ib economics extended essay research questions

IB Extended Essay: Research Questions

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Command terms are the key terms and phrases used in examination questions. 

See the lists below for the terms and definitions for each IB subject

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Sample research questions

Source: IBO.org

Question Starters

Source: Oxford Course Companion, p.17

Research Questions: Class of 2020

Visual Arts: To what extent are the developments in American military aircraft nose designs from World War 2, Vietnam War and Gulf War more connected to individual crew preference than to the visual culture of America, 1940 - 1990?

English A: To what extent does William Shakespeare employ Elizabethan elements in Romeo and Juliet to build towards the eventual tragedy?

English A: To what extent did news media outlets, specifically CNN and Fox News, use different reporting methods to portray the candidates in the 2016 United States presidential election?

English A: How do aspects of real-life societies inform and shape A Clockwork Orange and The Handmaid’s Tale?

English A: How were African Americans portrayed in American sitcoms from 1980 to 2000?

English B: To what extent does 'The Fault in Our Stars' by John Green reflect 'The Hero's Journey'?

English B: To what extent does social media influence or have an effect on the english language usage?

English B: To what extent does the usage of AAVE affect an individual’s social status and mobility?

English B: To what extent does the development of the Super Bowl mirror specific aspects of American cultural, social, and economic trends?

Psychology: To what extent is the phenomenon of Karoshi, the overworking of office workers in Southeast Asia, interconnected with symptoms of depression?

Psychology: To What Extent is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, as an addition to traditional pharmacotherapy necessary for the successful treatment of Schizophrenia?

Psychology: To what extent is Δ9-THC an effective antidepressant that can be used to treat patients with depression?

Chinese B: 论新时代网络语言对现代汉语有何种影响？

Chinese B: 中国嘻哈歌手如何运用歌词传播中华文化？How do Chinese Hip-hop Artists Promote Chinese Culture through Lyrics?

Economics: To what extent have increases in rental prices (2017-2018) shrunken the market for Korean restaurants in Chegongmiao, Shenzhen?

Economics: How does President Moon's minimum wage policy affect convenience store market in Seocho 1-dong, South Korea?

Business: To What Extent Does the WeChat Application in Tencent's Business Model Play a Role in its Success?

Business: To what extent has Samsung's acquisition of Harman Kardon helped in increasing revenue and access to new markets?

Research Questions: Class of 2019

World Studies (Biology & Economics): How does mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) ecotourism support and strengthen local economies while ensuring the mountain gorillas’ health and survival?

English A, Category 3: How are skincare companies like: Neutrogena, Nivea, and Dove promoting white supremacy?

English B, Category 2B: To what extent do the changes in Cersei’s and Daenerys’s character development in the HBO series Game of Thrones show they are ultimately both motivated for and by power?

Visual Arts: To what extent did visual qualities in Coco Chanel’s Little Black Dress 1913, influence black dresses created by Chinese fashion designer Vivienne Tam and haute couture designer Yiqing Yin in regards to development in visual elements and societal acceptances in the 21st century?

Business Management: “To what extent was Apple Inc.’s acquisition of Beats Electronics, LLC an effective growth strategy?”

Math, Group 5: Investigating the Korean MERS outbreak using the SEIR model: How would hypothetical diseases be simulated if variables of the SEIR model were to be altered?

Business Management : To what extent has the benefits offered by Shekou International School helped them retain staff?

Economics: To what extent has the subsidy that was introduced in 2016 for hybrid electric vehicles led to a rise in demand for domestic car producers in Baden Württemberg?

Chemistry: How does the addition of salt (NaCl) which modifies the salinity affects the interfacial tension and stability of oil-in-water emulsion?

World Studies (History & Literature): What aspects of the anti-vaccination movement, and “The Crucible” relate to mass hysteria during the Salem Witch Trials?

Psychology: To What Extent Do Behavioural Addictions Fit The Criteria for ‘The Disease Model of Addiction’?

World Studies (Economics & Politics): To what extent has the political decision to host the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro affected Brazils’ economy and the financial welfare of its citizens?

Physics: To what extent does the volume of water affect the altitude gained by adding a constant pressure?

Psychology: To what extent are sociocultural and biological factors major causes of elderly people’s depressive behavior?

World Studies (History & Economics): To what extent did the LGBTQ community contribute to making attractive neighborhoods in the US and why are they pushed to leave them now?

Economics: To what extent is the cafe market in Shekou, Shenzhen, monopolistically competitive?

Economics: “Which is the most important factor that changes the real estate price rate in Magok-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul Korea?”

Business Management: To what extent has McDonald’s marketing strategies played a major role in becoming a prominent fast-food company in Korea?

World Studies (Physics & Geography): To What Extent is the Design of the Standard Houses that Gawak Kalinga Builds Able to Withstand the Seismic Hazards Present in Manila?

World Studies (Economics & Music): To what extent is electronic music’s economy expanding?

Visual Arts: To what extent did artistic influences and material sources impact the chair designs of Gerrit Thomas Rietveld Zig-Zag (1934), Verner Panton Panton S (1956), and Tom Dixon, Capellini, S Chair (1991)?

Business Management: To what extent has Apple Inc.’s prioritization of product innovation and advertising led to sales of iPhone X?

World Studies (Psychology & Geography): How do the combined effects of Socioeconomic Status and Diabetes increase prevalences of Alzheimer’s Disease in different regions within China (PRC)?

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Economics Extended Essay Topic Ideas for IB Students

Table of contents

• Writing Metier

The International Baccalaureate Extended Essay in Economics can cover a wide range of topics. However, the choice of topic must enable the student to apply a range of economic theories and concepts to address a research question. 

This will be a long read, but everyone will likely find a good idea of the topic and research question for their Economics extended essay.

Extended essay in Economics topic categories

The IB Economics EE is expected to demonstrate a good understanding of the subject and the application of economic theory to real-world situations .

Btw…if you need assistance, you can always count on our extended essay writing service at Writing Metier. We will help you with your Economics extended essay.

Here are 12 potential categories for IB Economics Extended Essay topics:

• Market Structures (e.g., Monopolies, Oligopolies)
• Market Failure (e.g., Externalities, Public Goods)
• Elasticity (e.g., Price Elasticity of Demand/Supply)
• Economic Cycles (e.g., Business Cycles, Economic Growth)
• Fiscal Policy (e.g., Government Spending, Taxation)
• Monetary Policy (e.g., Interest Rates, Money Supply)
• Trade Policies (e.g., Tariffs, Trade Agreements)
• Exchange Rates (e.g., Currency Fluctuations, Foreign Exchange Markets)
• Balance of Payments (e.g., Current Account, Capital Account)
• Measures of Development (e.g., GDP, HDI)
• Poverty and Inequality (e.g., Income Distribution, Poverty Alleviation Strategies)
• Sustainable Development (e.g., Environmental Sustainability, Social Sustainability)
• Consumer Behavior (e.g., Bounded Rationality, Heuristics)
• Nudge Theory (e.g., Choice Architecture, Incentives)
• Market Behavior (e.g., Bubbles, Herd Behavior)
• Wage Determination (e.g., Minimum Wage, Bargaining)
• Labor Markets (e.g., Unemployment, Labor Mobility)
• Human Capital (e.g., Education, Training)
• Resource Management (e.g., Renewable Resources, Conservation)
• Environmental Policies (e.g., Carbon Tax, Emissions Trading)
• Cost-Benefit Analysis (e.g., Environmental Impact Assessments)
• Healthcare Systems (e.g., Insurance, Public vs. Private Provision)
• Health Outcomes (e.g., Life Expectancy, Quality of Life)
• Health Policies (e.g., Regulation, Subsidies)
• Government Expenditure (e.g., Public Goods, Welfare)
• Taxation (e.g., Progressive vs. Regressive Taxes)
• Fiscal Federalism (e.g., Central vs. Local Government Finance)
• Firm Behavior (e.g., Mergers, Acquisitions)
• Market Regulation (e.g., Antitrust Laws, Competition Policy)
• Innovation and Technology (e.g., R&D, Patents)
• Financial Markets (e.g., Stock Markets, Bond Markets)
• Financial Instruments (e.g., Derivatives, Futures)
• Financial Regulation (e.g., Banking Regulation, Financial Crises)
• Economic Thought (e.g., Classical, Keynesian)
• Economic History (e.g., Historical Economic Development, Historical Crises)
• Methodological Issues (e.g., Econometrics, Qualitative vs. Quantitative Analysis)

Each of these categories can be further refined into specific research questions suitable for an extended essay . Below, I’ll be providing some ideas for your ease.

The choice of topic should be such that it allows for a systematic investigation that can be effectively analyzed using economic theories and data. 

It’s also essential to ensure that the topic is narrow enough to be addressed within the word limit and broad enough to allow for an in-depth analysis.

Economics IB EE Topic Ideas and Research Questions

Starting with Microeconomics, we’re zooming in on the nitty-gritty of individual markets and how they tick. 

Microeconomics Topics and Research Questions

We’ve got our classic battles of market structures—monopolies holding the fort, oligopolies playing chess with each other, and perfect competition being the ideal we rarely meet.

Then there’s the whole drama of market failure, where things get messy with externalities and public goods, and no one’s quite sure who should clean up the mess. 

And elasticity? It’s like the pulse check of the market, seeing how it reacts to price changes. It’s all about the small scale, the details, the fine print.

Market Structures

Topic:  The impact of local monopolies on consumer choice in rural areas.

Research Question:  How do local monopolies in rural areas affect consumer choices and prices?

Topic:  The competitive strategies of oligopolies in the smartphone industry.

Research Question:  What competitive strategies do oligopolies in the smartphone industry use to maintain market share?

Topic:  The prevalence of monopolistic competition in the fast-food industry.

Research Question:  How does monopolistic competition influence product variety in the fast-food industry?

Market Failure

Topic:  The role of government in addressing negative externalities in urban transport.

Research Question:  How effective are government interventions in reducing traffic congestion as a negative externality in urban areas?

Topic:  The effectiveness of public goods provision in rural education.

Research Question:  How does the provision of education as a public good affect educational outcomes in rural areas?

