Sprint 1 - to a great research question

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Sprint 3 - to a detailed outline

Sprint 4 - to a strong first draft

Sprint 5 - to an excellent final submission

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The aim of ‘Sprint 1’ is to arrive at a great research question that will allow you every opportunity to produce a successful extended essay.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrWeLJZydUU&ab_channel=AcademicSkills%2CTheUniversityofMelbourne

Watch this video from the University of Melbourne about research questions. It is not specifically produced for the Extended Essay but it still provides lots of great advice.

timeforgeography.co.uk/videos-list/human-geography-research/research-question/

Here is another video

🧩 Interdisciplinary pathway → World Studies Extended Essay

<aside> 🧠 An interdisciplinary study of an issue of contemporary global significance.

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“Interdisciplinary” in this context refers to research that draws on two Diploma Programme subjects' methods, concepts and theories. It is strongly recommended that students undertake a course of study in at least one of the subjects chosen for their essay.

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Follow this process to work through your ideas and arrive at a ‘great’ WSEE research question:

  1. Identify a contemporary (taking place within your lifetime) issue of global significance.

    https://www.un.org/en/global-issues - Global Issues

    https://www.weforum.org/publications/series/global-risks-report/ - Global Risks Report

Example:

  1. The global obesity epidemic.

  2. Decide which of the six areas of study it is registered in →

    1. Conflict, peace and security
    2. Culture, language and identity
    3. Environmental and/or economic sustainability
    4. Equality and inequality
    5. Health and development
    6. Science, technology and society.

  3. Health and development.

  4. Does the issue that you have chosen benefit from being approached from two different subjects? You must develop a clear rationale for an interdisciplinary approach that uses the conceptual framework and vocabulary of two Diploma Programme subjects.

    I recommend that you study both subjects, at least one of them at HL. Using a subject that you do not study will create more work.

    Examples from the IB →

    The common recourse of making a whole country into a case study usually resulted in research at a level of generality that precluded it form the higher achievement levels in criteria B and C. Those candidates who really focused on a manageable case study that was precise and with careful parameters had a far better chance of writing critically about it within the 4000 words, and were also likely to use research in a deeper more curious manner, replacing the generic approach with more specific and enriching work.

    Often the subject knowledge and understanding seemed to be superficial and used more to allow a student to choose a specific topic rather than to aid in a discussion. For example, geography was used to allow the essay to compare two locations without discussing and analysing geographic factors (environmental, economic, social, political, etc.) or a simple discussion of money being used to as a way to demonstrate economic knowledge and understanding. The topic needs to apply two subjects equally and effectively to ensure an interdisciplinary approach.

  5. Are people obese for biological or geographical (socio-economic) reasons? Which is the more dominant factor if it is a combination of both?

  6. Identify a local (located) manifestation of the issue of global importance. Local is defined in its broadest sense to mean specific examples or case studies and does not necessarily imply that the focus must be geographically local to you.

  7. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission metro area of Texas is the most overweight city in the United States.

    Mapped: The most (and least) overweight cities in the US in 2023

  8. What would your research question (RQ) be? Including a command term in your RQ is a good idea. Suggested command terms include compare, contrast, discuss, evaluate, examine, justify or to what extent.

  9. Research question: To what extent can we understand the obesity crisis in Texas by analysing the potential biological and geographical causes?

  10. Your title

    The best way to create your title is often to convert your research question into a short statement that captures the key focus of the essay.