What is the Extended Essay?
VERY GENERAL INFORMATION
The Extended Essay is an independent, self-directed, 4000-word research paper. It's an opportunity to stretch your intellectual muscles and explore a topic that truly fascinates you. The area of research must be chosen from one of your six Diploma Program subjects.
For further information on the nature of the EE, your responsibilities, and the process for conducting research, check out the guides below.
The Extended Essay is an independent, self-directed, 4000-word research paper. It's an opportunity to stretch your intellectual muscles and explore a topic that truly fascinates you. The area of research must be chosen from one of your six Diploma Program subjects.
For further information on the nature of the EE, your responsibilities, and the process for conducting research, check out the guides below.
E.E. Excellent Examples
Biology 1 - Comment
Biology 2
Chemistry 1 - Comment
Chemistry 2
Economics 1 - Comment
Economics 2
English Literature 1 - Comment
English Literature 2
History 1 - Comment
History 2
Mathematics 1 - Comment
Mathematics 2 - Comment
Visual arts 1 - Comment
Visual arts 2 - Comment
Biology 2
Chemistry 1 - Comment
Chemistry 2
Economics 1 - Comment
Economics 2
English Literature 1 - Comment
English Literature 2
History 1 - Comment
History 2
Mathematics 1 - Comment
Mathematics 2 - Comment
Visual arts 1 - Comment
Visual arts 2 - Comment
Resources for your Research
A Note on Print Resources
You may find print resources suitable for your topic by looking through Follett on the library computers. You are free to borrow books for the duration of your research, so long as those books have not been requested by anyone else. The library also has a number of magazines you may wish to borrow. Additionally, sometimes we have funds to purchase books that students need for the extended essay, but you need to give us enough time to complete this process. (Depending on the book, it can take anywhere from several weeks to several months.)
Electronic Databases
There are a number of electronic resource databases available to help you with your research. Here are just a few to get you started.
Questia School is a huge online library of newspaper, magazine, and peer-reviewed journal articles, as well as full-text novels and scholarly texts. In addition the bank of information, Questia School provides research and writing tools and instructional videos to help you get through the research process.
Ebsco's Student Research Centre contains maps, primary sources, magazine and news articles. It is an excellent resource for cursory information on a variety of subjects.
Primary Sources Online
These resources may be useful for background information in many areas, but will be of particular interest to topics in history.
Library of Congress American Memory full and partial text, video and audio files from American history.
The Avalon Projects is a database of primary sources in law, history and diplomacy from Yale University Law School.
Federal Bureau of Investigation released records.
Euro docs online resources for European history.
Making of America a collection of documents on US history from the antebellum through reconstruction.
History Matters is an online gateway to primary web resources.
Ibiblio offers primary sources on WWII.
Resources for all subject areas
Directory of Open Access Journals is exactly like the title suggests. A wealth of high quality scholarly information on a variety of subjects.
Refseek is an academic search engine that finds information on webpages, in online journals, news sources, and encyclopedias.
You may find print resources suitable for your topic by looking through Follett on the library computers. You are free to borrow books for the duration of your research, so long as those books have not been requested by anyone else. The library also has a number of magazines you may wish to borrow. Additionally, sometimes we have funds to purchase books that students need for the extended essay, but you need to give us enough time to complete this process. (Depending on the book, it can take anywhere from several weeks to several months.)
Electronic Databases
There are a number of electronic resource databases available to help you with your research. Here are just a few to get you started.
Questia School is a huge online library of newspaper, magazine, and peer-reviewed journal articles, as well as full-text novels and scholarly texts. In addition the bank of information, Questia School provides research and writing tools and instructional videos to help you get through the research process.
Ebsco's Student Research Centre contains maps, primary sources, magazine and news articles. It is an excellent resource for cursory information on a variety of subjects.
Primary Sources Online
These resources may be useful for background information in many areas, but will be of particular interest to topics in history.
Library of Congress American Memory full and partial text, video and audio files from American history.
The Avalon Projects is a database of primary sources in law, history and diplomacy from Yale University Law School.
Federal Bureau of Investigation released records.
Euro docs online resources for European history.
Making of America a collection of documents on US history from the antebellum through reconstruction.
History Matters is an online gateway to primary web resources.
