IB EE Advice for Students

The table below is designed​ to help you think about the assessment criteria and whether you have
addressed the expectations within your essay. You do not need to address all of the questions posed, but
they do provide some guidance in terms of what to consider.

Criterion Unpacking the criteria

This criterion focuses on the topic, the research question and the
A: Focus and methodology. It assesses the explanation of the focus of the research
method (this includes the topic and the research question), how the research
will be undertaken, and how the focus is maintained throughout the
essay.

● Does this essay meet the requirements for the subject for which you are
registering it?
● Is your research question stated as a question?
● Have you explained how your research question relates to the subject
that you selected for the extended essay?
● Have you given an insight into why your area of study is important?
● Is your research question feasible within the scope of the task? Could
your research question be “answered” or it is too vague?
● Did you refer to your research question throughout the essay (not only in
the introduction and conclusion)?
● Did you explain why you selected your methodology?
● Are there other possible methods that could be used or applied to
answer your research question? How might this change the direction of
your research?
● If you stated a particular methodology in the introduction of your essay,
or specific sources, have you used them?
● Are there any references listed in the bibliography that were not directly
cited in the text?

B: Knowledge and This criterion assesses the extent to which the research relates to the
understanding subject area/discipline used to explore the research question; or in
the case of the world studies extended essay, the issue addressed
and the two disciplinary perspectives applied; and additionally, the
way in which this knowledge and understanding is demonstrated
through the use of appropriate terminology and concepts.

● Have you explained how your research question relates to a specific

subject you selected for the extended essay?
● Have you used relevant terminology and concepts throughout your
essay as they relate to your particular area of research?
● Is it clear that the sources you are using are relevant and appropriate to
your research question?
● Do you have a range of sources, or have you only relied on one
particular type, for example internet sources?
● Is there a reason why you might not have a range? Is this justified?

C: Critical thinking This criterion assesses the extent to which critical thinking skills
have been used to analyse and evaluate the research undertaken.

● Have you made links between your results and data collected and your
research question?
● If you included data or information that is not directly related to your
research question have you explained its importance?
● Are your conclusions supported by your data?
 ● If you found unexpected information or data have you discussed its
importance?
● Have you provided a critical evaluation of the methods you selected?
● Have you considered the reliability of your sources (peer-reviewed
journals, internet, and so on)?
● Have you mentioned and evaluated the significance of possible errors
that may have occurred in your research?
● Are all your suggestions of errors or improvements relevant?
● Have you evaluated your research question?
● Have you compared your results or findings with any other sources?
● Is there an argument that is clear and easy to follow and directly linked
to answering your research question, and which is supported by
evidence?

D: Presentation This criterion assesses the extent to which the presentation follows
the standard format expected for academic writing and the extent to
which this aids effective communication.

● Have you read and understood the presentation requirements of the

extended essay?
● Have you chosen a font that will be easy for examiners to read
on-screen?
● Is your essay double-spaced and size 12 font?
● Are the title and research question mentioned on the cover page?
● Are all pages numbered?
● Have you prepared a correct table of contents?
● Do the page numbers in the table of contents match the page numbers
in the text?
● Is your essay subdivided into correct sub-sections, if this is applicable to
the subject?
● Are all figures and tables properly numbered and labelled?
● Does your bibliography contain only the sources cited in the text?
● Did you use the same reference system throughout the essay?
● Does the essay have less than 4,000 words?
● Is all the material presented in the appendices relevant and necessary?
● Have you proofread the text for spelling or grammar errors?

E: Engagement This criterion assesses the student’s engagement with their research
focus and the research process. It will be applied by the examiner at
the end of the assessment of the essay, after considering the
student’s RPPF.

● Have you demonstrated your engagement with your research topic and
the research process?
● Have you highlighted challenges you faced and how you overcame
them?
● Will the examiner get a sense of your intellectual and skills
development?
● Will the examiner get a sense of your creativity and intellectual initiative?
● Will the examiner get a sense of how you responded to actions and
ideas in the research process?
 Checklist Y/N
Title Page ● Have you included a title page? Does it have:
● The topic?
● The research question?
● A precise word count figure?
Word count ● Is it fewer than 4000 words excluding appendices and references?
Format ● Arial
● 12 font size
● Double spaced
● Page numbers
● Topic in header on each page
Contents Page ● Have you included a contents page?
● Does it include the main headings- introduction, body, conclusion and
appendices?
● Does it accurately state page numbers?
Proofreading ● Have you run a spell check?
● Have you printed your essay and checked that it ‘looks right’- no blank
pages, missing page numbers, odd formatting?
● Have you read the essay OUT LOUD from start to finish? This will help
you to see and hear errors.
Introduction Does your introduction clearly indicate:
● the focus of the essay- restating the topic that is on the title page and the
research question
● the scope of the research
● significant sources to be used
● the line of argument to be taken
● why the research question was chosen
● how the research question links to existing knowledge on the subject (if
known)
● what the research question has to offer/why is it a worthwhile question to
answer/topic to pursue?
● in some subjects, definition of key terms
It may be several paragraphs long.
Body of essay ● Have you clearly indicated paragraphs?
● Does each paragraph begin with a topic sentence?
● Have you started a new paragraph when you have change the topic of
your writing?
● Do you have points, evidence and analysis in paragraph?
Conclusion ● Have you answered the research question?
● Are there any unresolved questions?
Use of images ● Have diagrams, charts and images been appropriately referenced in the
essay?
Referencing ● Have you cited and referenced all sources used according to Harvard
and academic style?
honesty ● Is your reference list arranged in alphabetical order?
● Have you checked the bibliographic information of your sources by using
citethisforme ​to help you?
● Have you submitted your essay on Managebac?
From the IB: ​Effective citing and referencing​ guide p.14