Advice on the extended essay

The Extended Essay is a compulsory part of the IB Diploma. It is an independent 40-

hour research project in an IB subject of your choice. The final essay, of up to 4000
words of formally presented, structured writing, is the longest assignment of the
two-year programme. Although this may sound daunting, it is a great opportunity
to investigate a topic of particular interest and produce knowledge that is new to
you. It shares with the theory of knowledge (TOK) course a focus on interpreting and
evaluating evidence and constructing reasoned arguments. The marks awarded for the
Extended Essay and TOK are combined to give a maximum of three bonus points.
An Extended Essay in chemistry must have a clear chemical emphasis and not be more
closely related to another subject. For example, a Chemistry Extended Essay in an area
such as biochemistry will be assessed on its chemical and not its biological content. It
should include chemical principles and theory. Although it is not a requirement, the
best chemistry Extended Essays tend to be those based on experiments performed in a
school laboratory, as this allows the most personal input. It is easier for you to plan and
modify your experimental procedures when you are familiar with the equipment.

The best chemistry Extended

Essays are often based on
experiments carried out in a
school laboratory.

Some advice
Before you start
Read a copy of the subject-specific details of an Extended Essay in chemistry, including
the assessment criteria. Read some previous essays and try to identify their strengths
and weaknesses. Draw up a list of possible research questions including the techniques
you would use to address these questions. Many of the best essays are written by
students investigating relatively simple phenomena using apparatus and materials that
can be found in most school laboratories.
961

Z05_CHE_SB_IBDIP_9755_EXE.indd 961 19/09/2014 09:18

 Advice on the extended essay

You may find it useful to consider some of the following techniques when planning
your research; it is often appropriate to use a combination of two or more of these
approaches:
• titration: acid–base or redox
• chromatography: paper, partition, thin-layer, column
• electrophoresis
• spectrophotometry
• measuring mass or volume changes
• calorimetry
• qualitative and quantitative analysis
• separation and purification techniques in organic chemistry
• use of data-logging probes for some of the above.

Think carefully about which

technique(s) you will be using
when planning your research.
Acid–base and redox titrations,
for example, can be used to
analyse a range of problems.

The research question

Spend time working out the research question. This is the key to a successful Extended
Essay. You should choose a topic that interests you as you will be spending 40 hours on
this. As initiative and personal involvement are assessed, higher grades are generally
given to essays where students have chosen their own research question. Don’t choose
anything that is too complicated or difficult. Your question must be sharply focused
and capable of being addressed in 40 hours and 4000 words. For example, The ratio of
oxygen and chlorine produced at the anode during the electrolysis of different concentrated solutions
of aqueous sodium chloride solution is better than The electrolysis of salt.
It is quite common for the research question to be modified somewhat as you complete
your research. The crucial thing is that your essay is a true analysis of the research
question.

The research process

• Safety is a priority. Don’t do anything in the laboratory without checking with your
supervisor.
962

Z05_CHE_SB_IBDIP_9755_EXE.indd 962 19/09/2014 09:18

 • Use a range of resources to find out what others have done in the area. Textbooks
should never be the only source of information. Don’t spend all your time online. Use
the school and other local libraries if possible.
• Keep written records of everything that you do and make a note of all references,
including the date when internet sites were accessed so that you can build up your
footnotes and bibliography as you go along.
• Record all experimental data, including the dates when the experiments were
performed and any uncertainties in your measurements. In your preliminary
investigations, write down any problems and challenges you encountered and record
any modifications. Use your imagination to design new equipment if necessary.

While writing the essay

Make sure that you address your stated research question and the Extended Essay
assessment criteria. The criteria are distinct from those used to assess the investigation
in the Internal Assessment discussed on page 945.
• Include explanations of any theory not covered in the IB subject guide, including the
chemistry of any specialized techniques you have used.
• Use the appropriate chemical language and make sure that all chemical equations are
balanced.
• Include sufficient details of any experimental procedure to allow others to repeat the
work.
• Check any calculations and make sure that all experimental data are presented
correctly.
• Discuss the limitations of the experimental method and any systematic errors.
• Consider any questions which are unresolved at the end of your research and suggest
new questions and areas for possible further investigation.
• Let your enthusiasm and interest for the topic show and emphasize clearly your own
personal contribution.
• Ensure that your word count is close to 4000 (and an absolute upper limit of 4200).
You will often find you can cut quite a number of words as you polish your essay at
the end.

