This document provides guidance on formulating a strong research question for an extended essay. It explains that a good research question is focused rather than too general or broad in scope. Various question words and structures are presented that can help guide an investigation, such as "To what extent...", "How effectively...", and "What is the impact of...". The document also advises narrowing a topic to a specific context and pursuing a personal passion when crafting a research question. Several examples are given to demonstrate effective versus ineffective questions.

1. Formulate a Research Question
Zakir Hossain
Teacher-Librarian

2. Topic vs Question
Topic Question
The feasibility of wireless
networking in a city-wide
context
To what extent is wireless
networking a feasible
alternative to cabled networking
within a whole city context?
An exploration of evil as a
motivating force in Drama.
How effectively does Christopher
Marlowe present his view of evil
in Dr. Faustus?

3. Question starters….
To what extent … Allows for an evaluation of the degree [extent] to
which something is true or a contributing factor.
To effectively answer this type of question, the main
body of the essay should include consideration of
other influencing factors.
How successful … Allows for an evaluation of the success of an
approach, method or policy.
What is the impact
of …
A straightforward causal investigation
Is it possible to
determine …
An investigation into a framework based on
existing and available evidence.
How
accurate/reliable …
Allows for an exploration relating to accuracy
or usefulness.

4. Narrowing Down your Research Focus…
Subject
English
Theme
19th Century novels of love and relationship
Context
Love and relationship in the Novels of Jane Austen
Topic
Austen’s attitudes to Love and relationship in Pride and Prejudice
Research questions
Final RQ
In what ways does Jane Austen express her attitudes to the themes of love and marriage
inherent in her work Pride and Prejudice?
What are Austin's attitudes to love and
marriage in Pride and Prejudice?
What ways does Austin portrait herself
towards love and relationship in her Pride and
Prejudice novel?

5. A research question should not be too general
Too general
How important is chlorophyll to plant life?
Better
What is the effect of different concentrations of kinetin
on leaves aging and the biosynthesis of chlorophyll?

6. Research question should not be too broad.
Too Broad
What is the history of Egyptian theatre?
Better
How does the legacy of Sayed Darwish contribute
to the traditional Arabic music?

7. Pursue your passion into RQ
Passion: Car
Psychology EE: Do people make attributions about another’s
success, intelligence and sociability based on their choice of
car?
Biology EE: What is the physiological effect on airbags on the
human body on impact?
Visual Art EE: To what extent is the car a canvas in the BMW
Art Car series?

8. Pursue your passion into RQ (cont.)
Passion: Tobacco
Geography EE: What factors contribute to the pattern of
cigarette smokers in Riyadh, KSA?
ITGS EE: What role has information technology played in
the developing world for educating youth about the dangers
of tobacco?
Chemistry EE: How does the environmental condition,
specifically temperature, alter the quantity of nicotine in
tobacco?

9. Pursue your passion into RQ (cont.)
Passion: Game of Thrones
English EE: What message does George R. R. Martin express
through different characters’ experiences with disillusionment in
his novel Game of Thrones?
Economics EE: To what extent is there price discrimination in
the market for illegal copies of Game of Thrones Season 7 in
different malls in Riyadh?
Computer Science EE: What are the most significant graphical
algorithms employed by the visual effects company MPC in their
futility CGI software used for the wooly mammoths of Season 4?

10. Thank You
Q & A
References
Lekanides, Kosta. Extended Essay Course Book: Oxford IB Diploma Programme. OUP, 2016.
Hossain, Zakir. “EE DIRECTIONS:2016-18 Cohort: Click Here to Download the Pdf EE Information Booklet .” EIS
Learning Resource Centre, Aug. 2016, eishcmclrc.wordpress.com/ee-directions/.
IB Extended Essay Guide (revised). IBO. 2018
Thompson, Emma and Richard Penny. “DEVELOPING YOUR RESEARCH PROJECT.” [week 2: Exercise:
developing your research question]. MOOC offered by the University of Southampton. Retrieved on Sept. 24,
2017 from https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/research-project/9/steps/158525