Topic:  The impact of plastic bag taxes on environmental externalities.

Research Question:  Have plastic bag taxes significantly reduced the environmental externalities associated with plastic waste?

Topic:  Price elasticity of demand for organic produce in urban markets.

Research Question:  How does the price elasticity of demand for organic produce affect consumer purchasing patterns in urban markets?

Topic:  Cross-price elasticity between electric cars and fossil fuel vehicles.

Research Question:  What is the cross-price elasticity of demand between electric cars and fossil fuel vehicles, and what does it imply for future sales?

Topic:  The elasticity of supply in the housing market during economic booms.

Research Question:  How does the elasticity of supply in the housing market respond to economic booms?

Macroeconomics Topics and Research Questions

But then we step back and look at the big picture with Macroeconomics. Here we’re talking about the economy’s heartbeat—those business cycles that keep us on our toes, wondering if we’re heading for a boom or bracing for a bust. 

Governments step in with their fiscal policies, wielding taxes and spending like surgeons trying to fix the economy without making it bleed out. 

And let’s not forget the central banks, playing with interest rates and money supply like some high-stakes game of poker.

Economic Cycles

Topic:  The impact of economic cycles on unemployment rates in industrial sectors.

Research Question:  How do different phases of economic cycles affect unemployment rates in the manufacturing sector?

Topic:  The correlation between economic growth and income inequality.

Research Question:  Is there a significant correlation between economic growth and the level of income inequality in developed countries?

Topic:  The role of technological innovation in driving economic cycles.

Research Question:  To what extent does technological innovation influence the length and magnitude of economic cycles?

Fiscal Policy

Topic:  The effectiveness of fiscal stimulus in recession recovery.

Research Question:  How effective are fiscal stimulus packages in accelerating recovery from recessions?

Topic:  The impact of taxation on small businesses and economic growth.

Research Question:  What is the impact of changes in small business taxation on economic growth?

Topic:  Government spending priorities and their impact on long-term economic growth.

Research Question:  How do government spending priorities influence long-term economic growth?

Monetary Policy

Topic:  The effects of interest rate changes on consumer spending.

Research Question:  How do changes in the central bank’s interest rate affect consumer spending patterns?

Topic:  The relationship between money supply growth and inflation.

Research Question:  What is the relationship between the growth of money supply and the rate of inflation in emerging economies?

Topic:  Central bank policies and their impact on currency exchange rates.

Research Question:  How do central bank policies in developed countries affect their currency exchange rates?

Each of these topics and research questions can be tailored to fit the specific requirements of an IB Economics Extended Essay , including the availability of data, the scope of the research, and the word count limitations. 

It’s important to conduct preliminary research to ensure that there is enough material to support the investigation.

Next stop, International Economics. This is where countries shake hands or sometimes wrestle over trade policies. 

International Economics Topics and Research Questions

Tariffs, trade agreements, and who gets the better deal—it’s like a global marketplace where everyone’s trying to haggle their way to prosperity. 

Exchange rates bounce around like ping pong balls, and the balance of payments tells us who’s spending too much on their credit card and who’s got money in the bank.

Trade Policies

Topic:  The impact of trade tariffs on the domestic automobile industry.

Research Question:  How have recent changes in trade tariffs affected the competitiveness of the domestic automobile industry?

Topic:  The effectiveness of free trade agreements in promoting economic growth.

Research Question:  What has been the impact of free trade agreements on the economic growth of member countries?

Topic:  The role of trade policies in protecting local agriculture.

Research Question:  How do trade policies affect the sustainability and profitability of local agricultural sectors?

Exchange Rates

Topic:  The effects of exchange rate fluctuations on the tourism industry.

Research Question:  How do exchange rate fluctuations impact the number of international tourists and tourism revenue?

Topic:  Currency wars and their impact on global trade.

Research Question:  What are the consequences of competitive devaluations, often referred to as ‘currency wars’, on global trade dynamics?

Topic:  The relationship between commodity prices and currency strength in exporting countries.

Research Question:  How do fluctuations in commodity prices affect the exchange rate of commodity-exporting countries?

Balance of Payments

Topic:  The impact of remittances on the balance of payments in developing countries.

Research Question:  What role do remittances play in the balance of payments of developing countries?

Topic:  Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and its effect on the current account balance.

Research Question:  How does FDI influence the current account balance of emerging economies?

Topic:  The effects of tourism on the balance of payments in small island economies.

Research Question:  What is the significance of tourism revenue in the balance of payments of small island economies?

Then we get into the meaty issues with Development Economics. 

Development Economics Topics and Research Questions

It’s all about asking, “Are we getting better?” We measure development with things like GDP and the Human Development Index, but they don’t always tell the full story. 

We’re also tackling the tough stuff like poverty, inequality, and whether we can keep growing without trashing the planet. It’s about making sure progress today doesn’t rob tomorrow.

Measures of Development

Topic:  The correlation between GDP growth and improvements in Human Development Index (HDI) scores.

Research Question:  Does GDP growth have a significant correlation with improvements in HDI scores?

Topic:  The effectiveness of Gross National Happiness (GNH) as an alternative development measure.

Research Question:  How does GNH compare to GDP as a measure of development, and what are its implications for policy-making?

Topic:  The impact of technological advancement on economic development indicators.

Research Question:  What is the impact of rapid technological advancement on traditional economic development indicators?

Poverty and Inequality

Topic:  The effectiveness of microfinance in reducing poverty in rural areas.

Research Question:  To what extent has microfinance contributed to poverty reduction in rural communities?

Topic:  Income inequality and educational outcomes in urban environments.

Research Question:  How does income inequality within urban areas affect educational outcomes?

Topic:  The role of gender inequality in economic development.

Research Question:  What is the impact of gender inequality on economic development in developing countries?

Sustainable Development

Topic:  The economic impacts of transitioning to sustainable energy sources.

Research Question:  What are the short-term and long-term economic impacts of transitioning to sustainable energy?

Topic:  The role of sustainable agriculture in promoting food security.

Research Question:  How does sustainable agriculture contribute to food security and economic development?

Topic:  The cost-benefit analysis of environmental conservation measures.

Research Question:  What are the economic benefits and costs associated with environmental conservation measures?

Behavioral Economics Topics and Research Questions

Now, let’s talk about what makes people tick with Behavioral Economics. This is where we realize that humans aren’t always the rational robots some theories make us out to be. 

We’ve got our quirks—bounded rationality, heuristics, and sometimes we follow the herd off a cliff in a market bubble. It’s fascinating because it’s about the psychology behind the economics.

Consumer Behavior

Topic:  The influence of social media on consumer purchasing decisions.

Research Question:  To what extent does social media influence consumer behavior in the fashion industry?

Topic:  The impact of brand loyalty on price elasticity.

Research Question:  How does brand loyalty affect the price elasticity of demand for consumer electronics?

Topic:  Behavioral factors influencing impulsive buying behavior.

Research Question:  What behavioral factors are most significant in influencing impulsive buying behavior in online retail?

Nudge Theory

Topic:  The effectiveness of nudges in promoting healthy eating habits.

Research Question:  How effective are nudging strategies in changing consumer eating habits in school cafeterias?

Topic:  The role of default choices in retirement savings plans.

Research Question:  What is the impact of default options on the participation rates in employer-sponsored retirement savings plans?

Topic:  The use of framing effects in environmental policy compliance.

Research Question:  How do framing effects influence compliance with environmental policies among households?

Market Behavior

Topic:  The impact of investor sentiment on stock market bubbles.

Research Question:  To what extent does investor sentiment contribute to the formation and bursting of stock market bubbles?

Topic:  Herd behavior and its influence on cryptocurrency markets.

Research Question:  How does herd behavior manifest in the trading patterns of cryptocurrency markets?

Topic:  The role of overconfidence in financial market trading.

Research Question:  What is the role of overconfidence bias in the decision-making processes of individual investors in financial markets?

Each of these topics and research questions should be carefully considered and refined to ensure that they are feasible for an extended essay , with a clear focus and available data for analysis.

Labor Economics Topics and Research Questions

Shifting gears to Labor Economics, we’re in the world of work. Wages aren’t just about money; they’re about bargaining power, fairness, and sometimes just sticking to the minimum. 

The labor market’s a tough crowd, with unemployment and the quest for the right job in the right place. 

And human capital reminds us that it’s not just about filling positions but nurturing talent through education and training.

Wage Determination

Topic:  The impact of minimum wage increases on small business employment levels.

Research Question:  What is the effect of minimum wage increases on employment levels in the small business sector?

Topic:  Wage bargaining and gender pay disparity in the technology sector.

Research Question:  How does wage bargaining contribute to the gender pay gap in the technology industry?

Topic:  The influence of trade unions on wage determination in the automotive industry.

Research Question:  What role do trade unions play in shaping wage determination in the automotive industry?

Labor Markets

Topic:  The effects of automation on unemployment rates in manufacturing.

Research Question:  How has the increase in automation impacted unemployment rates in the manufacturing sector?

Topic:  Labor market flexibility and its impact on economic resilience during recessions.

Research Question:  How does labor market flexibility affect a country’s economic resilience to recessions?

Topic:  The role of labor mobility in regional economic development.

Research Question:  What is the impact of labor mobility on economic development in economically depressed regions?

Human Capital

Topic:  The return on investment in higher education for various fields of study.

Research Question:  What is the comparative return on investment in higher education across different fields of study?

Topic:  The impact of vocational training programs on employability in the service sector.

Research Question:  How do vocational training programs affect employability and income levels in the service sector?

Topic:  The correlation between educational attainment and labor productivity.

Research Question:  How does the level of educational attainment correlate with labor productivity in the tech industry?

Breathing in some fresh air, we move to Environmental Economics. 

Environmental Economics Topics and Research Questions

Here’s where we figure out how to play nice with nature. Managing resources, setting up environmental policies like carbon taxes, and doing the math to see if the benefits of saving a forest are worth the cost. 

It’s economics going green.

Resource Management

Topic:  The economic viability of renewable energy sources in rural communities.