After completing the essay

• Write the abstract.
• Check and proofread the final version carefully.
• Use the assessment criteria to grade your essay. Are you satisfied with the grade you
award yourself?

The assessment criteria

All Extended Essays are assessed according to eleven criteria, labelled A–K. Each
criterion has several descriptors corresponding to different achievement levels.
By judging which of these levels most closely matches the work in the essay, the
appropriate mark is assigned for each criterion. The final grade awarded for the essay is
determined by totalling these eleven marks. The maximum number of marks available
is 36.

963

Z05_CHE_SB_IBDIP_9755_EXE.indd 963 19/09/2014 09:18

 Advice on the extended essay

The table below gives the descriptor for the highest achievement level for each criterion
together with the maximum number of marks available. The notes in italics are to help
you interpret each criterion with respect to an essay in chemistry.

Maximum achievement levels Mark

A: Research The research question is clearly stated in either the 2

question introduction or on the title page and is sharply focused,
making effective treatment possible within the word limit.
It is perfectly reasonable to formulate the research question
as a statement or as a hypothesis. Whichever way it is
formulated, it is good practice to use the introduction to lead
into the research question, which should then be highlighted
so that it is obvious.

B: Introduction The context of the research question is clearly demonstrated. 2

The introduction clearly explains the significance of the topic
and why it is worthy of investigation.
The research question should be related to existing
knowledge in chemistry, including the underlying chemical
theory. Some research questions may require some essential
background knowledge that is not related to chemistry. It is
important to refer to external sources to show that you have
researched the topic in depth.

C: Investigation An imaginative range of appropriate sources has been 4

consulted, or data have been gathered and relevant material
has been carefully selected. The investigation has been well
planned.
For non-experimental essays include details of how you
selected your data. Primary sources (original scientific
publications, personal communications, interviews) and
secondary sources (textbooks, newspaper articles, reviews)
should be distinguished and you should comment on their
reliability.
It is good practice to show an awareness of a range of
possible approaches which could have be adopted in
answering the research question, with some explanation of
why the chosen approach was adopted.
You should provide sufficient information for any
experimental work to be repeated. It should be clear which
experiments you have designed and which you have altered,
adapted, or improved from existing methods.

D: Knowledge The essay demonstrates a very good knowledge and 4

and understanding of the topic studied. Where appropriate, the
understanding essay clearly and precisely locates the investigation in an
of the topic academic context.
studied The underlying chemistry should be explained. You are not
expected to explain basic chemistry included in the Diploma
Programme chemistry course, but you are expected to show
that you fully understand the relevant principles and ideas
and can apply them correctly. You should also demonstrate
that you understand the theory behind any techniques or
apparatus used and also identify possible weaknesses.

964

Z05_CHE_SB_IBDIP_9755_EXE.indd 964 19/09/2014 09:18

 Maximum achievement levels Mark

E: Reasoned Ideas are presented clearly and in a logical and coherent 4

argument manner. The essay succeeds in developing a reasoned and
convincing argument in relation to the research question.
A good argument in chemistry will almost certainly include
consideration and comparison of different approaches
and methods directly relevant to the research question.
Straightforward descriptive or narrative accounts that lack
analysis do not usually advance an argument and should be
avoided.

F: Application The essay shows effective and sophisticated application of 4

of analytical appropriate analytical and evaluative skills.
and evaluative A thorough understanding of the reliability of all data used
skills to support the argument should be shown. Inadequate
appropriate to experimental design or any systematic errors should be
the subject exposed. The magnitude of uncertainties in physical data
should be evaluated and discussed. Approximations in
models should be accounted for and all assumptions
examined thoroughly. Where possible, the quality of sources
accessed or data generated should be verified by secondary
sources or by direct calculations.

G: Use of The language used communicates clearly and precisely. 4

language Terminology appropriate to the subject is used accurately,
appropriate to with skill and understanding.
the subject Correct chemical terminology and nomenclature should be
used consistently and effectively throughout the Extended
Essay. Relevant chemical formulas (including structural
formulas), balanced equations (including state symbols),
and mechanisms should be included. The correct units for
physical quantities must always be given and the proper use
of significant figures is expected.

