Extended+essay

toc =Beginning your Extended Essay in Psychology=

Please review the information on the site below. It contains an overview, explanation and the relevant criteria. []

=Writing Guides= [|Introduction checklis]t (Crane, J. First Year Psychology 2011 - 2012)

Sample EE essays
http://cranepsych.edublogs.org/extended-essay/sample-ees/ [|Sample extended essays]

=Student EE pages= Jenny Columba Chris Edward Aditi Kailey Emma Chiara Ugam Andy Joey's page Meeting 1 - March 14, 2011 (15 minutes) Max's page Jessica's page Brenda's page
 * 2014/2015**
 * 2013/2014**
 * 2012/2013**
 * 2011/2012**
 * 2010/2011**

=Organization=
 * 1) Make sure that you set up a 3 ring binder OR digital folder to begin collecting readings and ideas for your EE. (your back pack is not a filing cabinet)
 * 2) You will receive a packet with the following items:
 * subject guidelines for your EE in Psychology (some of this you will have read from the website above). Put this in the binder. Pay particular attention to the section on interpreting the assessment criteria.
 * a list of topic ideas created by John Crane and the OCC

The stages below outline the process you should follow. At the end of each stage, make an appointment with me to discuss what you have found out, and how you plan to address the next stage. **I call these checkpoint meetings - they keep you and me on track. I will keep a record of these for you.** **Meetings are mostly discussions about ideas, sources and processes to follow. If you bring nothing in the way of ideas or the findings of your independent research to the meeting then I can do little to help you.**

=Work Processes= //The process outlined below works for any major research investigation//

=Stage 1: Begin with background reading= When choosing your topic area, you need to be well informed. Many people want to just choose a focus and 'start researching'. Don't do this unless you already have a topic that you have a background in. (Source: IB Diploma Programme Extended Essay - //Guide for first exams// //2009//. //Psychology//. pp. 163 - 168)
 * //Please avoid topics related to 'self help' topics or pop psychology such as eating disorders, dysfunctional behavior, and forensic psychology - unless your topic is **focused on one very specific area**//
 * Your paper needs to concentrate on an investigative analysis of a topic of interest to you //. It is **NOT** a venue for you to collect data through your own experiments or the conducting of case studies.//


 * Stage 1 - Part A**
 * Before you begin, make sure you have read the section in your class text (Crane & Hadad) on the Extended Essay
 * Decide on your **field** of interest ( eg. //airline crashes and pilot behavior// )
 * Make sure that field of interest can be looked at through at least ONE of our 3 core levels of analysis (biological, cognitive, sociocultural) - it's also possible to investigate a topic by comparing how it may be explained or applied from the point of view of two of those areas of analysis ( //for example, a comparison of cognitive and sociocultural theories explaining bullying by teenage girls in high school// )
 * Begin with the sites listed under resources in this wikispace

You can use your wikipage as your digital journal if you would like This stage is incredibly important. It allows you to engage with your topic, and follow your interests. The journal you keep is like the art journals you use when creating a piece of art. You use your journal to jot down useful material, thoughts, or connections, as your ideas take shape. It's a useful part of the research process involving 'self-talking' and reflection, and important to the exploration and creation process.
 * Stage 1 - Part B**
 * 1) Collect **general** information on your area of interest
 * 2) Keep a journal (digital or paper) where you can note down
 * key information, key studies, key psychologists (you get the idea)
 * keep a running bibliography that you are annotating as you go (author's credentials, topics covered in this source, why is this source useful etc) - this will help me ensure that you are selecting suitable sources
 * questions about that topic that occur to you as you read
 * connections to ideas/concepts/issues that you think of as you read
 * links to useful sites (images, youtubes, ted talks, studies etc)

Thinking routine
Use the '//See, Think, Wonder//' thinking routine to provide feedback on journals to your peers in the group you have been assigned. The aim of this discussion is to help your peers (and have them help you) narrow down a topic.

