find out. Is it just a social phenomenon, or is biology
area really interests me? involved? Is my brain producing dopamine when I’m
interacting with social media?
Why is an interdisciplinary To find out the answers to my questions I need to
approach appropriate for integrate concepts and methods from the humanities
my topic? and the sciences.
Which framework best Depending on the emphasis of my research question,
suits my topic? either Movement, time, space or Evidence, measurement,
innovation can frame my essay.
Which two DP subjects Biology (neuropharmacology) can help me look into the
can I integrate to chemistry of the brain and either Digital Society or the
investigate my topic sociocultural approach in Psychology can help me
successfully within that explore the social aspects of the topic.
framework?

Developing a research question

Once an extended essay topic is sitting comfortably in the context of the interdisciplinary
pathway, an appropriate framework has been selected, and two DP subjects chosen, it is time to
develop a research question that is clearly stated and focused. However, it is important to remain
open to the idea of amending or changing a research question if the research takes a different
direction.

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A research question should invite a critical examination of the topic in respect of integrating
knowledge, concepts, theories, perspectives or methods from two DP subjects. It should
encourage analysis, evaluation and synthesis rather than description, unsupported
generalizations and value judgments.

It is also important to imagine being able to respond to a research question comfortably within
the 4,000 word limit of an extended essay. Here are examples of research questions, developed
from some of the interdisciplinary topics listed earlier.

Topic Framework DP subjects Research question

Gender Power, equality, Biology, Social To what extent do decisions
verification in justice and cultural made by authorities impact the
sports anthropology human rights of athletes with
intersex traits?
Foreign policy Power, equality, History and ‘What caused the rise of X?’
and terrorism justice Global politics (where X is an identified terrorist
group or movement)
The influence of Culture, identity, Language and To what extent did the literature
literature on expression literature and of the Irish cultural revival
political History influence the 1916 Easter
movements rebellion?
Use of Sustainability, Economics and To what extent do decisions
renewable development, Global politics made at local and global levels
energy sources change impact the use of renewable
in development energy sources in development
projects projects in Kenya?

N.B. Further examples of research questions will be added

Next steps

– Further Development Meetings to work on the guide and the TSM (September 2019 –
February 2022)
– Finalisation of guide (January 2022), Teacher Support Material (March 2022), student
samples (June 2022)
– Development of workshop materials(January –July 2022)
– Workshop leader training (October/ November 2022)
– Publication of new materials on PRC (February 2023)•
– Subject Specific Seminars and new workshops (February 2023 onwards)

Further information

If you have any questions or concerns about the emerging next Extended Essay guide, you are
welcome to get in touch any time. Please email DPdevelopment@ibo.org and indicate that your
query is for the attention of the Extended Essay curriculum manager.

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