Research Question:  What are the economic challenges and benefits of adopting renewable energy sources in rural communities?

Topic:  The impact of water resource management on agricultural productivity.

Research Question:  How does effective water resource management influence agricultural productivity and economic sustainability?

Topic:  The effects of conservation policies on the forestry industry.

Research Question:  What economic impact do conservation policies have on the forestry industry?

Environmental Policies

Topic:  The effectiveness of carbon taxes in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Research Question:  How effective have carbon taxes been in achieving their intended reductions in greenhouse gas emissions?

Topic:  The economic impacts of emissions trading schemes on heavy industries.

Research Question:  What are the economic consequences of emissions trading schemes for heavy industries?

Topic:  The role of environmental regulations in shaping the automotive industry.

Research Question:  How have environmental regulations influenced innovation and economic outcomes in the automotive industry?

Cost-Benefit Analysis

Topic:  The cost-benefit analysis of urban green space preservation.

Research Question:  What are the economic costs and benefits of preserving urban green spaces?

Topic:  The economic evaluation of flood defense systems in coastal cities.

Research Question:  From an economic perspective, how do the costs and benefits of flood defense systems in coastal cities compare?

Topic:  The financial implications of biodiversity conservation programs.

Research Question:  What are the economic trade-offs associated with biodiversity conservation programs?

Health Economics Topics and Research Questions

Health Economics brings us to the crossroads of wealth and well-being. Healthcare systems are complex beasts, and we’re trying to tame them so that they can heal without causing financial heartache. 

We’re measuring health outcomes and life quality, all while navigating through the maze of health policies.

Healthcare Systems

Topic:  The economic effects of public versus private healthcare provision on quality of care.

Research Question:  How does the mode of healthcare provision (public vs. private) affect the quality of care and economic efficiency?

Topic:  The impact of insurance coverage on healthcare utilization rates.

Research Question:  How does the level of insurance coverage influence healthcare utilization rates among different socioeconomic groups?

Topic:  The cost-effectiveness of universal healthcare systems.

Research Question:  From a cost-effectiveness standpoint, how do universal healthcare systems compare to multi-payer systems?

Health Outcomes

Topic:  The economic burden of chronic diseases on healthcare systems.

Research Question:  What is the economic impact of the rising prevalence of chronic diseases on healthcare systems?

Topic:  The relationship between socioeconomic status and health outcomes.

Research Question:  How does socioeconomic status affect health outcomes across different regions?

Topic:  The impact of mental health services on workplace productivity.

Research Question:  What is the economic impact of providing mental health services on workplace productivity?

Health Policies

Topic:  The economic implications of pharmaceutical regulation on drug prices.

Research Question:  How do pharmaceutical regulations affect drug prices and the availability of new medications?

Topic:  The cost-benefit analysis of preventive healthcare measures.

Research Question:  What are the long-term economic benefits of investing in preventive healthcare measures?

Topic:  The effects of subsidies on the consumption of health-related goods.

Research Question:  How do subsidies for health-related goods (e.g., gym memberships, healthy foods) affect consumption patterns and health outcomes?

Public Sector Economics Topics and Research Questions

Public Sector Economics is where we see how the government tries to steer the ship. They’re spending on public goods and welfare, trying to keep the economy afloat without springing too many leaks. 

Taxation is a hot topic—progressive, regressive, who’s paying their way, and who’s getting a free ride? And with fiscal federalism, it’s a tug-of-war between local needs and central control.

Government Expenditure

Topic:  The impact of government spending on public goods on economic growth.

Research Question:  How does government expenditure on public goods such as infrastructure contribute to economic growth?

Topic:  The effectiveness of welfare programs in reducing poverty.

Research Question:  What has been the impact of welfare programs on poverty levels in developed countries?

Topic:  The economic consequences of military spending.

Research Question:  How does military expenditure affect the allocation of government resources and economic growth?

Topic:  The economic effects of progressive taxation on income distribution.

Research Question:  Does progressive taxation lead to a more equitable distribution of income?

Topic:  The impact of value-added tax (VAT) on consumer spending.

Research Question:  How does the implementation of VAT affect consumer spending patterns?

Topic:  The role of tax incentives in promoting renewable energy investments.

Research Question:  How effective are tax incentives in encouraging investment in renewable energy projects?

Fiscal Federalism

Topic:  The challenges of fiscal coordination between central and local governments.

Research Question:  What are the main challenges in achieving fiscal coordination between different levels of government?

Topic:  The impact of fiscal decentralization on local economic development.

Research Question:  How does fiscal decentralization affect economic development at the local level?

Topic:  The role of intergovernmental transfers in balancing regional disparities.

Research Question:  How do intergovernmental transfers help to address regional economic disparities?

Industrial Organization Topics and Research Questions

We’re watching firms and their power moves—mergers, acquisitions, and the regulatory hoops they have to jump through. 

It’s about keeping the market fair and innovative, making sure the big fish don’t eat all the little ones and that new ideas get a chance to grow.

Firm Behavior

Topic:  The economic rationale behind mergers and acquisitions in the tech industry.

Research Question:  What economic factors drive mergers and acquisitions in the technology sector?

Topic:  The impact of corporate governance on firm performance.

Research Question:  How does the quality of corporate governance affect firm performance and economic outcomes?

Topic:  The effects of vertical integration on market competition.

Research Question:  Does vertical integration by large firms lead to less competition in the market?

Market Regulation

Topic:  The effectiveness of antitrust laws in promoting fair competition.

Research Question:  How effective are antitrust laws in maintaining competitive markets?

Topic:  The economic impacts of deregulation in the airline industry.

Research Question:  What have been the economic outcomes of deregulation in the airline industry?

Topic:  The role of competition policy in fostering innovation.

Research Question:  How does competition policy influence the rate and direction of innovation in high-tech industries?

Innovation and Technology

Topic:  The relationship between R&D investment and economic performance in pharmaceuticals.

Research Question:  How does R&D investment correlate with economic performance in the pharmaceutical industry?

Topic:  The economic implications of patent laws on innovation.

Research Question:  What is the impact of patent laws on the rate of innovation in renewable energy technologies?

Topic:  The role of government subsidies in technological advancement.

Research Question:  How do government subsidies affect technological advancement in emerging industries?

Financial Economics Topics and Research Questions

Financial Economics is where the money’s at—literally. Stock markets, bond markets, the exotic world of derivatives—it’s all about the flow of money. 

And with financial regulation, we’re trying to keep the party responsible so that the financial hangover doesn’t hit too hard.

Financial Markets

Topic:  The impact of stock market volatility on economic decision-making.

Research Question:  How does stock market volatility influence corporate investment decisions?

Topic:  The role of bond markets in public debt management.

Research Question:  What role do bond markets play in the management of public debt?

Topic:  The effects of quantitative easing on financial markets.

Research Question:  How has quantitative easing affected financial markets post-2008 financial crisis?

Financial Instruments

Topic:  The use of derivatives in risk management by corporations.

Research Question:  How do corporations use derivatives to manage financial risk?

Topic:  The impact of futures trading on commodity price stability.

Research Question:  Does futures trading contribute to the stability of commodity prices?

Topic:  The role of cryptocurrency in the financial portfolio diversification.

Research Question:  How do cryptocurrencies affect the diversification of financial portfolios?

Financial Regulation

Topic:  The effectiveness of banking regulation in preventing financial crises.

Research Question:  How effective have banking regulations been in preventing another financial crisis?

Topic:  The economic effects of capital adequacy requirements on banks.

Research Question:  What are the economic effects of increased capital adequacy requirements for banks?

Topic:  The impact of international financial reporting standards on market transparency.

Research Question:  How do international financial reporting standards improve market transparency and economic outcomes?

Economic Methodology and History Topics and Research Questions

Lastly, we’ve got Economic Methodology and History. It’s a bit like time travel, seeing how past thinkers shape our current policies and how historical events steer us towards new economic shores. 

And methodology? It’s the toolbox that helps us figure out if what we’re doing actually makes sense, with all the number crunching and case studies that help us understand the why behind the what.

Economic Thought

Topic:  The influence of Keynesian economic policies on modern fiscal strategies.

Research Question:  How have Keynesian economic principles shaped contemporary fiscal policy-making?

Topic:  The relevance of classical economics in today’s market economy.

Research Question:  To what extent are the principles of classical economics applicable in the current market economy?

Topic:  The impact of behavioral economics on traditional economic models.

Research Question:  How has behavioral economics challenged the assumptions of traditional economic models?

Economic History

Topic:  The economic consequences of the 1970s oil shocks.

Research Question:  What were the long-term economic consequences of the oil shocks of the 1970s?

Topic:  The role of economic policies in the Great Depression.

Research Question:  How did economic policies contribute to the onset and duration of the Great Depression?

Topic:  The economic impacts of the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Research Question:  What were the economic impacts of the dissolution of the Soviet Union on Eastern European countries?

Methodological Issues

Topic:  The application of econometrics in evaluating fiscal policy.

Research Question:  How can econometric models be used to evaluate the effectiveness of fiscal policy?

Topic:  The challenges of qualitative analysis in economic research.

Research Question:  What are the main challenges associated with using qualitative analysis in economic research?

Topic:  The comparison of case study and statistical methods in economic analysis.

Research Question:  How do case study methods compare to statistical methods in the analysis of economic phenomena?

So, there you have it—a whirlwind tour through the interconnected world of economics extended essay topics. 

Each piece of the cake tells part of the story, and it’s only when you put them all together that you see the full tasty picture. What’s your take on all this?

If you need some other IB EE topic options, we also have many other articles with various extended essay topic ideas . Do not miss a chance to check some that may interest you.

Conclusion 

I would have continued with other options, but I believe this list of Economics extended essay topic ideas are quite enough for today. Good luck with your RQ selection, research and writing .

If you find a better article that provides more comprehensive and detailed suggestions for Economics extended essay topic ideas, share it with me 😉

If you need topic suggestions with outlines or assistance with writing a custom IB Economics EE, our IB experts at Writing Metier are always ready to assist you.

Simply contact us using our contact form or fill out the order form with details to your economics extended essay and our IB experts will land you a hand.