H: Conclusion An effective conclusion is clearly stated; it is relevant to the 2

research question and consistent with the evidence presented
in the essay. It should include unresolved questions where
appropriate to the subject concerned.
The conclusion must be consistent with the argument
presented and should not merely repeat material in the
introduction or introduce new or extraneous points to the
argument. It is a good idea to consider unresolved questions
and to suggest areas for further investigation.

I: Formal The formal presentation is excellent. This criterion assesses 4

presentation the extent to which the layout, organization, appearance,
and formal elements of the essay consistently follow a
standard format. The formal elements are: title page, table
of contents, page numbers, illustrative material, quotations,
documentation (including references, citations, and
bibliography), and appendices (if used).
The essay must not exceed 4000 words of narrative. Graphs,
figures, calculations, diagrams, formulas, and equations are
not included in the word count.
For experiments where numerical results are calculated from
data obtained by changing one of the variables, it is generally
good practice to show one example of the calculation. The
remainder can be displayed in tabular or graphical form.

965

Z05_CHE_SB_IBDIP_9755_EXE.indd 965 19/09/2014 09:18

 Advice on the extended essay

Maximum achievement levels Mark

J: Abstract The abstract clearly states the research question that was 2
investigated, how the investigation was undertaken, and
the conclusion(s) of the essay. The abstract is judged on the
clarity with which it presents an overview of the research and
the essay, not on the quality of the research question itself,
nor on the quality of the argument or the conclusions.

K: Holistic The essay shows considerable evidence of qualities such as 4

judgement intellectual initiative, depth of understanding, and insight.
• Intellectual initiative: ways of demonstrating this include the
choice of topic and research question and the use of novel
or innovative approaches to address the research question.
• Insight and depth of understanding: these are most
likely to be demonstrated as a consequence of detailed
research, reflection that is thorough, and by well-informed
and reasoned argument that consistently and effectively
addresses the research question.
• Originality and creativity: this will be apparent by clear
evidence of a personal approach backed up by solid
research and reasoning.

Bibliography and references

It is required that you acknowledge all sources of information and ideas in an approved
academic manner. Essays that omit a bibliography or that do not give references are
unacceptable. Your supervisor or school librarian will be able to give you advice on
which format to follow. One acceptable format is:
Author(s), Year, Title, Place of Publication, Publisher.
C. Brown and M. Ford, 2014, Higher Level Chemistry 2nd edition, UK, Pearson
Baccalaureate.
Internet references should include the title of the extract used as well as the website
address, the date it was accessed, and, if possible, the author. You should always
exercise caution when using information from websites that do not give references or
that cannot be cross-checked against other sources. The more important a particular
point is to the essay, the more the quality of its source needs to be evaluated.

Viva voce
Remember to use a range After you have handed in the
of resources including the final version you may be given
internet and any libraries a short interview or viva voce by
available.
your supervisor, who is required
to write a report on your project.
This is an opportunity to discuss
the successes and challenges of the
project and for you to reflect on
what you have learned from the
experience.

966

Z05_CHE_SB_IBDIP_9755_EXE.indd 966 19/09/2014 09:18

 World Studies Extended Essay
As you think about topics for an Extended Essay in chemistry, it may be that you
find an area of current global interest, which overlaps with another subject. In this
case, it may be appropriate to submit the essay as World Studies, which is a separate
IB Extended Essay subject. An essay in World Studies must have the following
characteristics:
• it must focus on an issue of contemporary global significance
• it must involve an in-depth interdisciplinary study, making reference to at least two IB
subjects.

The approach to a World Studies Extended Essay is to identify a global issue and find
a local example that lends itself to research and analysis, using the methodologies
of two different subjects. This gives a grounded appreciation and understanding of
the issue under study. As part of the research, you are encouraged to keep records
of your thoughts and ideas in the ‘researchers reflection space’. This helps to show
development in your global perspective and some of the challenges in the research.

967

Z05_CHE_SB_IBDIP_9755_EXE.indd 967 19/09/2014 09:18