The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, with its high academic standards and comprehensive curriculum, has three core components, i.e., EE, CAS, and TOK, along with other subjects. Each component comes with its own challenges. An extended essay is one of those components that consists of a 4,000-word research project that gives students the opportunity to delve deeper into a topic of their choice within the range of IB subject areas. This article will explore a step-by-step process using which students can streamline their IB Extended Essay in Economics with finesse and ease.
- Choosing the Right Topic
Not every topic is going to excite you, so choosing a topic is like exploring many options to find a suitable fit.
Economics is a comprehensive subject, so in order to keep your motivation intact, you should choose a topic that genuinely interests you. Following the herd will lead you to a barren grass with overeating. It’s essential to choose a topic that excites you because you will be spending a significant amount of time on this topic throughout the course. Writing and researching become easy when you already understand the basic premises of the topic that you are choosing. Also, choosing a topic that you can easily relate to in real life is a vantage point. Your topic should be broad enough to allow research and specific enough to allow newness.
- Formulating Your Research Question
After choosing a suitable topic, the next thing to work on is to formulate a specific, clear, and well-defined research question. A research question will form the basis of your entire research and writing. A good research question should have the tendency to solve a current issue in our commercial world. For example, students can talk about the impact of COVID-19 on the granary market.
- Conducting Research
After choosing a suitable topic and relevant research question, the next thing is to plunge into the river of research. This is the first execution stage that forms the foundation of a successful IB Extended Essay in economics. This is the stage where you delve deep into the available literature, research articles, books, scholarly articles, economic databases, and relevant magazines. The credibility and reliability of these sources should not be compromised; therefore, they should be checked properly.
Tip: Make notes of the available literature and the sources from which you have acquired relevant information and evidence, as you will have to cite them in your extended essay.
- Data Collection and Analysis: A Batter for Writing
The next step is to collect data and then make a well-informed evaluation. This should be relevant to your Economics research question from the beginning of the research to the culmination. Data collection typically uses two sources—primary and secondary. This includes interviews, surveys, or statistical evaluations of the existing literature review, etc. Data collection methods should be reliable, and recording techniques should be precise and accurate. In writing an Economics Extended Essay, you will probably deal more with statistical data than empirical data.
The collection of data can only prove meaningful if interpreted properly. No data is relevant without accurate interpretations. Presenting your interpretations using visual representations will enhance the coherency and applicability of your extended essay.
- Structuring Your Essay
Structuring your extended essay is like forming a display for your shop. This is the stage where the execution of your preparations is done.
It is important to consider the structure of your extended essay, as it will enhance the flow and clarity of your essay. Usually, an economics extended essay follows this structure:
- Title page
- Abstract
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Existing Literature Review
- Methodology
- Data Presentation and Analysis
- Findings
- Conclusion
- Bibliography
- Appendices, if relevant
- Writing Your Essay
The next step is to add content to the established structure. While writing your extended essay, students should keep in mind the language and relevance of the subject matter. They should use a formal writing style, adhering to IB standards and accurate economic terminology. Unnecessary jargon should be avoided in order to give a simplistic model of your entire research.
The arguments play an important role in the extended essays. Plausible explanations with relevant evidence should be provided and justified. Unnecessary arguments that beat around the bush should be avoided. Adding counterarguments will demonstrate your deeper understanding of the subject matter.
- Citing Sources and Referencing
Plagiarism is a serious offence that should be taken seriously. Giving credit wherever it is due is essential, so proper citation and referencing should form part of your extended essay. Students should use a recognised citation style throughout their essays.
- Seeking Guidance
Help is given to those who ask for it.
Seeking guidance from your IB supervisor or economics teacher is another important thing in the process of writing the IB Extended Essay. The teachers or supervisors can guide you by providing invaluable insights about everything relating to your essay. Constructive criticism will help you refine your arguments and research questions. If you have taken help from people other than your supervisors and teachers, you should also acknowledge them in your essay.
- Editing and proofreading
After completing your initial draft, it is important to revise and edit your essay. You should check for gaps and inconsistencies in your research question, grammar and spelling errors, plausibility in the stated arguments, and the overall flow of the essay. You can also ask your peers to review your essay and provide constructive criticism.
Tip: It’s often helpful to take a break after finishing your first draft and revise it from a fresh perspective.
- Meeting Deadlines
Deadlines are important in order to ensure that your extended essay fulfils the basic requirements of IBDP guidelines. The Extended Essay has several deadlines, beginning from the selection of an essay to the submission of the final draft. Students should be aware of all the deadlines in order to keep up with them.
- Final Thoughts and Reflection: The Way of Learning
After finishing your extended essay, it is important to take some time out to think and reflect on your entire research journey. This will help you critically analyse your strengths and weaknesses to ensure that your future projects do not endure any inconsistencies.
In conclusion, the IB Extended Essay in Economics is a challenging yet rewarding task. It gives students an opportunity to delve deep into the intricacies of a topic of their choice. Although one can feel the burden of this cumbersome task, with proper planning and execution, students can not just excel in it but will also gain invaluable insights in the process of this academic research.
Happy researching and learning!