Ibiblio offers primary sources on WWII.
Resources for all subject areas
Directory of Open Access Journals is exactly like the title suggests. A wealth of high quality scholarly information on a variety of subjects.
Refseek is an academic search engine that finds information on webpages, in online journals, news sources, and encyclopedias.
Forms and such
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Tracking Resources
Diigo is a social bookmarking tool that allows you to save, share, and comment on what you find online. Diigo helps you with research by helping you keep track of articles, images, and websites, while also giving you the ability to highlight text, add notes and allow others to comment on what you find.
1. Go to diigo.com and click on Get Started Now! to create your account.
2. Click on "Tools" at the top of your screen and follow the instructions to put the Diigolet Bookmarklet on your browser toolbar or install the Web Highlighter for Chrome.
3. Go to My Groups to join your class group or click on Create a Group to start your own.
4. If you create your own group, remember to send an email to the other people you would like to join your group, including your advisor.
Now you're ready to start bookmarking and sharing!
1. Go to diigo.com and click on Get Started Now! to create your account.
2. Click on "Tools" at the top of your screen and follow the instructions to put the Diigolet Bookmarklet on your browser toolbar or install the Web Highlighter for Chrome.
3. Go to My Groups to join your class group or click on Create a Group to start your own.
4. If you create your own group, remember to send an email to the other people you would like to join your group, including your advisor.
Now you're ready to start bookmarking and sharing!
Finding sources
Finding reliable sources can be a challenge. However, knowing the following will help you on your search:
1. How to use the Dewey Decimal System
2. How to create search terms (this document will help)
3. The MJF Library Website
1. How to use the Dewey Decimal System
2. How to create search terms (this document will help)
3. The MJF Library Website
Scholarly vs popular sources
Journals and magazines are important sources for up-to-date information in all disciplines. In this guide we have divided periodical literature into four categories:
Scholarly
Substantive news or general interest
Popular
Sensational
Scholarly
Scholarly
Scholarly journals generally have a sober, serious look. They often contain many graphs and charts but few glossy pages or exciting pictures.
Scholarly journals always cite their sources in the form of footnotes or bibliographies.
Articles are written by a scholar or someone who has done research in the field.
The language of scholarly journals is that of the discipline covered. It assumes some scholarly background on the part of the reader.
The main purpose of a scholarly journal is to report on original research or experimentation to make the information available to the rest of the scholarly world.
Examples of scholarly journals: American Economic Review, Archives of Sexual Behavior, JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, Modern Fiction Studies
Substantive news or general interest
These periodicals may be quite attractive in appearance. Some are in newspaper format. Articles are often heavily illustrated and generally contain photographs.
News and general interest periodicals sometimes cite sources, a scholar, or a freelance writer.
The language of these publications is geared to any educated audience. There is no special training assumed, only interest and a certain level of intelligence.
They are generally published by commercial enterprises or individuals, although some come from professional organizations.
The main purpose of periodicals in this category is to provide general information to a broad audience of concerned citizens.
Examples of substantive news or general-interest periodicals: The Economist, National Geographic, The New York Times, Scientific American
Popular
Popular periodicals come in many formats, although they are often somewhat slick and attractive in appearance and have many graphics.
These publications rarely, if ever, cite sources. Information published in such journals is often second- or third-hand, and the original source is sometimes obscured.
Articles are usually very short, written in simple language, and designed to meet a minimal education level. There is generally little depth to the content of these articles.
Articles are written by staff members or freelance writers.
The main purpose of popular periodicals is to entertain the reader, sell products (their own or their advertisers'), and/or promote a viewpoint.
Examples of popular periodicals: Ebony, Parents, People, Reader's Digest, Sports Illustrated, Time, Vogue
Sensational
Sensational periodicals come in a variety of styles but often use a newspaper format.
The language is elementary and occasionally inflammatory or sensational. They assume a certain gullibility in their audience.
The main purpose of sensational magazines seems to be to arouse curiosity and cater to popular superstitions. They often do so with flashy headlines designed to astonish (e.g., "Half-man Half-woman Makes Self Pregnant").