Free topic suggestions

Vasy kafidoff.

Vasyl Kafidoff is a co-founder and CEO at WritingMetier. He is interested in education and how modern technology makes it more accessible. He wants to bring awareness about new learning possibilities as an educational specialist. When Vasy is not working, he’s found behind a drum kit.

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, the complete ib extended essay guide: examples, topics, and ideas.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

IB students around the globe fear writing the Extended Essay, but it doesn't have to be a source of stress! In this article, I'll get you excited about writing your Extended Essay and provide you with the resources you need to get an A on it.

If you're reading this article, I'm going to assume you're an IB student getting ready to write your Extended Essay. If you're looking at this as a potential future IB student, I recommend reading our introductory IB articles first, including our guide to what the IB program is and our full coverage of the IB curriculum .

IB Extended Essay: Why Should You Trust My Advice?

I myself am a recipient of an IB Diploma, and I happened to receive an A on my IB Extended Essay. Don't believe me? The proof is in the IBO pudding:

If you're confused by what this report means, EE is short for Extended Essay , and English A1 is the subject that my Extended Essay topic coordinated with. In layman's terms, my IB Diploma was graded in May 2010, I wrote my Extended Essay in the English A1 category, and I received an A grade on it.

What Is the Extended Essay in the IB Diploma Programme?

The IB Extended Essay, or EE , is a mini-thesis you write under the supervision of an IB advisor (an IB teacher at your school), which counts toward your IB Diploma (learn more about the major IB Diploma requirements in our guide) . I will explain exactly how the EE affects your Diploma later in this article.

For the Extended Essay, you will choose a research question as a topic, conduct the research independently, then write an essay on your findings . The essay itself is a long one—although there's a cap of 4,000 words, most successful essays get very close to this limit.

Keep in mind that the IB requires this essay to be a "formal piece of academic writing," meaning you'll have to do outside research and cite additional sources.

The IB Extended Essay must include the following:

• A title page
• Contents page
• Introduction
• Body of the essay
• References and bibliography

Additionally, your research topic must fall into one of the six approved DP categories , or IB subject groups, which are as follows:

• Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature
• Group 2: Language Acquisition
• Group 3: Individuals and Societies
• Group 4: Sciences
• Group 5: Mathematics
• Group 6: The Arts

Once you figure out your category and have identified a potential research topic, it's time to pick your advisor, who is normally an IB teacher at your school (though you can also find one online ). This person will help direct your research, and they'll conduct the reflection sessions you'll have to do as part of your Extended Essay.

As of 2018, the IB requires a "reflection process" as part of your EE supervision process. To fulfill this requirement, you have to meet at least three times with your supervisor in what the IB calls "reflection sessions." These meetings are not only mandatory but are also part of the formal assessment of the EE and your research methods.

According to the IB, the purpose of these meetings is to "provide an opportunity for students to reflect on their engagement with the research process." Basically, these meetings give your supervisor the opportunity to offer feedback, push you to think differently, and encourage you to evaluate your research process.

The final reflection session is called the viva voce, and it's a short 10- to 15-minute interview between you and your advisor. This happens at the very end of the EE process, and it's designed to help your advisor write their report, which factors into your EE grade.

Here are the topics covered in your viva voce :

• A check on plagiarism and malpractice
• Your reflection on your project's successes and difficulties
• Your reflection on what you've learned during the EE process

Your completed Extended Essay, along with your supervisor's report, will then be sent to the IB to be graded. We'll cover the assessment criteria in just a moment.

We'll help you learn how to have those "lightbulb" moments...even on test day!  

What Should You Write About in Your IB Extended Essay?

You can technically write about anything, so long as it falls within one of the approved categories listed above.

It's best to choose a topic that matches one of the IB courses , (such as Theatre, Film, Spanish, French, Math, Biology, etc.), which shouldn't be difficult because there are so many class subjects.

Here is a range of sample topics with the attached extended essay:

• Biology: The Effect of Age and Gender on the Photoreceptor Cells in the Human Retina
• Chemistry: How Does Reflux Time Affect the Yield and Purity of Ethyl Aminobenzoate (Benzocaine), and How Effective is Recrystallisation as a Purification Technique for This Compound?
• English: An Exploration of Jane Austen's Use of the Outdoors in Emma
• Geography: The Effect of Location on the Educational Attainment of Indigenous Secondary Students in Queensland, Australia
• Math: Alhazen's Billiard Problem
• Visual Arts: Can Luc Tuymans Be Classified as a Political Painter?

You can see from how varied the topics are that you have a lot of freedom when it comes to picking a topic . So how do you pick when the options are limitless?

How to Write a Stellar IB Extended Essay: 6 Essential Tips

Below are six key tips to keep in mind as you work on your Extended Essay for the IB DP. Follow these and you're sure to get an A!

#1: Write About Something You Enjoy

You can't expect to write a compelling essay if you're not a fan of the topic on which you're writing. For example, I just love British theatre and ended up writing my Extended Essay on a revolution in post-WWII British theatre. (Yes, I'm definitely a #TheatreNerd.)

I really encourage anyone who pursues an IB Diploma to take the Extended Essay seriously. I was fortunate enough to receive a full-tuition merit scholarship to USC's School of Dramatic Arts program. In my interview for the scholarship, I spoke passionately about my Extended Essay; thus, I genuinely think my Extended Essay helped me get my scholarship.

But how do you find a topic you're passionate about? Start by thinking about which classes you enjoy the most and why . Do you like math classes because you like to solve problems? Or do you enjoy English because you like to analyze literary texts?

Keep in mind that there's no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing your Extended Essay topic. You're not more likely to get high marks because you're writing about science, just like you're not doomed to failure because you've chosen to tackle the social sciences. The quality of what you produce—not the field you choose to research within—will determine your grade.

Once you've figured out your category, you should brainstorm more specific topics by putting pen to paper . What was your favorite chapter you learned in that class? Was it astrophysics or mechanics? What did you like about that specific chapter? Is there something you want to learn more about? I recommend spending a few hours on this type of brainstorming.

One last note: if you're truly stumped on what to research, pick a topic that will help you in your future major or career . That way you can use your Extended Essay as a talking point in your college essays (and it will prepare you for your studies to come too!).

#2: Select a Topic That Is Neither Too Broad nor Too Narrow

There's a fine line between broad and narrow. You need to write about something specific, but not so specific that you can't write 4,000 words on it.

You can't write about WWII because that would be a book's worth of material. You also don't want to write about what type of soup prisoners of war received behind enemy lines, because you probably won’t be able to come up with 4,000 words of material about it. However, you could possibly write about how the conditions in German POW camps—and the rations provided—were directly affected by the Nazis' successes and failures on the front, including the use of captured factories and prison labor in Eastern Europe to increase production. WWII military history might be a little overdone, but you get my point.

If you're really stuck trying to pinpoint a not-too-broad-or-too-narrow topic, I suggest trying to brainstorm a topic that uses a comparison. Once you begin looking through the list of sample essays below, you'll notice that many use comparisons to formulate their main arguments.

I also used a comparison in my EE, contrasting Harold Pinter's Party Time with John Osborne's Look Back in Anger in order to show a transition in British theatre. Topics with comparisons of two to three plays, books, and so on tend to be the sweet spot. You can analyze each item and then compare them with one another after doing some in-depth analysis of each individually. The ways these items compare and contrast will end up forming the thesis of your essay!

When choosing a comparative topic, the key is that the comparison should be significant. I compared two plays to illustrate the transition in British theatre, but you could compare the ways different regional dialects affect people's job prospects or how different temperatures may or may not affect the mating patterns of lightning bugs. The point here is that comparisons not only help you limit your topic, but they also help you build your argument.

Comparisons are not the only way to get a grade-A EE, though. If after brainstorming, you pick a non-comparison-based topic and are still unsure whether your topic is too broad or narrow, spend about 30 minutes doing some basic research and see how much material is out there.

If there are more than 1,000 books, articles, or documentaries out there on that exact topic, it may be too broad. But if there are only two books that have any connection to your topic, it may be too narrow. If you're still unsure, ask your advisor—it's what they're there for! Speaking of advisors...

Don't get stuck with a narrow topic!

#3: Choose an Advisor Who Is Familiar With Your Topic

If you're not certain of who you would like to be your advisor, create a list of your top three choices. Next, write down the pros and cons of each possibility (I know this sounds tedious, but it really helps!).

For example, Mr. Green is my favorite teacher and we get along really well, but he teaches English. For my EE, I want to conduct an experiment that compares the efficiency of American electric cars with foreign electric cars.

I had Ms. White a year ago. She teaches physics and enjoyed having me in her class. Unlike Mr. Green, Ms. White could help me design my experiment.

Based on my topic and what I need from my advisor, Ms. White would be a better fit for me than would Mr. Green (even though I like him a lot).

The moral of my story is this: do not just ask your favorite teacher to be your advisor . They might be a hindrance to you if they teach another subject. For example, I would not recommend asking your biology teacher to guide you in writing an English literature-based EE.

There can, of course, be exceptions to this rule. If you have a teacher who's passionate and knowledgeable about your topic (as my English teacher was about my theatre topic), you could ask that instructor. Consider all your options before you do this. There was no theatre teacher at my high school, so I couldn't find a theatre-specific advisor, but I chose the next best thing.

Before you approach a teacher to serve as your advisor, check with your high school to see what requirements they have for this process. Some IB high schools require your IB Extended Essay advisor to sign an Agreement Form , for instance.

Make sure that you ask your IB coordinator whether there is any required paperwork to fill out. If your school needs a specific form signed, bring it with you when you ask your teacher to be your EE advisor.

#4: Pick an Advisor Who Will Push You to Be Your Best

Some teachers might just take on students because they have to and aren't very passionate about reading drafts, only giving you minimal feedback. Choose a teacher who will take the time to read several drafts of your essay and give you extensive notes. I would not have gotten my A without being pushed to make my Extended Essay draft better.

Ask a teacher that you have experience with through class or an extracurricular activity. Do not ask a teacher that you have absolutely no connection to. If a teacher already knows you, that means they already know your strengths and weaknesses, so they know what to look for, where you need to improve, and how to encourage your best work.

