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Choosing a good Extended Essay topic is crucial. A well-chosen topic allows for a thorough investigation and keeps you interested throughout the entire writing process. In this post, we’ll guide you through key steps to help you select a topic that sets you up for success in the EE.
How to choose an Extended Essay topic?
Identify your interests
Start by exploring 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 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.
Good and bad examples of EE research questions
''How important was the role of the feminist movement in 1960s America in shaping the cultural acceptance of women in the workforce?"
- Why it's good: This question addresses a specific movement (feminism) and a clear cultural change (acceptance of women in the workforce). The topic is clear and the command term ''how important'' facilitates an in-depth, analytical discussion, requiring students to consider and weigh various approaches.
''How does the use of color symbolism in The Great Gatsby enhance the theme of the American Dream?"
- Why it's good: This question is focused on a specific theme in a single novel, allowing for a close analysis of the author's literary techniques (color symbolism) and their relation to a central theme. It’s a manageable and focused topic with sufficient literary criticism available.
''What are the effects of climate change?''
- Why it's bad: This question is far too broad and does not provide a clear direction for analysis. It asks for a general description of the effects, which could range from rising temperatures to the impact on biodiversity, weather patterns, and human populations. A more focused and analytical question would be: "To what extent has climate change contributed to the increase in frequency and severity of natural disasters in the last 50 years?" This invites an investigation of a specific impact and its significance, promoting a more detailed and critical discussion.
''What are the main features of Renaissance art?''
- Why it's bad: This question is descriptive and prompts a simple list of features rather than a critical evaluation or analysis of their significance. It doesn’t promote deeper discussion about how or why these features are important, or their impact on the development of art. A more analytical question would be: "To what extent did the use of perspective in Renaissance art influence the evolution of Western art?" This focuses on a specific feature and its lasting impact, encouraging a deeper exploration of artistic development.
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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