SCIENCES
Note: Before reading the following guidance, read the “General guidance for the extended essay” section in this guide.
Note: Before reading the following guidance, read the “General guidance for the extended essay” section in this guide.
An extended essay in any of the science subjects--biology, chemistry, computer science, design technology, physics, and sports, exercise and health science—offers the opportunity to investigate and collect primary or secondary data, based on a focused research question. You collect evidence using scientific methodology. Your findings must lead to a valid, evidence-based conclusion, and your work may lead to new insights in your field of study. Science essays are primarily experimental in nature and rely on observations, measurements, and the application of theory.
Science essays can be distinguished from extended essays in other disciplines by the development of falsifiable hypotheses, replicable data, and the use of peer-reviewed publications. These three processes differentiate a scientific process from a pseudoscientific one and from extended essays in other disciplines.
A good extended essay is based on accepted, subject-specific methodology, requires a good understanding of the underlying concepts, and uses appropriate terminology. Science extended essays based on primary data must use controlled, independent variables and a standardized methodology that makes the research applicable and allows valid conclusions to be drawn. For example, a good extended essay in biology could explore the anti-proliferative effect of anthocyanin. An extended essay in design technology could focus on new technologies and how they influence existing technologies.
Science essays can be distinguished from extended essays in other disciplines by the development of falsifiable hypotheses, replicable data, and the use of peer-reviewed publications. These three processes differentiate a scientific process from a pseudoscientific one and from extended essays in other disciplines.
A good extended essay is based on accepted, subject-specific methodology, requires a good understanding of the underlying concepts, and uses appropriate terminology. Science extended essays based on primary data must use controlled, independent variables and a standardized methodology that makes the research applicable and allows valid conclusions to be drawn. For example, a good extended essay in biology could explore the anti-proliferative effect of anthocyanin. An extended essay in design technology could focus on new technologies and how they influence existing technologies.
When choosing a topic in any of the sciences, you must be realistic and mindful of the facilities at your disposal. The topic must have a strong focus on the subject for which the extended essay is submitted. Avoid topics that are beyond the scope and timeline of an extended essay or would involve lengthy research using sophisticated laboratory equipment not usually found in school laboratories (labs). Also, be careful not to choose a topic where collecting sufficient data to answer the question is infeasible because it would be unethical or impractical.
Extended essays based on simple experimental data are just as valid as research conducted in university labs or hospitals. Obviously, the chosen topic must be of interest to you. Preferably, you already have some knowledge of the theory and understand the concepts. Conceptual understanding applies even more when writing an extended essay based on secondary data. Be aware that published (scientific) literature sometimes assumes knowledge and understanding that is higher than the level expected of a DP student; this can be challenging but also rewarding. You need to stay focused on valid analysis that leads to credible, evidence-based conclusions. An additional aspect of basing an extended essay on secondary data is that the scientific articles or databases must use a similar standardized approach and controls, and preferably similar methodologies.
The basic premise when choosing a topic for an extended essay is not to overcomplicate it: keep it manageable within the time you have.
Extended essays based on simple experimental data are just as valid as research conducted in university labs or hospitals. Obviously, the chosen topic must be of interest to you. Preferably, you already have some knowledge of the theory and understand the concepts. Conceptual understanding applies even more when writing an extended essay based on secondary data. Be aware that published (scientific) literature sometimes assumes knowledge and understanding that is higher than the level expected of a DP student; this can be challenging but also rewarding. You need to stay focused on valid analysis that leads to credible, evidence-based conclusions. An additional aspect of basing an extended essay on secondary data is that the scientific articles or databases must use a similar standardized approach and controls, and preferably similar methodologies.
The basic premise when choosing a topic for an extended essay is not to overcomplicate it: keep it manageable within the time you have.
The first step is carrying out background research. This applies to essays based only on secondary data, and to those that use primary and secondary data. Before you delve into peer-reviewed scientific publications, ensure that you understand fully the theories and concepts associated with your topic. They must be linked to the topic and research question and support the argument. For secondary data, the selection criteria for the material to be included should be made explicit in the essay.
A focused research question will enable you to sustain an argument throughout the essay. The question will define the structure of your essay, the methodology based on scientific principles, and the terminology. It will support an analytical, data-based or data-driven discussion. The sources must support the introduction of the topic and be used to support and give context to the analysis and the discussion. Variables in the research question must be defined and justified, and allow measurements to be made in the investigation. The International System of Units (SI) must be used.
The methodology must be detailed so that the investigation can be replicated. The methodology must support measuring the dependent variables under standardized conditions.
The results must be presented in a standardized format. They must be clearly labelled with appropriate headings, units and numbering. Essays based on secondary data may copy graphs or tables from the selected sources, but the (statistical) analysis must be performed by you, the student.
The conclusions must be supported by the data. However, do not be concerned if the collected data does not support your hypothesis; “negative” results are just as valid as “positive” results in relation to the critical evaluation of the results and conclusions in the context of the research question.
The evaluation must be linked to the research question and the methodology. It must show the strengths and weaknesses of the essay, preferably in a scientific context, and must also include the sources.
EE Guide pg 63-68
A focused research question will enable you to sustain an argument throughout the essay. The question will define the structure of your essay, the methodology based on scientific principles, and the terminology. It will support an analytical, data-based or data-driven discussion. The sources must support the introduction of the topic and be used to support and give context to the analysis and the discussion. Variables in the research question must be defined and justified, and allow measurements to be made in the investigation. The International System of Units (SI) must be used.
The methodology must be detailed so that the investigation can be replicated. The methodology must support measuring the dependent variables under standardized conditions.
The results must be presented in a standardized format. They must be clearly labelled with appropriate headings, units and numbering. Essays based on secondary data may copy graphs or tables from the selected sources, but the (statistical) analysis must be performed by you, the student.
The conclusions must be supported by the data. However, do not be concerned if the collected data does not support your hypothesis; “negative” results are just as valid as “positive” results in relation to the critical evaluation of the results and conclusions in the context of the research question.
The evaluation must be linked to the research question and the methodology. It must show the strengths and weaknesses of the essay, preferably in a scientific context, and must also include the sources.
EE Guide pg 63-68
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Biology is the science that deals with living organisms and life processes. A biology EE should incorporate biological theory and emphasize why it is relevant today.
The topic must relate specifically to biology. Many topics can be approached from different viewpoints, but for an EE in Biology, the treatment of the topic must be clearly biological. For example, an EE in an interdisciplinary area such as biochemistry will, if registered under the subject of biology, be judged solely on its biological content. Disease, for example, could be considered through many different lenses. A biology paper about diseases would focus on their impact on particular organisms or life processes, and not on medical treatment or the economic effects of the disease on society. All EEs in the sciences should begin with at least one hypothesis based on their research question. Then, a student will conduct either primary or secondary research to test their hypothesis by collecting some kind of data. By analyzing their findings, a student should be able to find a scientific answer to their research question.
Primary Research Essays in biology may be based on data collected by the student through experimentation, surveys, microscopic observations, biological drawing, and fieldwork. Secondary Research Students can base their essays on data or information obtained from literature (secondary studies). However, in this case, they should use the data in an original way. Essays that simply restate facts or data taken directly from the sources are of little value. |