Also, don't forget that your supervisor's assessment is part of your overall EE score . If you're meeting with someone who pushes you to do better—and you actually take their advice—they'll have more impressive things to say about you than a supervisor who doesn't know you well and isn't heavily involved in your research process.

Be aware that the IB only allows advisors to make suggestions and give constructive criticism. Your teacher cannot actually help you write your EE. The IB recommends that the supervisor spends approximately two to three hours in total with the candidate discussing the EE.

#5: Make Sure Your Essay Has a Clear Structure and Flow

The IB likes structure. Your EE needs a clear introduction (which should be one to two double-spaced pages), research question/focus (i.e., what you're investigating), a body, and a conclusion (about one double-spaced page). An essay with unclear organization will be graded poorly.

The body of your EE should make up the bulk of the essay. It should be about eight to 18 pages long (again, depending on your topic). Your body can be split into multiple parts. For example, if you were doing a comparison, you might have one third of your body as Novel A Analysis, another third as Novel B Analysis, and the final third as your comparison of Novels A and B.

If you're conducting an experiment or analyzing data, such as in this EE , your EE body should have a clear structure that aligns with the scientific method ; you should state the research question, discuss your method, present the data, analyze the data, explain any uncertainties, and draw a conclusion and/or evaluate the success of the experiment.

#6: Start Writing Sooner Rather Than Later!

You will not be able to crank out a 4,000-word essay in just a week and get an A on it. You'll be reading many, many articles (and, depending on your topic, possibly books and plays as well!). As such, it's imperative that you start your research as soon as possible.

Each school has a slightly different deadline for the Extended Essay. Some schools want them as soon as November of your senior year; others will take them as late as February. Your school will tell you what your deadline is. If they haven't mentioned it by February of your junior year, ask your IB coordinator about it.

Some high schools will provide you with a timeline of when you need to come up with a topic, when you need to meet with your advisor, and when certain drafts are due. Not all schools do this. Ask your IB coordinator if you are unsure whether you are on a specific timeline.

Below is my recommended EE timeline. While it's earlier than most schools, it'll save you a ton of heartache (trust me, I remember how hard this process was!):

• January/February of Junior Year: Come up with your final research topic (or at least your top three options).
• February of Junior Year: Approach a teacher about being your EE advisor. If they decline, keep asking others until you find one. See my notes above on how to pick an EE advisor.
• April/May of Junior Year: Submit an outline of your EE and a bibliography of potential research sources (I recommend at least seven to 10) to your EE advisor. Meet with your EE advisor to discuss your outline.
• Summer Between Junior and Senior Year: Complete your first full draft over the summer between your junior and senior year. I know, I know—no one wants to work during the summer, but trust me—this will save you so much stress come fall when you are busy with college applications and other internal assessments for your IB classes. You will want to have this first full draft done because you will want to complete a couple of draft cycles as you likely won't be able to get everything you want to say into 4,000 articulate words on the first attempt. Try to get this first draft into the best possible shape so you don't have to work on too many revisions during the school year on top of your homework, college applications, and extracurriculars.
• August/September of Senior Year: Turn in your first draft of your EE to your advisor and receive feedback. Work on incorporating their feedback into your essay. If they have a lot of suggestions for improvement, ask if they will read one more draft before the final draft.
• September/October of Senior Year: Submit the second draft of your EE to your advisor (if necessary) and look at their feedback. Work on creating the best possible final draft.
• November-February of Senior Year: Schedule your viva voce. Submit two copies of your final draft to your school to be sent off to the IB. You likely will not get your grade until after you graduate.

Remember that in the middle of these milestones, you'll need to schedule two other reflection sessions with your advisor . (Your teachers will actually take notes on these sessions on a form like this one , which then gets submitted to the IB.)

I recommend doing them when you get feedback on your drafts, but these meetings will ultimately be up to your supervisor. Just don't forget to do them!

The early bird DOES get the worm!

How Is the IB Extended Essay Graded?

Extended Essays are graded by examiners appointed by the IB on a scale of 0 to 34 . You'll be graded on five criteria, each with its own set of points. You can learn more about how EE scoring works by reading the IB guide to extended essays .

• Criterion A: Focus and Method (6 points maximum)
• Criterion B: Knowledge and Understanding (6 points maximum)
• Criterion C: Critical Thinking (12 points maximum)
• Criterion D: Presentation (4 points maximum)
• Criterion E: Engagement (6 points maximum)

How well you do on each of these criteria will determine the final letter grade you get for your EE. You must earn at least a D to be eligible to receive your IB Diploma.

Although each criterion has a point value, the IB explicitly states that graders are not converting point totals into grades; instead, they're using qualitative grade descriptors to determine the final grade of your Extended Essay . Grade descriptors are on pages 102-103 of this document .

Here's a rough estimate of how these different point values translate to letter grades based on previous scoring methods for the EE. This is just an estimate —you should read and understand the grade descriptors so you know exactly what the scorers are looking for.

Here is the breakdown of EE scores (from the May 2021 bulletin):

How Does the Extended Essay Grade Affect Your IB Diploma?

The Extended Essay grade is combined with your TOK (Theory of Knowledge) grade to determine how many points you get toward your IB Diploma.

To learn about Theory of Knowledge or how many points you need to receive an IB Diploma, read our complete guide to the IB program and our guide to the IB Diploma requirements .

This diagram shows how the two scores are combined to determine how many points you receive for your IB diploma (3 being the most, 0 being the least). In order to get your IB Diploma, you have to earn 24 points across both categories (the TOK and EE). The highest score anyone can earn is 45 points.

Let's say you get an A on your EE and a B on TOK. You will get 3 points toward your Diploma. As of 2014, a student who scores an E on either the extended essay or TOK essay will not be eligible to receive an IB Diploma .

Prior to the class of 2010, a Diploma candidate could receive a failing grade in either the Extended Essay or Theory of Knowledge and still be awarded a Diploma, but this is no longer true.

Figuring out how you're assessed can be a little tricky. Luckily, the IB breaks everything down here in this document . (The assessment information begins on page 219.)

40+ Sample Extended Essays for the IB Diploma Programme

In case you want a little more guidance on how to get an A on your EE, here are over 40 excellent (grade A) sample extended essays for your reading pleasure. Essays are grouped by IB subject.

• Business Management 1
• Chemistry 1
• Chemistry 2
• Chemistry 3
• Chemistry 4
• Chemistry 5
• Chemistry 6
• Chemistry 7
• Computer Science 1
• Economics 1
• Design Technology 1
• Design Technology 2
• Environmental Systems and Societies 1
• Geography 1
• Geography 2
• Geography 3
• Geography 4
• Geography 5
• Geography 6
• Literature and Performance 1
• Mathematics 1
• Mathematics 2
• Mathematics 3
• Mathematics 4
• Mathematics 5
• Philosophy 1
• Philosophy 2
• Philosophy 3
• Philosophy 4
• Philosophy 5
• Psychology 1
• Psychology 2
• Psychology 3
• Psychology 4
• Psychology 5
• Social and Cultural Anthropology 1
• Social and Cultural Anthropology 2
• Social and Cultural Anthropology 3
• Sports, Exercise and Health Science 1
• Sports, Exercise and Health Science 2
• Visual Arts 1
• Visual Arts 2
• Visual Arts 3
• Visual Arts 4
• Visual Arts 5
• World Religion 1
• World Religion 2
• World Religion 3

What's Next?

Trying to figure out what extracurriculars you should do? Learn more about participating in the Science Olympiad , starting a club , doing volunteer work , and joining Student Government .

Studying for the SAT? Check out our expert study guide to the SAT . Taking the SAT in a month or so? Learn how to cram effectively for this important test .

Not sure where you want to go to college? Read our guide to finding your target school . Also, determine your target SAT score or target ACT score .

As an SAT/ACT tutor, Dora has guided many students to test prep success. She loves watching students succeed and is committed to helping you get there. Dora received a full-tuition merit based scholarship to University of Southern California. She graduated magna cum laude and scored in the 99th percentile on the ACT. She is also passionate about acting, writing, and photography.

