The Research process for IB

Extended Essay

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KEY OBJECTIVE: Present you with a process and skills to manage your Extended Essay

By the end of today you should feel confident to start your EE with discipline and independence.

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THE RESEARCH PROCESSTT

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DEFINING THE TOPIC

Step 1: Understanding EE expectations

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Step 2: Brainstorm possible topics

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STEP 3: Gathering background information

DEFINING THE TOPIC

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STEP 4: Identify the key concepts

DEFINING THE TOPICTT

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DEFINING THE TOPIC

STEP 5: Build a l ist of information sources

DEFINING THE TOPICSE

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STEP 6: Make your topic manageable

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The question/ statement is too broad to be manageable.

The question/ statement is too narrow

The question / statement cannot be answered

PROBLEMS WHICH MAKE RESEARCH QUESTIONS UNMANAGEABLE

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Give it more focus by using l imiters:

Time periodTime period e.g. Over the past 10 yearse.g. Over the past 10 yearsGeographical location Geographical location e.g. Rural Thailande.g. Rural ThailandPopulation group Population group e.g. elderly citizense.g. elderly citizensDisciplineDiscipline e.g. economic impacte.g. economic impactFocus on a particular problem or issueFocus on a particular problem or issue

NARROWING A TOPIC THAT IS TOO BROAD

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If a topic is too narrow there may not be enough information available to support your research or to find scholarly articles. Ways to expand:

Local issues (coverage limited to local newspapers – find issue relevant to wider geographical area)

Current events (Coverage of the event may be Current events (Coverage of the event may be limited to news articles – find a related event limited to news articles – find a related event further back in timefurther back in time))

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STEP 7: Form your init ial research question

DEFINING THE TOPICTT

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Source: http://wisdomquarterly.blogspot.sg/2010/12/how-mindfulness-leads-to-enlightenment.html

EXAMPLE:

Init ial idea/ topic: Init ial idea/ topic: Frank Lloyd Wright, modern architectureFrank Lloyd Wright, modern architectureInit ial research question: Init ial research question: How has Frank Lloyd Wright influenced How has Frank Lloyd Wright influenced modern architecture?modern architecture?Final focused question: Final focused question: What design principles used by Frank Lloyd What design principles used by Frank Lloyd Wright are common in contemporary homes?Wright are common in contemporary homes?

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SUPPORT MATERIAL Go to: TTS LIBGUIDES‘Extended Essay for IB’http://libguides.tts.edu.sg/extendedessay

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Ask a Librarian in the Study Area