**First deadline: January 18**
**By this stage you must present the journal/notes (as outlined above in Stage 1 - Part B)** At this point, we will decide if your topic is viable - that is, have you chosen a suitable topic. **In our meeting, we will concentrate on narrowing down your focus area and identify possibilities for focus question/s**
 * 1) **your field of interest/ general topic**
 * 2) **notes so far**
 * 3) **running bibliography**
 * Only when your background reading is done can you choose a specific focus area
 * For example,if your field of interest was //Airline crashes and pilot behavior//, then your specific area of interest within that field might be //The// //impact of stress on pilot performance//
 * a focus question might be (eg. //To what extent has research on stress with airline pilots improved airline safety standards//?) - however, you may not be sure of the exact focus question you want UNTIL you do more background research and that is ok.

=Stage 2: Researching a specific area and designing your focus question= Begin collecting current research material focused specifically on your chosen focus
 * key concepts, key theories, key studies, key psychologists (again, you get the idea)
 * use "academic and psychological research journals and texts", **not popular publications** (like '//Self//' magazine, or even '//Psychology Today//' - remember that this is expected to be an analysis of relevant and current theories and/or studies (though of course, //**ideas**// can certainly come from popular publications or anywhere else)
 * questions about that topic that occur to you as you read
 * connections to ideas/concepts/issues that you think of as you read
 * 1) It is absolutely vital that your question is specific enough to allow you to write a successful paper. The more you understand your subject area, the better your question will be. You may need to brainstorm a number of questions before you settle on one that you think you will enjoy investigating and one that is manageable (not to mention **suitable** for a 4000 word **research** paper)
 * 2) It is absolutely ok if your question '//morphs//' over time. But do not change your focus area.

**Second deadline - February 1**
We will discuss the following:
 * At this stage you must present the following in our meeting: **
 * 1) ** notes so far in relation to your focus and the general questions you set up **
 * 2) ** the running bibliography with annotations **
 * 3) **Ideas for your actual research question** ** (remember, your research question will only be as good as the foundation research you have done - the more you know, the stronger your question will be) **
 * is your focus still suitable?
 * Possible research questions
 * is there sufficient information on your topic?
 * What difficulties have you encountered so far?
 * how can we address these difficulties?
 * what sources may help you further?

=Stage 3: Narrowing your research area=
 * NOW you may focus on collecting material that will enable you to investigate an actual question in depth.**


 * 1) Using your previous reading and notes, brainstorm topic headings that you know are relevant to answering the focus question you have decided on
 * 2) Make a list of the key theorists, articles and studies that you should now re-read, with the aim of analyzing how this material relates to your question
 * 3) Continue your list of references, using **APA style**. And keep in mind, that if a source is listed in your references/bibliography, then it **MUST** be referred to in your paper.
 * 4) Cross reference - what new material may have been referred to in your early research, that you must now hunt down - that is, what material may help you **to find an answer to your question?**
 * 5) What other information may be helpful? Where will you find it?
 * 6) And of course - keep adding to your notes. The more sub-headings the better - this makes it easier to organize both information AND your ideas.

Third deadline - March 6
We will discuss your thesis, a basic plan (see below) and what your outline should look like - you will have a month to work on putting this together
 * At this stage you must present the following in our meeting: **
 * ** The topic headings you have created that will help you answer your question **
 * ** The notes for each topic **
 * ** Ideas for your thesis **
 * ** Running bibliography (having removed sources that you now no longer need) **