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IB Economics EE examples

Filter exemplars, to what extent has the vehicular emissions scheme (ves) been effective in increasing the consumption of light electric vehicles between 2018 and 2020 in singapore, to what extent is the effectiveness of nudges in uk schools in order to increase higher gcse outcomes and is there any relation to school x, want to get full marks for your ee allow us to review it for you 🎯, to what extent did the covid-19 pandemic influence the levels of unemployment in kenya’s economy in 2020, to what extent does the provision of covid-19 vaccines by the government of malaysia through the national covid-19 immunisation programme (ncip) effective to recover the gdp and reduce the unemployment rate in malaysia, how are savings the major determinant of the productivity of home-based garment workers in south delhi, fast track your coursework with mark schemes moderated by ib examiners. upgrade now 🚀, following covid-19, which market structure best describes the structure of bangkok's cinema industry today, assessing the differences in economic performance between north and south korea caused by their contrasting economic systems, investigating the effect of china's recent steel cap policy on both global iron ore prices and brazil's iron ore export quantity, determined by analyzing the relationship between brazil's iron ore exports and china's steel production on prices from 2017-2021., to what extent have grain farmers in brandon, manitoba, canada, been positively affected by supply-side shocks in the wheat and rapeseed market following the russian invasion of ukraine, to what extent has the eu ban of russian coal imports impacted the export performance of indonesian coal to the eu, to what extent did the (first) covid-19 lockdown reduce negative externalities caused by car use in portugal, to what extent were canadian energy-rich provinces’ revenue losses from the oil crash of 2020 offset by gains in the net export market, to what extent did china’s tariffs on american seafood imports impact the export performance of pakistani seafood in china, what are the main factors that affect consumers’ demand for public transport in bratislava, to what extent has slovak government intervention been successful in reducing the negative externality resulting from cigarette consumption in slovakia, effect of seasonality on the real estate market in riga, what market structure best represents ice cream parlours in the old town of bratislava, how has the 'punjab regulation of wood based industries rules, 2019' enacted by the punjab government had an effect on the wood furniture manufacturers of nabha , are direct taxes the best way to address overconsumption of demerit goods, to what extent does the presence of other cocoa processing firms in cameroon’s cocoa processing industry affect the economy of the “sic cacaos”, to what extent has the covid-19 pandemic affected the pricing of the residential housing market in the austin-round rock metropolitan statistical area since march 2020”, to what extent did microcredit create economic growth and development in dhaka, bangladesh through the empowerment of women before and after the covid-19 pandemic, to what extent and why has covid-19 made india substitute cash with digital modes of payment through upi and what are its spillover effects, to what extent pm kisan samman nidhi yojana (pmksny) has affected debt, income and expenditure on education and healthcare raising the living standards of farmers in sitapura ramoli village and achanchukya village in jaipur from 2020-2021, what have been the economic consequences of covid-19 on the hotel industry in new york city, to what extent did selected implemented government policies in australia, france and singapore achieve optimal covid-19 vaccination rates in 2021, impact of the “make in india” campaign on growth and development of india., to what extent has the state of california government’s policy to permit electric vehicles in “high occupancy lanes” been effective in reducing negative externalities of internal combustion vehicles in los angeles city, to what extent has the extensive spread of social media changed consumer habits and therefore the composition of marketing activities of avon hungary from 2018 to 2021, to what extent is the recent introduction of toll gates within abu dhabi an effective response to market failure, to what extent has the provision of pmjay-cmchis health insurance scheme of 2018 improved the health and thereby the living conditions of the residents of jallipatti village, tiruppur district, india, how has the polish government’s 500+ policy impacted the standard of living in wilanow district in 2016-2019, the government regulation (lex uber bill) and its impact on the hire-car (uber) market 2019, how do weather conditions impact the price of mushrooms in two different localities in poland, to what extend does a vaping tax encourage cigarette smoking, how did covid-19 trigger an e-commerce turning point in the u.s, tax on fat to reduce healthcare cost in britian, examining government intervention to increase consumption of low-emission cars in germany, the effect of the imposition of the carbon cess on the electricity consumption of the sports good industry of meerut.

2016-2017 IB Extended Essay: Sample IB EE's

• Workshop 1: Getting started
• Workshop 2: EE Options
• Workshop 3: Selecting a topic
• Workshop 4:Research Questions
• Workshop 5: Supervisors and Reflections
• Finding Books & Ebooks
• Primary Sources
• Citation Guide
• Subject guidance
• Sample IB EE's
• Biology (2018 new rubric)
• Biology Light Intensity
• Does Age Have an Effect on Short-term Memory of 6 to 18 Year Old Students?

Chemistry: 

• Chemistry 1
• What are the Alternative Fuels for the Depleting Fossil Fuels and which is the Best Fuel in Accordance with the Energy Output?
• A Copper Ions
• Chemistry 3

Design Technology

• Does Hull Trim and Balance Affect the Speed of a Boat?

Individuals & Society:

• Market Form of the Retail Petroleum Supply Industry in Parklands
• Economics 1
• Economics 2
• Economics 3

I have an exemplar but the file is too big to upload.  If you are interested in this topic I can share the essay with you.

• Geography 2
• History EE (2018 new rubric)
• To What Extent was the Establishment of the State of Israel in Palestine in 1948, Influenced by Theodor Herzl?

Information Technology in a Global Society

• Philosophy 1
• Philosophy 2
• Philosophy 3
• Philosophy 4
• Psychology EE (2018 new rubric)
• Applied Behavior Analysis and Early Intervention: The Extent of Recovery from Autism
• Psychology 1
• Psychology 2
• Psychology 3

Social & Cultural Anthropology

• Social & Cultural Anthropology 1
• Social & Cultural Anthropology 2

World Religions

• To What Extent do the Core Scriptural Teachings of Sikhism Permit them to Marry Outside of the Religion?
• World Religions 1
• World Religions 2

Language Acquisition:

• French: Les Liaisons Dangereuses

Literature & Language 

•   Journeys in the Inferno and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz   
•   Toni Morrison 

Math: 

•   Cryptography and Rubik's Cube: An Investigative Analysis   
•   Pascal's Triangle 

Visual Arts: 

•   How Does the work of Yinka Shonibare Illustrate the Changing Role of African Art in a Global Society? 
• Ballet's Accessibility and Costumes Affecting Society's View of the Art Form
• Visual Arts 1
• Visual Arts 4

Interdisciplinary Essays:

Environmental Systems & Societies

• ESS Extended Essay (2018 new rubric)

World Studies

• World Studies EE History, Economics, & Politics  (2018 new rubric)
• Does the Production of Dairy and Meat from Dairy Cows in the United States affect the Environment and Well Being of Animals and Humans?
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100 IB Extended Essay Topic Ideas!

One of the biggest keys to the Extended Essay is choosing which subject you want to write your work in and developing that crucial research question. Read on to find inspiration for topics across a wide range of subjects.

Extended Essay: The Love/Hate aspect of the IB

One of the biggest keys to the Extended Essay is choosing which subject you want to write your work in and developing that crucial research question. Annoyingly, coming up with that idea and research question can be the toughest part of the entire process. Writing 4,000 words about something you are interested in is a big ask and it often feels impossible to narrow down your thoughts. To make everything super clear, here are 100 Extended Essay Topics for you to draw inspiration from! Use these as a springboard to create your own research question !

Get Support from A Top Tutor Today

At Lanterna we have over 300 tutors who smashed their Extended Essay. They know exactly how to get an A in your EE and can give you tips and tricks on how you can do the same. What are you waiting for? Get your own tutor today !

How to Begin Your IB Extended Essay

To make everything super clear, here are 100 Extended Essay Topics for you to draw inspiration from! Use these as a springboard to  create your own research question !

Get Support from a Top Tutor Today

At Lanterna, we have over 300 tutors who smashed their Extended Essay. They know exactly how to get an A in your EE and can give you tips and tricks on how you can do the same. What are you waiting for? Get your own tutor today!

10 Steps to Writing an Extended Essay

Before we look at specific topics for your essay, let’s recap the 10-steps you’ll need to follow to complete your extended essay.

1. Define the Topic and Draft the Research Question

2. Create a Timeline

3. Identify and gather Sources

4. Set Deadlines

5. Plan the structure according to the total word count

6. Evaluate

7. independent Research

8. Write the extended essay draft

10. Present

By following the steps above, you should be able to produce a logical and coherent rationale to follow when writing the extended essay for your IB diploma programme.

By starting with a solid research question, you’ll be able to put an extended essay of global significance together, from the research and writing process all the way through to your final submission with a favourable extended essay grade.

Below, we’re sharing 10 topics across 10 subjects to inspire your next IB extended essay.

1. How the change of habitat affects an X organism?

2. How does climate affect the growth of X plant?

3. Can photosynthesis take place without sunlight?

4. What is the effect of age and gender on the photoreceptor cells in the human retina?

5. How is climate change impacting the appearance of coral reefs?

6. An evaluation of how  antioxidants  work in our bodies?

7. Does hand sanitizer, hand soap or antibacterial wipes have the greatest ability to inhibit the growth of E. Coli?

8. To what extent do live cultures in yogurts/milk/other dairy products reduce the concentration of lactose present over the course of a 2 hour incubation period at x°C?

9. What is the relationship between  population density  between X and population size of X?

10. What is the relationship between indoleacetic acid, a growth hormone, and the growth of X (a crop)?

11. How does human influence impact an aquatic ecosystem?

12. How can one organize a pollution check along a X canal in X?

13. What is the effect of the increased ecological footprint in the  Amazon ?

14. What are the forest and woodland restoration in Siberia, Russia and which one is most effective?

15. How does human interference cause ecological imbalances in an X city/country/continent?

16. What is the impact of urban development on the  bee population  in X city?

17. What are the differences in the conversation efforts in Yosemite National Park (California, USA) and the Lake District National Park (UK)?

18. To what extent have healthcare policies in X country influenced their human population curve?

19. How have changes in environmental systems influenced the value system of X country?

20. How has X landfill site affected the surrounding terrestrial ecosystem?

21. What is the profitability of  airline companies ?

22. How does unemployment affect the market?

23. Why did X recession occur?

24. How did the financial Policy affect the economy in X?

25. How effective are government policies in reducing overconsumption of alcohol (specifically hard liquor)?

26. To what extent are public buses and subways substitute goods in a country?

27. How did the tax reform in country x affect its growth and development? (many countries to choose from)

28. To what extent was weak government policy responsible for the Latin American financial crisis of 1997?

29. How effective is the  Big Mac Index  in measuring purchasing power parity?

30. To what extent would the UK suffer from leaving the European Customs Union if Brexit happens?

31. Is there an association between viewing violence on television and the display of violent acts?

32. What motivational climate should a coach employ in order to achieve optimal performance in athletes?

33. How does  X hormone affect human behavior ?

34. Compare theories explaining altruism in human behaviour

35. Discuss short-term and long-term consequences of exposure to violence

36. Why do relationships change or end?

37. Discuss how  social variables (poverty, parenting, educational environment) may the affect cognitive environment.

38. To what extent do mirror neurons play a role in empathy? (2014)

39. To what extent does Mindfulness help people cope with General Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

40. To what extent is drug therapy effective in the treatment of bipolar disorder?

41. Does the British Parliamentary reforms act of 1832 deserve its title as the great reform act?

42. To what extent are there similarities in Hitler and Mussolini’s Rise to Power?

43. To what extent did Mao’s tackle the problems which he faced?

44. Was Tsar Alexander II of Russia reforms a success or failure?

45. To what extent was the bombing of Dresden in 1945 justifiable?

46. To what extent can  Sweden be considered neutral during WWII ?

47. The impact of structural economic weakness on the collapse of the Soviet Union.

48. How were women treated differently in 1920s and 1950s Great Britain?

49. Why did Israel win the  Six Day War  of 1967?

50. What role did economics play in the unification of Germany from 1834 to 1871?

English Literature

51. What are the Compare and Contrast Jane Austen Books?

52. How does Joseph Conrad’s portray Racism in A Heart of Darkness?

53. How does Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman critique today’s capitalist society? The American Dream?

