Covers individual subjects’ requirements for the extended essay (EE) in terms of choice of topic, treatment of topic, and assessment and interpreting the assessment criteria.
The official guide from the IB. It contains information on overall requirements, subject-specific requirements, tips for conducting research, and assessment information. IMPORTANT!
Visit MyIB.com to view EE subject reports which are located within each subject's resources page.
Role of the Supervisor
Role
Action
Supervisor
The Supervisor is required to...
undertake three mandatory reflection sessions with the student lasting 20-30 minutes, the last of which is the viva voce.
work with the students for a total of 3-5 hours (to include the three mandatory reflection sessions)
ensure that students complete the Reflections on planning and progress form (RPPF), and initial and date the form after each entry by the student. Student's written reflection is submitted after the mandatory reflection session. Once submitted, supervisors initial and date the submission in Managebac. An RPPF that is blank or written in a language other than that of the essay, will be awarded a 0 for criterion E.
when the essay is complete, provide a supervisory comment in the Reflections on planning and progress form, which is used to contextualize the student’s reflections.
provide students with advice and guidance in the skills of undertaking research
encourage and support students throughout the research and writing of the extended essay
discuss the choice of topic with each student and, in particular, help to formulate a well-focused research question which is suitable to the subject of registration and ensure that the chosen research question satisfies appropriate legal and ethical standards with regard to health and safety, confidentiality, human rights, animal welfare and environmental issues
is familiar with the regulations governing the extended essay and the assessment criteria, and gives copies of these to students
monitor the progress of the extended essay to offer guidance and to ensure that the essay is the student’s own work (this may include presenting a section of the essay for supervisor comment)
read and comment on one draft only of the extended essay (but do not edit the draft); this should take place after the interim reflection session, but before the final reflection session, the viva voce
ensure that the final version of the essay is handed in before the final reflection session (viva voce) takes place, and that no changes are made to it subsequently
read the final version and, in conjunction with the viva voce, confirm its authenticity.
Supervisor
The Supervisor is strongly recommended to...
read recent extended essay reports for the subject
spend between three and five hours with each student, including the time spent on the three mandatory reflection sessions
encourage the development of a Researcher’s reflection space for students
set a clear schedule for the reflection sessions
ensure that the chosen research question is appropriate for the subject
advise students on:
access to appropriate resources (such as people, a library, a laboratory)
