Planning & Research Question
The foundation of a strong Extended Essay — how to choose your topic, define your scope, and write a focused Research Question.
Why Planning Matters
The quality of your Extended Essay is largely determined in the planning phase. A well-defined Research Question (RQ) gives your essay direction, makes your argument measurable, and saves you hundreds of hours of unfocused research. Most failed EEs can be traced back to a poorly scoped or overly broad RQ.
Step 1
Choose Your Subject
Pick a subject you are genuinely curious about — not just one you think you can score well in. Passion drives the 40+ hours of independent research you will need.
Step 2
Identify Your Topic Area
Narrow from the broad subject to a specific area. History → Cold War → Berlin Wall → specific propaganda techniques. The more specific, the better.
Step 3
Draft Your Research Question
Your RQ should be focused, arguable, and researchable. It should not be answerable with a simple yes/no or a single Google search.
What Makes a Strong Research Question?
| Weak RQ | Why It Fails | Strong RQ |
|---|---|---|
| “What caused World War II?” | Too broad — 4,000 words cannot cover this | “To what extent did Soviet foreign policy between 1934–1939 contribute to the outbreak of WWII?” |
| “Is climate change real?” | Answerable with a single source, not arguable | “How effective has the EU Emissions Trading System been in reducing CO₂ emissions in the energy sector between 2013–2022?” |
| “How does music affect the brain?” | Too vague — which aspect? which brain function? which music? | “To what extent does exposure to Mozart’s sonatas improve spatial reasoning performance in children aged 8–10?” |
💡 Expert Tip
Your Research Question should be something a specialist in the field could debate. If a non-expert can answer it in 30 seconds, it needs to be narrower.
Planning Timeline
1
Months 1–2: Topic exploration
Read widely, talk to your supervisor, browse past EEs in your subject. Do not commit to a topic until you have read at least 5 academic sources on it.
2
Month 3: Draft Research Question
Write 3 possible RQs and discuss them with your supervisor. Choose the one with the richest potential for argument.
3
Month 4: Source mapping
Identify your 8–12 core sources. Make sure you have a mix of primary and secondary sources appropriate to your subject.
4
Month 5: Outline & RPPF Entry 1
Create a detailed essay outline (section by section). Complete your first RPPF reflection after your initial supervisor meeting.
Planning Checklist
- ✓ I have chosen a subject I am genuinely interested in
- ✓ My Research Question is specific enough to be answered in 4,000 words
- ✓ My RQ is arguable — it requires analysis, not just description
- ✓ I have identified at least 8 credible academic sources
- ✓ My supervisor has approved my Research Question
- ✓ I have completed RPPF Reflection 1
Need help refining your Research Question?