Group 4 extended Essays

An Introduction
A Group 4 Extended Essay can be
successful

As Percentages
Group
A B C D E
Number
3 8.87 22.83 40.68 25.40 2.20

4 9.57 22.77 41.83 23.38 2.14

 What makes a Good Science
Extended essay?

•
A good research question which allows you to
design and carry out an experiment.
•
An experiment which generates enough data
for meaningful statistical analysis
 Animal Experimentation
Guide
•Designing any experiment that inflicts harm(including
stress) or pain on any animal is PROHIBITED
•Designing any experiment that involves an exchange of
bodily fluids (that includes saliva) is PROHIBITED
•Any experiment involving humans must be with their
written permission
•Any Experiment involving microorganisms must avoid
incubation at or near human body temperature
 Structure of the Essay
Title page

Abstract

Contents page

Introduction

Investigation/body (development/methods/results)

Conclusion

References and bibliography

Appendices (Raw data should be here)

 Length of the Essay
•
The essay should not exceed 4000 words.
•
The word limit does not include:
• the abstract
• acknowledgments
• the contents page
• maps, charts, diagrams, annotated illustrations and tables
• equations, formulas and calculations
• citations/references (whether parenthetical or numbered)
• footnotes or endnotes
• the bibliography
• appendices
 Science Specific Overview
•
There are separate sections for Biology, Chemistry,
Physics, Environmental Systems, Sport Exercise &
Health Science and Design Technology within the EE
guide

•
Read the appropriate section very carefully.

•
There is good advice concerning the Research
Question
 Assessment Criteria

•
Read all of the Assessment Criteria carefully
alongside the Subject Specific information
 A:Research Question
You need a Science specific research question (ensure that it is
specific to your Science subject)

Include the independent variable(s)

Include specifically the dependent variable

Include the name of any organisms and chemicals involved in

your investigation

Be Specific and clear

State your Research Question clearly

(underlined or bold) at the beginning of your
introduction.
 B: Introduction
Context - Clearly explain the scientific theory
behind the Research Question. Include
citations. This is background
information/hypothesis.
Significance - What are you trying to
understand better?
Worth - Why is this worth investigating? What
is the value of this research
 C: Investigation
•
How well have you planned your
investigation?
•
Include:
• An explained hypothesis

• An explanation of how all variable are controlled

• A list of materials (which can be included in a cited appendix)

• A clear method which collects enough meaningful data. You should be able to use the data for producing
graphs with standard deviation error bars, and statistical analysis such as t-test, Anova

• To get the top marks, you need to develop an interesting method, rather than modify a standard procedure.

•
Additionally I suggest that you include information on a trial experiment to determine suitable variations of
the independent variable, and to confirm that you can collect data.
 D: Knowledge and Understanding

Academic Context - compare your data to data from

other investigations in this field with citations (in the
conclusion).

Knowledge
It must be clear that you understand the information
within your essay and that your provide citations.

Avoid jargon, if jargon must be used ensure that it is

explained.
 E: Reasoned Argument
Avoid investigating too many independent variables - one or two is best.

Ensure the argument is presented as:

•Introduction of the problem

•Experimental procedure
•Present Data (Raw data can be in a cited appendix)
•Present graphs/statistical analysis
•Analyse your data and compare it to literature
•Conclusion

Refer to the Research Question at all stages of the EE

 F: Analytical and evaluative skills I

Raw data must be presented (but if large amounts are generated

should be in an appendix)

Processed data tables should be in the body of the EE

Graphs (including error bars) should be presented in the body of

the EE

Consider data analysis such as ANOVA or t-tests (ensure that

your data meets the required conditions. Always state the null
hypothesis and alternative hypotheses - calculations can be in an
appendix)
 F: Analytical and evaluative skills II

•Analysis and Conclusion must be based on

the data collected.
•Analysis should attempt to answer the
research question
•Errors and uncertainties arising from
methodology, instruments and/or techniques
should be analysed and evaluated
 G: Appropriate language
•Terminology must be used correctly
•Avoid Excessive jargon
•Jargon should be explained
•Maintain a consistent linguistic style
 H: Conclusion
State a clear conclusion based on the data
collected and your analysis

Identify unresolved questions/issues

 I: Formal Presentation I
•
More than 4000 word means no points
•
Science investigations “often result in large
quantities of raw data. Large tables of raw data
are best included in an appendix. Processed
data fundamental to the research question
should be included in the body of the essay.”
(IBO)
 I: Formal Presentation II
•
You must include the following:
• title page
• table of contents
• page numbers
• illustrative material with captions & citations
• quotations

• documentation (including references, citations and bibliography)

• appendices
 J: Abstract
More than 300 word means 0
The abstract requires three components:
•A clear statement of the research question
•A clear summary of the procedure
•A clear summary of the conclusion
 K: holistic judgement
Three things are considered:
•Intellectual initiative (The EE should not be an
IA)
•Depth of understanding
•Insight
 Appendices, footnotes & Endnotes

“Appendices, footnotes and endnotes are not an essential

section of the extended essay and examiners are not
required to read them, so care should be taken to include
all information of direct relevance to the analysis and
argument in the main body of the essay. An essay that
attempts to evade the word limit by including important
material in notes or appendices risks losing marks under
several criteria. Unless considered essential, complete lists
of raw data should not be included in the extended essay.
Students should not constantly refer to material presented
in an appendix as this may disrupt the continuity of the
essay.”
 Experiment or Research
Essay?
•
Both are possible but experiment essays are
more likely to be successful.
•
If you do a research essay, you must still
analyse data and produce graphs.
•
If you do a research essay, you will need to
find something new and interesting that the
original research did not.
 Questions?

•
Email me at john.power@dc.edu.hk
•
Or find me and ask questions directly