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A well-crafted research question is a necessity for a successful Extended Essay. In this post, we will provide you with a guide on choosing a research question as well as examples of strong EE research questions.
EE Research Questions Guide + Examples
Check out Clastify's research question generator if you need some help getting started on brainstorming your topic! If you already have a research question in mind, feel free to check out our research question evaluator instead to get feedback on what's good about your research question and what can be improved.
A guide to choosing a strong EE research question
Identify your interests
Before you even start thinking of formulating your research question you should consider the area that you're even interested in exploring. Start by identifying topics within a subject you enjoy. Choose an area that genuinely interests you, as the EE is a lengthy journey involving countless hours of research, investigation, and writing to produce a 4,000-word academic piece. Choosing a topic you’re passionate about not only makes the process more enjoyable but also sets you up to perform better. When you pursue a topic you care about, the EE journey becomes much more engaging and manageable.
For example, if you’re interested in biology, you might investigate how environmental changes affect local ecosystems or examine the effectiveness of certain antibiotics against resistant bacteria. In history, you could explore the impact of propaganda or analyze the causes and effects of a specific revolution.
While technically possible, we do not recommend choosing a topic in a subject you haven't studied. Without a foundation in the subject, you’ll likely spend extra time learning key concepts, which can make the process more challenging and time-consuming.
Conduct preliminary research
Once you've identified a broad topic area within a subject you enjoy, the next step is to conduct some preliminary research to see what information is available. Start by exploring credible sources like academic articles, books, and reputable databases to get an overview of the current research in your area of interest. This initial research helps you understand the existing knowledge on your topic, identify gaps or unique angles, and determine how feasible it will be to explore your chosen area in depth. Based on what you find, you’ll be able narrow down your topic.
For example, if you’re interested in biology and start with a general topic revolving around antibiotics, preliminary research might suggest narrowing it down to the effectiveness of a specific antibiotic in treating antibiotic-resistant bacteria strains.
In history, if your initial interest was the impact of propaganda, reading widely might reveal fascinating details about how propaganda targeted specific groups. This could lead you to a more focused topic like how Nazi propaganda shaped attitudes in Germany.
Formulate a research question
After identifying and narrowing down your topic, it’s time to finally craft a specific research question. This question should be clear, focused, and allow for in-depth critical analysis. When creating your question, ensure it’s not too broad, as this can lead to an overwhelming amount of information, or too narrow, which may limit the depth of your analysis. Aim for a question that allows you to explore your topic fully within the 4,000-word limit while maintaining a focused and cohesive argument.
For example, if you narrowed down your topic to the effectiveness of antibiotics in treating resistant bacteria, you could refine it by focusing on a specific antibiotic or a particular strain of bacteria. A focused research question could be: “How effective is vancomycin in treating infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)?” This allows you to delve deep into the mechanisms of resistance and the ongoing efforts to combat MRSA, while also ensuring the topic remains manageable.
If you narrowed down your topic to the role of propaganda in Nazi Germany, you could refine your topic to a more specific question like: “How did Nazi propaganda between 1933 and 1939 influence public perceptions of Jewish people in Germany?” This question focuses on a specific time period and a targeted group, enabling a more focused and critical analysis of the role of propaganda in shaping societal views.
It is very important that there are sufficient sources available to support your research question. Hence, conduct further research and identify specific sources that you will be able to incorporate into your research paper to support your argumentation. Ensure you collect a diverse range of sources, providing various points of view, as this will allow for a well-balanced investigation.
Set up a meeting with your supervisor
Once you have a draft of your research question, discuss it with your supervisor in your first meeting. They can provide valuable feedback, help you refine your question, and ensure it meets the IB’s requirements.
Even if you haven’t finalized your research question, don’t hesitate to schedule a meeting with your supervisor. If you’re feeling uncertain or struggling to find a topic or formulate a research question, your supervisor can offer valuable assistance and guidance. They are there to help you navigate this process and ensure you’re on the right track
Remember, selecting an Extended Essay topic is a challenging process, and it's perfectly normal to find yourself changing your topic or revising your research question multiple times. This can understandably lead to feelings of stress or anxiety, but don’t worry; it’s all part of the EE journey. If you find that there aren’t enough sources to support a topic you initially hoped to explore, don’t let it discourage you. Stay positive and keep exploring new ideas. Your perseverance will ultimately lead you to a topic that resonates with you and fulfills all the requirements.
Research question examples
To give you a better idea of how a strong EE research question looks like, we've provided a few examples of well-crafted research questions along with explanations.
Why it's good: This question targets a specific scientific investigation involving clearly identified variables: phytochemicals (resveratrol, glyceollin, EGCG), a bacterial strain (S. aureus), and a comparative treatment (Ciprofloxacin). It also defines the experimental model (Bacillus subtilis), anchoring the inquiry in a realistic laboratory setting. The command term "to what extent" encourages a nuanced, evaluative approach
''To what extent were the Nuremberg Trials defendants afforded a fair due process?"
Why it's good: This question focuses on a historically significant legal event and raises a key ethical and judicial issue: the fairness of legal procedures in the aftermath of World War II. The command term "to what extent" prompts a balanced, analytical evaluation – encouraging students to consider arguments on both sides. The question invites exploration of legal principles, historical context, and differing perspectives, making it suitable for a thoughtful and well-supported historical inquiry.
Why it's good: This is a strong question because it focuses on a clear business move – Google expanding into wearables – and asks about its impact on something that is measurable: profitability. Using the phrase “to what extent” invites a balanced discussion, where you can explore both the positive outcomes (like increased revenue, new customers, or ecosystem growth) and possible downsides (like high R&D costs or tough competition from Apple and Samsung). It gives you room to look at real data, compare trends over time, and think critically about whether this strategy is actually paying off for Google. It’s specific, relevant, and encourages an in-depth analysis.
Why it's good: This is a strong question because it focuses on a specific character (Tyler Durden) and how he uses language to shape the film’s themes. It invites a detailed analysis of rhetoric – how Tyler’s speeches, tone, and word choices make violence, raw masculinity, and primal behavior seem appealing or even necessary. The question is rooted in a clear text (Fight Club) and opens up space to explore deeper ideas about identity, social critique, and rebellion. It encourages close reading of the film’s dialogue and visuals, while also connecting to big-picture concepts like toxic masculinity or anti-consumerism.
Why it's good: This is a strong research question because it focuses on a real-world issue – sustainable urban development – while narrowing it down to two specific areas within a single city. That keeps the investigation focused and manageable. The phrase “to what extent” encourages a balanced evaluation, asking you to weigh how successful Frankfurt has been. It opens up room to explore different aspects of sustainability: environmental design, public transport, energy efficiency, green spaces, and even social inclusion. By comparing Riedberg and Praunheim, the question also allows for critical thinking about how strategies may vary across neighborhoods and what that says about the city’s overall commitment.
"To what extent does the tension being applied on a wire affect the resonance frequency?"
Why it's good: This question works well because it’s focused, measurable, and rooted in a clear scientific concept: the relationship between tension and resonance frequency. It opens the door for a practical experiment and data analysis, making it great for a physics investigation that combines theory with hands-on testing.
Examples for each subject
Below you'll find links to posts that provide strong EE research question examples for specific subjects:
We hope you found this post helpful. For more useful materials associated with the IB, check out the wide variety of IA, EE and TOK exemplars available at Clastify and other guides available on our blog.
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