Examples of sensational periodicals: The Globe, The National Enquirer, The Star, Weekly World News
Scholarly
Substantive news or general interest
Popular
Sensational
Scholarly
Scholarly
Scholarly journals generally have a sober, serious look. They often contain many graphs and charts but few glossy pages or exciting pictures.
Scholarly journals always cite their sources in the form of footnotes or bibliographies.
Articles are written by a scholar or someone who has done research in the field.
The language of scholarly journals is that of the discipline covered. It assumes some scholarly background on the part of the reader.
The main purpose of a scholarly journal is to report on original research or experimentation to make the information available to the rest of the scholarly world.
Examples of scholarly journals: American Economic Review, Archives of Sexual Behavior, JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, Modern Fiction Studies
Substantive news or general interest
These periodicals may be quite attractive in appearance. Some are in newspaper format. Articles are often heavily illustrated and generally contain photographs.
News and general interest periodicals sometimes cite sources, a scholar, or a freelance writer.
The language of these publications is geared to any educated audience. There is no special training assumed, only interest and a certain level of intelligence.
They are generally published by commercial enterprises or individuals, although some come from professional organizations.
The main purpose of periodicals in this category is to provide general information to a broad audience of concerned citizens.
Examples of substantive news or general-interest periodicals: The Economist, National Geographic, The New York Times, Scientific American
Popular
Popular periodicals come in many formats, although they are often somewhat slick and attractive in appearance and have many graphics.
These publications rarely, if ever, cite sources. Information published in such journals is often second- or third-hand, and the original source is sometimes obscured.
Articles are usually very short, written in simple language, and designed to meet a minimal education level. There is generally little depth to the content of these articles.
Articles are written by staff members or freelance writers.
The main purpose of popular periodicals is to entertain the reader, sell products (their own or their advertisers'), and/or promote a viewpoint.
Examples of popular periodicals: Ebony, Parents, People, Reader's Digest, Sports Illustrated, Time, Vogue
Sensational
Sensational periodicals come in a variety of styles but often use a newspaper format.
The language is elementary and occasionally inflammatory or sensational. They assume a certain gullibility in their audience.
The main purpose of sensational magazines seems to be to arouse curiosity and cater to popular superstitions. They often do so with flashy headlines designed to astonish (e.g., "Half-man Half-woman Makes Self Pregnant").
Examples of sensational periodicals: The Globe, The National Enquirer, The Star, Weekly World News
CRAP to evaluate your sources
Currency, Relevance, Authority, Purpose
Currency: Is the information current?
Ask:
When was the text published? When was it last updated?
Relevance: Does the Website meet my needs?
Ask:
How does this source contribute to my knowledge on the topic?
Is there information that helps answer my research question?
Authority: Can you identify the author?
Ask:
Is the author an individual? What are his/her credentials or other qualifications?
Is the author a corporation, government body, or special interest group? Is the organization reputable in the field?
Accuracy: Is the information correct?
Ask:
Does the author identify their sources?
Does the site contain citations, footnotes, or a bibliography?
Do other sources corroborate the information on the site?
Purpose: What is the site's purpose?
Ask:
Why was the site created? Is it meant to inform? To persuade? To sell a product?
Who is the intended audience?
Is there any evidence of strong bias?
How Google Works YouTube video by Google
Watch this video to find out how Google retrieves your search results.
Anatomy of a Google Search PDF by Google
A simple explanation of how websites rise to the top of the Google results list.
Currency: Is the information current?
Ask:
When was the text published? When was it last updated?
Relevance: Does the Website meet my needs?
Ask:
How does this source contribute to my knowledge on the topic?
Is there information that helps answer my research question?
Authority: Can you identify the author?
Ask:
Is the author an individual? What are his/her credentials or other qualifications?
Is the author a corporation, government body, or special interest group? Is the organization reputable in the field?
Accuracy: Is the information correct?
Ask:
Does the author identify their sources?
Does the site contain citations, footnotes, or a bibliography?
Do other sources corroborate the information on the site?
Purpose: What is the site's purpose?
Ask:
Why was the site created? Is it meant to inform? To persuade? To sell a product?
Who is the intended audience?
Is there any evidence of strong bias?
How Google Works YouTube video by Google
Watch this video to find out how Google retrieves your search results.
Anatomy of a Google Search PDF by Google
A simple explanation of how websites rise to the top of the Google results list.