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Is it finally time to start working on your Computer Science extended essay? Clastify comes to the rescue! Below you will find tips on preparing a high-scoring essay, drawing from our experience with IB coursework. We also provided you with the linked exemplars. While we suggest this framework based on our experience of assisting students in achieving top-rated essays, feel free to adapt the guide below to your preferences.
Computer Science EE format and structure
The extended essay is a 4,000 words investigation that should consist of the following parts:
Title page and table of contents
On the title page, you will include the topic of your investigation, the research question, the subject, and the word count.
The next page should be the table of contents with all subsections of your essay along with the page numbering.
Introduction
Provide a concise overview of the topic, and introduce the most relevant concepts from the area of computer science.
Explain the personal or global significance of the topic, discussing why it was chosen for investigation and its broader importance.
State the aim of the investigation and your approach to determining the answer to the research question.
See here to get a glimpse of the matter.
Research question
Clearly state the research question for your extended essay. For example: To what extent is the performance of the k-means clustering algorithm in unsupervised learning influenced by the initial placement algorithm, the number of features, and the number of clusters?
Specify the different factors that you will take into account in your study (above the initial placement algorithm, the number of features, and the number of clusters).
Describe the method used in the investigation and explain why is it the most suitable for exploring the research question.
Avoid choosing futuristic topics, that won't be supported by enough data.
Formulate a hypothesis.
Background information
Define key terms and methods essential for understanding the study. Offer clarifications or simplified explanations linking to the research question.
The language employed should reflect a technical proficiency while also showcasing your understanding of the subject matter.
Support your explanations using formulas, graphs, diagrams, or other forms of graphical representation. Make sure that they are appropriately labeled.
You can provide a short rundown on how the different methods operate.
Make references to theory.
If possible, you are encouraged to use in-text citations throughout the background information section.
Explain the database selection and sampling method for research based on secondary data, ensuring its alignment with the research question.
Ensure all background information directly addresses the research question, focusing on relevant computer science concepts.
As seen in this exemplar.
Methodology
Provide a comprehensive description of your chosen approach to address the research question.
Outline detailed instructions on how the data collection was executed.
Differentiate between dependent and independent variables.
Discuss the controlled variables - the method and reason for controlling them.
Elaborate on the data sets - their source, sample size, features, codes, etc.
Explain your metrics and the meaning behind obtained values.
Collect enough data to ensure the reliability of your findings.
Again, you are encouraged to use graphical representation to explain your methodology.
Check out the methodology here.
Results
Display your findings in tables or using graphs and diagrams.
The analysis should go further than simply translating the results into words but should look to explain the underlying reasons for the obtained results - explain the meaning between the obtained data and interpret trends and anomalies.
If applicable, determine the strength of the correlation between the independent and dependent variables.
If several models/methods were applied, you should compare them and comment on which gave the most accurate results.
Form mini conclusions relating to the research question and the hypothesis.
Ensure a logical structure consisting of arguments, proofs, and their interpretation.
You can use this essay for reference.
Conclusion
Restate the essay's aim to ensure clarity and remind the reader of the primary objective.
Provide an overview of the depth of analysis conducted on the research topic.
Clearly present the answer to the research question based on the findings and analysis.
Incorporate experimental values obtained from the analysis section, illustrating the trends observed.
Consider the uncertainties present in the study and their potential impact on the results, providing insight into the level of confidence in the findings.
Compare the experimental values obtained with existing literature or known standards, highlighting any discrepancies or agreements (if applicable)
Ensure that the conclusion does not introduce new information but effectively summarizes the key findings and insights derived from the research.
This is a good conclusion.
Evaluation
You are expected to evaluate your approach to answering the research question.
Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the entire study, and categorize errors. Next, state their relevance and impact on the results.
Show awareness of the reliability of the used sources.
Take into account factors that could have influenced the findings.
Propose improvements and extensions to your essay. For instance, you could suggest repeating the study by applying a different methodology.
This EE is worth taking a look at.
Bibliography and appendices
These parts are not included in the word count.
In the bibliography, you should make a detailed list of all sources used in your investigation in alphabetical order. Decide on one style of referencing.
The appendices will serve as a place for additional tables of data etc.
You are now one step closer to writing a perfect extended essay! For more inspiration head to the Clastify website and check out the remaining Computer Science exemplars. You can also see our detailed breakdown of the Computer Science EE assessment criteria here.
