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Extended Essay 专题论文: Common Problems

Problems encountered by WSEE students during their research

The problems are listed in relation to the relevant assessment criteria. This list is not exhaustive.

Criterion A: Focus and method

Criterion B: Knowledge and understanding

Criterion C: Critical thinking

Criterion A: Focus and Method

Common stumbling blocks:

  • The research question is not appropriate for an interdisciplinary investigation. It is:
    • descriptive rather than analytical
    • too broad
    • too narrow, or expresses a foregone conclusion.
  • The student presents the research question as a fact-gathering exercise rather than as a question framing a problem of inquiry.
  • It is unclear why this is relevant to the subject in which it is registered.
  • It is unclear why an interdisciplinary approach is necessary.
  • Sources are too narrowly focused or too broad in range in relation to the research question posed.
  • The methodological approach is presented mechanistically (“I will use interviews and surveys”) rather than a reasoned strategy for gathering relevant information or data collection (“While semi-structured interviews will allow me to understand the villagers’ perspectives and beliefs, a survey of adults in the community will enable me to see how widespread such beliefs are in the village”).

Criterion B: Knowledge and Understanding

Common stumbling blocks:

  • The student has difficulty putting the area of research or research question in context; a general background is given rather than setting up an argument or explanation.
  • There is a tendency towards sweeping, broad strokes rather than deep understanding of the subject or area of research. The commentary is general and relies on common-sense observations.
  • The use and interpretation of sources is simplistic.

Criterion C: Critical Thinking

Common stumbling blocks:

  • There is a tendency towards narrative as opposed to a presentation and critical discussion of research and findings.
  • The research/findings are not discussed in relation to the research question.
  • Integration is unclear or superficial. There is a tendency to juxtapose the two disciplines.
  • There is little critical analysis of the sources used.
  • There is a tendency to list factors rather than assessing their relative importance.
  • The student inappropriately uses categorical language to assert firm conclusions when it might be better to be more tentative.
  • The student summarizes findings, without attempting to draw all the ideas together into an insightful explanation or argument.