Data collection is often the most challenging part when students first plan their science EE. Trust me; you’re not the only one who feels that way. It’s one of the trickiest parts of the essay but also the most important. You should think and act like a real scientist in science extended essays.

One of the biggest mistakes I see IB students make is assuming that data analysis only belongs in the sciences. That’s just not true. In fact, data analysis in extended essays can (and should) be used in every subject—just in different ways.

You’ve probably heard terms like extended essay and MYP Personal Project used often if you’re enrolled in the IB curriculum. You may also wonder how these components relate to your academic career.

Using graphs, charts, and tables in your EE will enhance the quality and clarity of your analysis in addition to providing visual appeal. Having helped with hundreds of students on their IB Extended Essays, I can attest that the right use of graphics may greatly improve your writing.

With so many sources available, how do you keep track of what’s useful? From my experience as an IB writer, one of the best tools for managing research effectively is an annotated bibliography. It’s a structured way to engage with the material and refine your argument.

Selecting the right sources is one of the most important steps in EE research, yet many IB students struggle with finding the right balance between primary sources and secondary sources. From my experience, using both effectively can make the difference between a strong, well-supported argument and an essay that lacks depth.

In this article, I draw on my experience as an IB writer to break down what works best in high-scoring extended essays. We’ll examine case studies from subjects such as history, biology, economics, psychology, business management, and film studies, each highlighting key elements such as a well-defined research question, strong methodology, and unique analytical approaches.