Criterion A: Focus and Method
The research question must be clearly stated, focused, and addressed through an appropriate methodology that the subject recognizes as valid.
Choosing an IB Extended Essay topic is a pivotal decision in the Diploma Programme. The topic sets the direction for months of research and writing, and determines how well you meet the assessment criteria. A strong topic aligns with a DP subject you know, matches your genuine curiosity, and can be investigated with the sources and time you have.
Every Extended Essay must be registered in a specific DP subject, and each subject has its own subject-specific guidance, terminology and methodological expectations. Before you finalize a topic, read the subject-specific section of the EE guide to understand what counts as appropriate evidence, what analytical frameworks are expected, and how the assessment criteria are interpreted in that discipline. A biology EE, for example, requires primary or secondary data that can be analysed scientifically, while a history EE demands engagement with primary sources and historiographical debate. Choosing a topic that fits the subject's epistemology saves you from forcing a square peg into a round hole later.
Your subject choice should also reflect your academic strengths and the courses you are currently studying. Writing an EE in a subject you are taking at Higher Level gives you immediate access to relevant concepts, vocabulary and teacher expertise. If you are considering a subject you do not study, be prepared to invest extra time in learning its conventions and finding a supervisor with appropriate expertise. Some schools restrict EE registration to subjects offered at the school, so confirm local policies early. The goal is to match your interest to a subject where you can demonstrate the depth of understanding the criteria reward.
Choose a specific context, a defined timeframe, a particular case study, or a focused theoretical lens to reduce the universe of relevant literature and data.
Write a provisional question and ask whether it can be answered with analysis rather than description. Questions starting with "To what extent" or "How far" often invite evaluation.
Share the draft question with your supervisor and ask: "What would a counter-argument look like?" If you cannot imagine a plausible alternative, the question may be too descriptive.
Keep refining until the question demands critical engagement with evidence, not just a narrative summary of existing knowledge.
The research question must be clearly stated, focused, and addressed through an appropriate methodology that the subject recognizes as valid.
Choose a topic where you can demonstrate subject-specific terminology and concepts with depth rather than breadth.
The heaviest-weighted criterion rewards analysis, evaluation and synthesis. The topic must generate evidence that can be interpreted, not just catalogued.
A topic that produces unwieldy data sets or requires excessive appendices can make structure, referencing and formal elements harder to manage.
Topics that involve genuine decision-making, problem-solving and intellectual struggle yield richer reflections for the RPPF.
Choosing a topic because it sounds impressive rather than because it is researchable leads to superficial overviews. Topics like "The causes of World War I" are far too broad for the required length.
Selecting a topic that is essentially a summary of existing knowledge with no original analysis. The EE requires your own argument built on evidence, not a literature review.
Picking a topic that belongs to a different subject than the one you register in creates a mismatch between method and criteria.
Underestimating the difficulty of accessing primary sources, ignoring ethical requirements, or failing to check supervisor availability for the chosen subject.
Changing topics late in the process loses valuable time. Treat topic selection as a mini-research project: test the question, verify sources, confirm supervisor availability, and write a short rationale.
Your supervisor is a critical partner in shaping a viable topic. The IB requires three formal reflection sessions, but informal check-ins are equally valuable. Bring a shortlist of two or three potential research questions to the first meeting, along with a preliminary source list for each. Ask the supervisor to evaluate whether each question is appropriately focused for the subject, whether the methodology is sound, and whether the evidence is likely to be accessible. A good supervisor will not choose the topic for you but will help you see the implications of each option.
Use subsequent meetings to test specific elements: share a draft outline, a sample paragraph, or a data collection plan. Ask targeted questions such as "Does this structure support my argument?" or "Is this statistical approach appropriate for my data?" Document the supervisor's feedback in your RPPF reflections; this shows engagement and creates a record of your decision-making. Remember that the supervisor's role is advisory. You own the research question, the argument and the final essay. Treat their input as expert guidance, not as a checklist for approval.
The World Studies EE investigates a global issue through the lens of two DP subjects. Both subjects must contribute essentially to the answer, not as an add-on.
You need supervisors with expertise in both subjects, or a single supervisor qualified in both. The standard EE criteria apply with additional emphasis on interdisciplinary understanding.
Before committing, read the WSEE guide and examine exemplar essays to see how successful integration works. If the interdisciplinary angle feels forced, a single-subject EE is usually stronger.
If you can imagine writing a whole book on the topic, it is too broad. A good test is to ask whether you can answer the research question within the required length while providing analysis, not just description. If the question covers multiple countries, decades, or variables without a clear boundary, narrow it by adding a specific case study, timeframe, or theoretical lens.
You can, but each change costs time. Early adjustments during the literature review are normal. Changing the topic after data collection has begun usually means discarding work. Before switching, discuss the new direction with your supervisor and verify that sources and time allow a complete restart.
It is not required, but it is strongly recommended. Writing in an HL subject gives you immediate access to relevant concepts, vocabulary, and teacher support. If you choose a subject you do not study, you must learn its conventions independently and secure a qualified supervisor, which adds workload.
A strong WSEE topic addresses a genuine global issue and integrates two DP subjects so that each contributes essential methodology and concepts. The research question must require both disciplines to answer it. You also need supervisors qualified in both subjects and a clear plan for balanced interdisciplinary analysis.
The supervisor is essential for testing focus, methodology, and feasibility. They do not choose the topic for you, but their feedback on your research question, source list, and outline prevents wasted effort. Use the three formal reflection sessions and informal check-ins to refine the topic iteratively.
Aim to have a stable research question before you begin substantial data collection or writing. Most schools set a deadline for the research question approval early in the EE timeline. Treat the question as a working hypothesis that can be sharpened, but avoid major changes after the literature review phase.
A strong topic is the first step toward an Extended Essay that meets IB criteria and reflects your academic interests. If you would like structured guidance on refining your research question, aligning it with the right subject, or building