Is it finally time to start working on your Computer Science extended essay? Clastify comes to the rescue! Below you will find tips on preparing a high-scoring essay, drawing from our experience with IB coursework. We also provided you with the linked exemplars. While we suggest this framework based on our experience of assisting students in achieving top-rated essays, feel free to adapt the guide below to your preferences.
Computer Science EE format and structure
The extended essay is a 4,000 words investigation that should consist of the following parts:
Title page and table of contents
On the title page, you will include the topic of your investigation, the research question, the subject, and the word count.
The next page should be the table of contents with all subsections of your essay along with the page numbering.
Introduction
Provide a concise overview of the topic, and introduce the most relevant concepts from the area of computer science.
Explain the personal or global significance of the topic, discussing why it was chosen for investigation and its broader importance.
State the aim of the investigation and your approach to determining the answer to the research question.
See here to get a glimpse of the matter.
Research question
Clearly state the research question for your extended essay. For example: To what extent is the performance of the k-means clustering algorithm in unsupervised learning influenced by the initial placement algorithm, the number of features, and the number of clusters?
Specify the different factors that you will take into account in your study (above the initial placement algorithm, the number of features, and the number of clusters).
Describe the method used in the investigation and explain why is it the most suitable for exploring the research question.
Avoid choosing futuristic topics, that won't be supported by enough data.
Formulate a hypothesis.
Background information
Define key terms and methods essential for understanding the study. Offer clarifications or simplified explanations linking to the research question.
The language employed should reflect a technical proficiency while also showcasing your understanding of the subject matter.
Support your explanations using formulas, graphs, diagrams, or other forms of graphical representation. Make sure that they are appropriately labeled.
You can provide a short rundown on how the different methods operate.
Make references to theory.
If possible, you are encouraged to use in-text citations throughout the background information section.
Explain the database selection and sampling method for research based on secondary data, ensuring its alignment with the research question.
Ensure all background information directly addresses the research question, focusing on relevant computer science concepts.
As seen in this exemplar.
Methodology
Provide a comprehensive description of your chosen approach to address the research question.
Outline detailed instructions on how the data collection was executed.
Differentiate between dependent and independent variables.
Discuss the controlled variables - the method and reason for controlling them.
Elaborate on the data sets - their source, sample size, features, codes, etc.
Explain your metrics and the meaning behind obtained values.
Collect enough data to ensure the reliability of your findings.
Again, you are encouraged to use graphical representation to explain your methodology.
Check out the methodology here.
Results
Display your findings in tables or using graphs and diagrams.
The analysis should go further than simply translating the results into words but should look to explain the underlying reasons for the obtained results - explain the meaning between the obtained data and interpret trends and anomalies.
If applicable, determine the strength of the correlation between the independent and dependent variables.
If several models/methods were applied, you should compare them and comment on which gave the most accurate results.
Form mini conclusions relating to the research question and the hypothesis.
Ensure a logical structure consisting of arguments, proofs, and their interpretation.
You can use this essay for reference.
Conclusion
Restate the essay's aim to ensure clarity and remind the reader of the primary objective.
Provide an overview of the depth of analysis conducted on the research topic.
Clearly present the answer to the research question based on the findings and analysis.
Incorporate experimental values obtained from the analysis section, illustrating the trends observed.
Consider the uncertainties present in the study and their potential impact on the results, providing insight into the level of confidence in the findings.
Compare the experimental values obtained with existing literature or known standards, highlighting any discrepancies or agreements (if applicable)
Ensure that the conclusion does not introduce new information but effectively summarizes the key findings and insights derived from the research.
This is a good conclusion.
Evaluation
You are expected to evaluate your approach to answering the research question.
Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the entire study, and categorize errors. Next, state their relevance and impact on the results.
Show awareness of the reliability of the used sources.
Take into account factors that could have influenced the findings.
Propose improvements and extensions to your essay. For instance, you could suggest repeating the study by applying a different methodology.
This EE is worth taking a look at.
Bibliography and appendices
These parts are not included in the word count.
In the bibliography, you should make a detailed list of all sources used in your investigation in alphabetical order. Decide on one style of referencing.
The appendices will serve as a place for additional tables of data etc.
You are now one step closer to writing a perfect extended essay! For more inspiration head to the Clastify website and check out the remaining Computer Science exemplars. You can also see our detailed breakdown of the Computer Science EE assessment criteria here.
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