54. To what extent does Chris McCandless in Jon Krakauer’s Into the Wild escape familial influence?

55. What are the similarities and differences between J.K. Rowling’s characterization of Severus Snape in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows?

56. How does Yaa Gyasi use structure in her novel Homegoing to portray the evolution of time?

57. What is the impact of the social context on Holden Caufield and Huckleberry Finn?

58. How does Sylvia Path’s use of Inanimate objects in Bell Jar?

59. How is the empowerment of Feminine portrayed in the Lord of the Rings?

60. Compare the political rhetoric as used in the inaugural addresses of George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump.

61. The design, construction and calibration of an apparatus for measuring lipid concentration in milk.

62. What is the effect of a change in the optimal lift on the horizontal gliding distance of an aircraft?

63. How does the sugar concentration affect the refractive index of water?

64. How does temperature affect the viscosity of X juice/soda?

65. Is the relationship between temperature and conductivity and insulators and conductors?

66. What is the Oberth Effect?

67. What is the temperature dependence of work performed on an AA battery?

68. How can the rotational frequency of a fan driven by a flame measure distance?

69. Do wine bottles of different shapes behave as Helmholtz resonators?

70. How does the diameter of a wheel affect stability in different weather conditions?

71. What factors influence the location of industries in country/city X?

72. An investigation into the significance of preserving the quality of water in a continent/country/city?

73. An investigation into the degree to which City X can be considered a Sustainable City/Community.

74. To what extent is Biodiversity being managed successfully in city X?

75. To what extent does the education and employment of women affect Country x’s fertility rate?

76. To what extent do gender, educational attainment, and working parameters influence obesity risk?

77. To what extent has urban development affected human thermal comfort levels in Country/city x (a country/city that has developed in a rapid rate over the past decades)?

78. To what extent is the Company x corporate waste management program effective, demonstrating environmental sustainability?

79. To what extent is biodiversity being managed successfully at National Park X?

80. What types of urban design encourage high rates of vandalism in X neighbourhoods?

81. The kinetics of Enzymatic Reactions.

82. How do Iron Intake Diets differ in X country?

83. What are the different factors that affect the iodine values in cooking oils?

84. What is the effect of standing time and temperate on the acid content in X juice or soda?

85. Can caffeine in tea or coffee be reduced?

86. What is the effect of temperature on the souring of milk?

87. What are the sources of error in calorimetry?

88. Does brushing your teeth affect the pH in your mouth after eating?

89. How does changing the concentration of the reagents affect the formation and spacing between Liesehang rings in the reaction between X chloride and X when conducted in a test tube?

90. What effect does the coating of aspirin tablets have on the hydrolysis of aspirin?

Social and Cultural Anthropology

91. How clothing relates to the cultural anthropology of X culture.

92. The extent to which social media networks affect different societies.

93. The relationship between ritual, myths and faith in an X society.

94. The history of rituals in X culture.

95. How different marriage rituals inform the cultural anthropology of X culture.

96. Climate change and its impact on the evolution of different creatures on the planet.

97. Understanding the social and cultural anthropology of the supernatural in X culture.

98. An analysis of body modification in relation to social and cultural anthropology.

100. Chaste systems and social ranks in societies.

There are so many class subjects that can form the basis of your extended essay, including these popular six subjects:

– Information technology

– Computer science

– Health science

– World studies

– Visual arts

– Business management

Extended essays are a great way to improve your writing skills in academic writing. Essays of a high standard that demonstrate critical thinking and in depth analysis can be submitted to academic journals. These have the potential to reach the global society.

Start Writing Your Extended Essay Topic

We hope this gave you some great inspiration for the variation of topics available for your Extended Essay . The research question you select is what will carry you through the entire process, so be sure to choose wisely!

Remember, if you are looking for more help with your Extended Essay, make sure to check out our guide which will tell you exactly how to plan, structure, research and write your Extended Essay!

Grab Free Extended Essay Resources!

No matter the subject groups in your diploma program, we’re here to help all of our IB students. Whether you’re writing about social and cultural anthropology, business management, design technology, or scientific methods for your IB diploma, Lanterna has you covered.

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The IB Extended Essay: Topic ideas and research Questions

• Details of the EE
• Topic ideas and research Questions
• Subject Guides & documents you need
• Writing a research paper
• Check the list of available subjects  here
• Read the IB's criteria for your subject
• Read an exemplar essay in your subject
• Decide on a topic within this subject
• This means you will need to do some research!
• During the first meeting with your advisor, discuss the research you've done, your ideas, and the requirements for your subject.
• Your revised research question proposal is due May 16.

Adapted from O'Farrell, Finbar.  Approach your assessment the IB Way: Extended Essay.  pg. 13

Examples of marked EEs in all subjects

• From the IB website Have a look at the specific subject you plan on writing your EE for a marked example. You will be able to identify what you need to be successful.

Design Technology

• Guide on writing an EE in DT The pdf explains everything clearly and is full of ideas and topics to write about.

Question: Has the introduction of new materials improved the performance of modern racing bicycles?

  Question:  What are the most ethical and efficient methods--through current technologies--private organizations can use to make Mars habitable for Human life?

History or Geography

Question : In what ways did the Cold War impact American public education? Question:   To what extent have Maori non-violent struggles for their land been effective? Question: How could the UN intervention in the Rwandan genocide be justified?  Question :Is it politically possible for the US government to win the drugs war? (Politics)

Question:  How are the depictions of Marie Antoinette in politics and portraiture significant to the French revolution and the fall of the French Monarchy? 

Question:  To what extent was film able to further pro-Nazi sentiment in Germany during the early 1930s to mid 1940s?

Question:  To what extent were the Vietnam War and cultural shifts occurring in the 1960s and early 1970s vital factors in the development of the student activism on college campuses in the United States and abroad?

Question:  To what extent was Matthew Perry’s 1853 arrival in Edo Bay the leading motivator for Japan’s rapid modernization during the Meiji Restoration?

Question:  What made the Federal Theatre Project such a success when after only four years of operation it was disbanded by the House of un-American Activities Committee?

Question:  To what extent were Kepler’s scientific discoveries revolutionary and how did they impact the development of science in Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries?   

Question:  In what ways did the Hitler Youth organization impact the youth of Nazi Germany?

Question:  How did the works of classical Greek philosophers influence the domestic policy of Thomas Jefferson?  

Question:  How did the Bushido Code influence the meaning of tattoos in Asian culture?

Question:  In what way did the Catholic Church affect politics in the Kingdom of Spain during the Dark Ages?

Question:  What are the impacts of melting ice in the North and South Poles on the coastlines of the continental United States?

English EEs - ideas for Language and Literature

The EE Guide says the following on p 112 (EE Guide 2018, revised Jan 2017) - remember EACH subject has their own EE guides too.

   Quote The EE may relate to work students have already completed during the course, but they must also demonstrate relevant wider reading and individual study. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that the topic of their EE does not overlap with any other work they are preparing for assessment in language A—for example, the written assignment in the literature course, or the written task in the language and literature course.   

Question:  How did Eugene Gladstone O'Neill express the themes of family relationship and sadness in his work Long Day's Journey Into Night?

Question:  How does the writing of Japanese horror artist and novelist Junji Ito contrast with the writing of American horror novelist Stephen King?

Question:  How do the final movies of the Harry Potter series compare to the final book? What has been changed or depicted differently in terms of characterization and storylines?

Sport Science

Question:  How does age affect the process of instant muscle reaction?

Economics or ITGS

Question:  What impact does public healthcare have on low income households in the United States compared to those in Canada?

Question:  To what extent has deforestation influenced Indonesia's economic and environmental growth?

Physics, Chemistry or Biology Ideas

Question:  How have climate change and forestry practices contributed to the spread of the mountain pine beetle in the Pacific Northwest in recent decades, and what does the outbreak show us about the ecological intricacies of climate change? 

Question:  What evidence is there to support the theory of life on Mars?

Question:  How does the DNA sequence of a transthyretin (TTR) gene affect whether Familial Amyloidotic Polyneuropathy (FAP), Familial Amyloidotic Cardiomyopathy (FAC) or Senile Systemic Amyloidosis (SSA) form?

Arts - Visual/Performing

Question : What female stereotypes did Brecht employ in his plays, and how can these be compared and contrasted in performance, based on an analysis of a selection of Brecht's plays? Question : Picasso: individual genius or cultural thief? 

Question:  How does Rachmaninoff apply thematic development in his composition, Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini ?

Question:  How do the Peanuts comics, written by Charles Schultz, show visual language?

Question:  How did the casting of the leading lady in Cole Porter's Anything Goes affect each production on Broadway?

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US IB Extended Essay: Research Questions

• Academic Writing
• Researchers Reflective Space (RRS)
• Research Questions
• Databases & Web Resources (English & Spanish)
• Bibliographies, References & Citations
• Reflections
• Subject Specific EE Resources

Choosing Your Topic

Your topic:

• Must fall into one of the approved IB categories found in the IB Vade Mecum.
• Must NOT be from a TOK subject area.
• Should be something that interests you and that you have studied in your coursework.  Maybe an idea touched on in class that you would like to explore further, or perhaps you have wondered about connections between two ideas.
• Should be an area in which there is data and material to support your research.
• Should be managable!
• Remember , this is a 4,000 word essay, which is meant to be completed within 40 hours of work.  
• A good essay is one which poses a question worth answering, and is worth your time and effort.

DO NOT FORGET to read the specific guidelines for the subject area in which you are interested. Read through several sample essays if you want to have a feel for what has been successful.

Begin to formulate your topic question

A well-crafted and succinct research question is essential to a successful extended essay.  If too broad, it will be difficult to answer effectively in your essay, and if too narrow will limit the research available and thus your writing as well.  As you consider topics within your subject, keep in mind that you need to find a specific question to answer.

