The evaluation section of your IB Extended Essay (EE) is a critical component where you demonstrate your analytical and reflective skills. It requires you to assess the robustness of your research, examine the implications of your findings, and propose logical extensions or improvements. This guide outlines a detailed approach to answering your research question.

1. Understand the Purpose of the Evaluation

The evaluation section should:

  • Identify the strengths and weaknesses of your research methodology and approach.
  • Critically assess the reliability and validity of your findings.
  • Contextualise limitations and their impact on your conclusions.
  • Suggest specific areas for improvement and further research, supported by evidence.

Tip:

Review the assessment criteria for “Engagement” and “Analysis” in the IB EE Guide to ensure your evaluation meets the expectations for these categories.

2. Critically Analyse Your Research Methodology

Reflect on your research design, data collection methods, and analytical approach:

  • Strengths: Highlight why your chosen methods were suitable for addressing your research question. For example, discuss how they ensured validity and reliability.
  • Weaknesses: Identify limitations, such as sampling biases, measurement errors, or logistical constraints. Explain how these may have impacted your findings.

Example:

The use of primary data collection through structured interviews allowed for in-depth exploration of perspectives. However, the sample size was limited to 10 participants, which may affect the reliability of the findings. Additionally, the lack of diversity in the sample could introduce cultural bias.

Tip:

When discussing limitations, use qualifiers such as “potentially,” “may have,” or “could” to maintain a balanced perspective without undermining your work entirely.

3. Evaluate Your Sources

Discuss the credibility, relevance, and limitations of the sources used:

  • Primary Sources: Were they authentic, reliable, and representative?
  • Secondary Sources: Assess their objectivity, depth, and alignment with your research question. Were there any significant gaps or biases?

Example:

The reliance on peer-reviewed journal articles ensured high credibility of secondary sources. However, the majority of the literature focused on studies conducted in Western contexts, limiting applicability to non-Western settings.

Tip:

Use citation analysis tools to evaluate the influence and relevance of key studies cited in your EE.

4. Assess the Findings

Critically analyse the validity and implications of your results:

  • Were the findings consistent with existing literature?
  • How significant are the results in answering the research question?
  • Were there anomalies or unexpected results, and how were they addressed?

Example:

The findings aligned with the hypothesis, suggesting a strong correlation between X and Y. However, unexpected deviations in [specific data] indicate potential confounding variables that were not accounted for.

Tip:

Incorporate statistical measures (if applicable) to substantiate claims about the reliability and significance of your findings.

5. Propose Alternatives and Improvements

Discuss how different approaches could enhance the research:

  • Methodological changes, such as using mixed methods or increasing sample size.
  • Analytical improvements, like adopting more sophisticated statistical techniques or alternative theoretical frameworks.
  • Data triangulation to improve reliability.

Example:

A mixed-methods approach combining quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews could have provided a more nuanced understanding of [research topic]. Additionally, longitudinal data collection would allow for analysis of trends over time.

Tip:

Justify why the suggested improvements would be effective by linking them to specific limitations you identified earlier.

6. Discuss Limitations in Context

Acknowledge and contextualise the limitations of your research without undermining its overall validity:

  • Discuss how limitations influenced your conclusions.
  • Highlight efforts made to mitigate these limitations during the research process.

Example:

While the small sample size limits the reliability of the findings, the use of random sampling methods helped ensure a representative subset within the given constraints.

7. Suggest Areas for Further Research

Identify logical extensions of your study:

  • Are there gaps in your research that future studies could address?
  • Could your findings be tested in different contexts or using different methodologies?

Example:

Future research could explore the impact of [specific variable] across diverse cultural contexts, as this study was limited to [specific demographic]. Additionally, examining the longitudinal effects of [specific intervention] would provide valuable insights.

Tip:

Frame your suggestions as actionable and directly linked to the limitations or findings of your study.

8. Maintain a Formal and Technical Writing Style

To meet academic standards, ensure:

  • Logical organization of ideas.
  • Use of precise, formal language.
  • Conciseness and clarity.

Tip:

Avoid overgeneralisations. Use specific, evidence-based statements to support your evaluation.

9. Align with IB Assessment Criteria

Regularly cross-check your evaluation with the IB EE assessment rubric:

  • Does it demonstrate critical and reflective thinking?
  • Is the analysis substantiated with evidence and well-balanced?
  • Does it stay focused on the research question?

Tip:

Use the rubric as a checklist to ensure all key aspects of the evaluation are addressed.

Final Thoughts

The evaluation is not merely a critique but an opportunity to showcase the depth of your analysis and understanding of the research process. For more steps and tips to writing the EE reflections, please follow for our upcoming posts.

 

The evaluation section of your IB Extended Essay (EE) is a critical component where you demonstrate your analytical and reflective skills. It requires you to assess the robustness of your research, examine the implications of your findings, and propose logical extensions or improvements. This guide outlines a detailed approach to answering your research question.