Developing a research question: Four steps
You must frame your research question as a question, not a hypothesis or a statement of intent. The reason for this is that a question helps you to retain focus throughout the entire extended essay process.
Your research question needs to:
- be clearly stated and focused
- be open to amendment or change if your research takes you in a different direction or if it turns out there are insufficient resources to help you carry out an adequate amount of research
- invite a critical examination of the topic with respect to the knowledge, concepts, theories, perspectives, methods, or a combination of these, of your chosen DP subject(s)
- encourage analysis, evaluation and synthesis, rather than description, unsupported generalizations and value judgements.
Source IBO Extended Essay Guide 2027