• The novels of F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Economic Depression in the 19th century
• Bernini's Fountains of Rome

Good Questions:

• History: The Spread of Vaccination Through 19 th Century Europe: Why was the spread of Vaccination so rapid in the early  years of the 19 th century despite the turmoil of the Napoleonic war?
• English: How does Cormac McCarthy Portray Common Thematic Elements in No Country for Old Men and The Road ?
• Economics:Market Form of the Retail Petroleum Supply Industry in Parklands

Do some background research

Time to begin researching your topic broadly.  You may already have a question in mind to write your essay about, but you have to survey the broad literature first to see what is available, how much you already know about the topic, and you might, in the process, discover new, intriquing ideas about it.

Beginning resources include:

• The Internet, including Google, Wikipedia, and broad websites on the topic
• Encyclopedias, indexes, and general reference books
• Books on the topic in the library
• Conversations with someone in the field

KEEP A RECORD OF WHAT RESOURCES YOU EXAMINE!  It is a common trap among high school students to think that they will later go back to find something that was interesting but have no record of where to find it, or waste time revisiting sources, especially electronically.  See the page on note-taking and organization for more details.

KEEP A LIST OF PERTINENT TERMS, CONCEPTS, AND KEYWORDS THAT APPEAR IN YOUR RESEARCH.  These will help you formulate your question and determine search terms for your research.  This is also the beginning of your acquisition of the vocabulary of a field in which you have some interest.

Developing Your Research Question

Refining your research question

As you begin your research, note the questions that occur to you.  You may do some preliminary investigation into several potential areas before you find the one you will choose.  Check to see if there is enough information to pursue a specific area, or if you might need to shift your queries somewhat to consider other elements.

Once you have determined your topic question, you can begin to refine your actual research question.  Start by asking basic general questions to establish certain facts: the Who, What, When questions.  Sketch those out loosely.  Then begin to ask more probing questions that break the topic down into components, or look for commonalities or differences, or for a problem that needs solving.  Don’t confuse having a topic with having a problem to solve.  Questions will help you determine what the focus of your work is.

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IB Extended Essay Research Question: The Complete Guide

by  Antony W

September 2, 2023

We’ve written dozens of EEs in the last 12 months. In our experience, the Extended Essay research question is the most important part of the project. Get this right and you’ll be on your way to completing an essay that earns you 34 points. 

The problem is:

Getting the research question right isn’t often as straightforward. Given that it’s the backbone of your research and the essay, it’s easy to feel the pressure that comes with the need to develop a research question that fits the scope of the project.

In this post, we give you some handy tips that can help you come up with a relevant research question for your Extended Essay project.

Key Takeaways

• An Extended Essay research question is the question you intend to answer throughout the 4,000-word assignment.
• You first have to choose a subject, select a topic, and then formulate your research question from the topic.
• The research question must be concise, direct to the point, and fall within the scope of the Extended Essay assignment.

Tips for Extended Essay Research Question

Here are some useful tips to help you develop the most relevant research question for your Extended Essay assignment: 

1. Choose an Interesting Topic

The first step to coming up with a relevant research question for your Extended Essay is to choose an interesting topic.

Choosing an interesting topic – or an area you’ve always wanted to explore – means three things:

• You’ll not look at or treat the EE as a burdensome task.
• You’ll have an easy time developing your research question.
• You’ll easily immerse yourself in the topic and easily crank up the 4,000 words in the shortest time possible.

By immersing yourself in the topic that intrigues you, your enthusiasm will also shine through in the final grade of your Extended Essay.

You need to understand that engagement is one of the grading criteria outlined in the IB EE Grade Descriptor Document.

Reflection is important to achieve the highest marks in this criterion. These reflections should convey a significant level of intellectual and personal engagement to the topic that you choose.

2. Develop Your Research Question

Now that you have an interesting topic already selected, it’s time to develop a research question for the Extended Essay.

Here’s how to do it:

Your research question should be more specific than you initially think.

For example:

The question “Why do only some people act aggressively?” is exceptionally broad. It would require more than 4,000 words to answer.

A more suitable research question for an extended essay can be something like “to what extent does the MAOA gene contribute to violent behavior?”

Narrowing down your focus requires thorough research. In our example, the only way you would arrive at the idea of investigating the MAOA gene is if you had conducted extensive research on the topic.

The ultimate goal is to eliminate ambiguity in your research question. When narrowing it down, you must provide precise definitions for each term used.

If you are exploring the philosophy in Albert Camus’ writings, it is essential to specify that you are investigating absurdist philosophy and clarify its meaning.

3. Focus on a Research Question You Can Answer

Many students struggle to write Extended Essays because of choosing the wrong topic and formulating the wrong research question.

Such mistakes are common, but you don’t want to fall into this trap because it can set you back in terms of time, resources, and effort.

Understand that thorough research is crucial to determine the availability of background information necessary to address your question.

Mechanisms can be challenging to grasp. In the case of your EE research question, you must dedicate time to find out whether there’s enough existing information on the mechanism you intended to explore.

If you notice that there isn’t enough information to warrant continuing with exploring the research question, you should consider something else altogether.

The last mistake you want to make is to write a paper that will veer into excessive theoretical speculation. Sometimes simply rephrasing the research question into something different can go a long way to make a huge difference. 

4. Avoid Making Assumptions

This primarily applies to subjects in the humanities.

Suppose you’re a history student planning to write an Extended Essay on Italy during World War 2.

After following the previous tips on how to write an Extended Essay research question, you may come up with a research question that looks something like this:

“How did Mussolini’s unethical policies weaken Italian morale during the Second World War?”

While this research question appears focused, it contains words like “unethical” and “weaken”. Here, we already assume the cruel nature and negative impact of Mussolini’s policies.

It would be more advantageous to maintain an objective and academic tone by avoiding such biased terms. A better starting point would be to ask whether Mussolini’s policies did or did not weaken morale.

5. Ask Someone to Proofread Your Research Question and Share Their Opinion

Did you happen to spot the typo in the research question provided earlier? If you did, it highlights the importance of having someone else review your work.

Having another person proofread your EE research question goes beyond simply correcting typos. They may also uncover hidden assumptions that you might have overlooked.

To receive the most valuable feedback on all aspects of your EE, consider asking someone with experience.

While your peers are a viable option, it would be even better to seek guidance from individuals who understand the requirements for achieving an A grade. Therefore, your teacher or former students from your school would be good choices.

About the author 

Antony W is a professional writer and coach at Help for Assessment. He spends countless hours every day researching and writing great content filled with expert advice on how to write engaging essays, research papers, and assignments.

IB Extended Essay: Writing an Academic Paper

• What is the Extended Essay?
• Identifying a Topic
• Extended Essay Guides
• The Research Question
• HS YIS Online Databases and Resources
• HS Free Online Resources
• More Open Access Databases
• Citing Revisited
• Citation Tools
• MLA Posters
• APA Posters
• Research Tips for Online Searching
• Writing an Academic Paper

General EE Outline

General EE Outline (Example) a sample outline

General EE Outline (Blank template) General guides for organizing your rough draft. Be sure to talk to your supervisor first!

• EE sample outine
• EE Blank Outline

Groups 1 and 2 - Literature and Language

What Makes a Good Lit Paper? Detailed discussion for writing a literary analysis, from idea to research to final draft.

Writing in Literature Process advice from the University of North Carolina.

Writing in Literature Purdue Owl's detailed discussion of all aspects of writing a literary analysis research paper.

Analyzing Literature: A Guide for Students A 44-page comprehensive guide that covers everything from strategies for analysis to generating ideas to organizing the essay.

Guide to Literary Analysis A brief overview covering the basic process and guiding questions.

A Short Guide to Close Reading How to "go deep" on specific lines or paragraphs.

MIT Online Course: Writing About Literature Click download for all the materials.

Choosing Effective Quotations Half the battle in writing literary analysis is choosing meaningful quotations.

Group 3 - Economics and Psychology

Presenting Data

Google Data Studio Easily connect your data from spreadsheets, Analytics, Google Ads, Google BigQuery and more. Transform your raw data into the metrics and dimensions needed to create easy-to-understand reports and dashboards — no code or queries required.

Tableau Public Tableau Public is a free platform to publicly share and explore data visualizations online.

• How should data be presented?

A bar graph or a pie chart? A quick guide to formatting data effectively.

Group 4 - Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science

General Info: Writing in the Sciences

Science Extended Essay Guide

Lafferty's Guide to Writing Scientific Papers A breakdown of the process for writing and structure of an essay.

• Lafferty's Guide to Writing Scientific Papers

Group 5 - Physics and Mathematics

Group 6 - visual arts.

Source:  https://branksome-asia.libguides.com/

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World Studies Extended Essay: Global Themes

• Introduction
• Getting Started
• Global Themes
• Interdisciplinary Research
• What Makes Up a "Discipline"?
• Evaluating the Insights of Academic Disciplines
• Multiple Forms of Integration
• Evaluating Your Essay
• Common Stumbling Blocks
• Examples of Globally Conscious Students

World Studies Global Themes

Conflict, peace, and security Culture, language, and identity Environmental and/or economic sustainability Equality and inequality Health and development Science, technology and society

Conflict, peace, and security

Culture, language, and identity, environmental and/or economic sustainability, equality and inequality, health and development, science, technology and society, wsee documents.

WSEE Subject Guide and worksheets

• IB EE Subject Guide - World Studies, 2018
• Making Meaningful Connections Use this worksheet to help you think about your research plans: the concepts or methods your will be using, the global topic you're focusing on, and the academic disciplines you will be using.

RRS (Researcher's Reflection Space)

• Sample Prompts for the WSEE RRS What should you write in your RRS? Use these questions and prompts to help you think through the various stages of the research for your WSEE: your initial ideas, your thoughts and reflections during the process, and your conclusions.
• RRS Example B - World Studies

RPPF (Researcher's Planning and Progress Form) examples:

• RPPF Example 5 - World Studies
• RPPF Example 7 - World Studies

IB Extended Essay Guide & Timeline

Check the Extended Essay guide for specific guidance on completing the various steps in the research and writing process of the EE, and  these documents:

Quick Links

NoodleTools Links

The librarian is always happy to help you!

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• URL: https://libguides.westsoundacademy.org/wsee