__**The Outline**__ __** Example of how to approach a basic plan **__ **Focus question: To what extent is drug treatment successful in treating antisocial personality disorder?** **Thesis**: Drug treatment alone is not effective. Treatment for antisocial personality disorder must focus on a multifaceted approach **Introduction**: Aim for 300 words **Part 1:** prevalence and characteristics of the disorder (Aim: 400 words) **Part 2**: that because there are biological correlates to this disorder, drug treatment must be part of the treatment plan for the best chance of success (aim: 1000 words) **Part 3:** that because part of the underlying cause is maladaptive thought processes, cognitive behavioral therapy must also be part of the treatment plan (aim: 1000 words) **Part 4**: that because the family environment can exacerbate symptoms, family counseling and intervention is vital in creating a holistic treatment plan that addresses not only symptoms but also cause (aim: 1000 words) **Conclusion**: Aim for 300 words Your job will then be to turn this basic plan into a detailed outline I will give you a model outline to help you with this.
 * 1) Identify a clear thesis
 * 2) Split the essay up under sub-headings that answer your focus question - setting up stages of your argument
 * 3) In an essay of this size, you are essentially creating mini essays where each mini essay develops a section of your argument
 * 4) Outlines are written in point form.
 * 5) Until you and I agree on the outline (structure, ideas, evidence, argument), don't even think of starting a draft. You may need to drop in for a quick meeting to discuss the direction of your essay if you hit an obstacle.
 * 6) As you draft this section, you should expect that you will have to do more research. It is quite common that your evidence supporting key points, and/or your analysis of that evidence may be lacking.
 * the outline of this section will cover the following (and the same pattern will be followed for parts 3 and 4, obviously using their respective contexts)
 * identify evidence linking the biological correlates to the disorder and discuss strengths and limitations of the evidence
 * identify evidence that drug treatment is effective; discuss strengths and limitations of the evidence and the extent to which this is reliable.

=Stage 4: Creating a detailed outline= Follow the ideas given above The more time you spend on this, the easier it will be to write your essay. Essentially, this IS your essay - just in POINT FORM

Fourth deadline - April 10

 * 1) ** Submit your detailed outline in HARD COPY to me by this date **
 * 2) ** Include your bibliography **
 * 3) ** The outline must be in point form, and each section and sub-section must be clearly identified by the use of headings and sub-headings **
 * 4) ** You must follow the sequence we discussed in our meetings and the model you were given **

Each outlined essay section must have the following:
 * Structure must be clear (every paragraph outlined: Intro, each paragraph, conclusion/transition
 * All evidence and analysis of that evidence must be included
 * All transitions (conclusions to each section) must be included

I will set up a meeting with you and go over your outline. If all is well, you will be given the go-ahead to begin writing your draft
 * You may be required to develop your plan further because it is not acceptable, either because of lack of evidence (and therefore insufficient research) or because the argument does not work.
 * You must then make suggested changes and hopefully you will then be given the go-ahead to begin writing.

**If this is the case, you will be required to __re-submit__ your plan by __April 24__.**

=Stage 5: The first stage of writing=


 * 1) Follow your outline when writing
 * 2) Ensure that you pay particular attention to the grading criteria and to fully developing your thesis.

Fifth deadline: May 31
This will be returned to you BEFORE the summer holidays, and we will discuss your progress The feedback you will be given will help you finish your draft over the summer
 * 1) ** Submit your introduction and Part 1 of your EE to me in HARD COPY by this date. **
 * 2) ** Include your bibliography **

=Stage 6: The second stage of writing (Summer holidays)=
 * 1) After our meeting, make necessary changes to your outline (keep the grading criteria beside you)
 * 2) Amend your draft as necessary and keep writing
 * 3) Proof read your essay, WITH the grading criteria beside you.
 * 4) Ask a peer to grade it with the grading criteria and make necessary changes
 * 5) Are you satisfied that this is the best you can do?
 * 6) **Keep in mind that I can only comment on one draft.**

** 6th Deadline: August 24, 2012 **
**I will also ask you to submit it to turnitin.com**
 * Submit your draft in hard copy by this date. **

=Stage 7: The editing and writing of the abstract (Quarter 1, 2012)= Meetings over your draft will take place during Quarter 1 of the next school year (2012 - 2013) In our draft meeting, we will discuss changes that need to be made. You will need to take notes.
 * 1) Now you need to MAKE those changes. Otherwise what was the point of the meeting?
 * 2) Polish, polish, polish. (wording, page numbers, cover page, bibliography etc)
 * 3) Make the final check with the rubric. Every year, someone does something silly and leaves out a vital area. Don't be that person.
 * 4) Once the paper is complete, you will write your abstract (further assistance at school will be given from Ms Jordan and Ms Weber to help with the writing of the abstract)
 * remember, the abstract and bibliography are not part of the word count of 4000

=Stage 8: Paperwork and Final Deadline= ** The final deadline for submission of your Extended Essay is __November 1, 2013__ ** ** Make sure you follow your IB coordinator's instructions regarding photocopying and cover pages. **