The Research Project

 (Borrowed from Vicente Cañada Blanch school, Portobello Road, London)

http://www.educacion.gob.es/exterior/centros/canadablanch/es

The research project is designed to be a project carried out over the course of an academic year. It should be an in-depth study of a focused topic intended to promote high level research and writing skills, intellectual discovery and creativity. The aim is not a work that merely demonstrates knowledge acquired in a specific academic subject, but rather a task whereby the student is provided with an opportunity to engage in personal research of a topic of his or her own choice and learns to apply varied methods and techniques to demonstrate how s/he has assimilated that knowledge. The planning of the task should focus on investigation, verification and the pupil’s own creativity more than the mere reproduction of data or simple accumulation of information, and the final result should be a piece of formally presented, structured writing in which ideas and findings are communicated in a reasoned and coherent manner, appropriate to the subject chosen.

The research project will help the pupil to learn to:

 define a problem

 discover and link relevant information

 classify materials

 establish contacts with outside persons and institutions

 find out information and analyse it critically

 communicate the results and express him/herself correctly both in speech and in writing

In order to use these skills, the pupil may choose to: 

 analyse certain situations or problems in the world today

 investigate some environmental aspect

 further his or her knowledge of a subject of interest

 consider the relationship between certain subjects

 carry out a simple research exercise

The emphasis is on the whole process, from the planning stage to the final outcome, presented in both an appropriate format and language. The aim is to provide the student with a framework where all the different types of learning derived from all subject areas over the time s/he has been in education can be integrated. It should motivate the pupil and allow those skills the pupil has acquired during his or her time at school to flourish, especially those which foment autonomy and personal initiative, the ability to be responsible for his or her own learning, competence in the use of information technology, treatment of information and communication. Pupils will also need to take responsibility for their own work, understand the ethical dimension involved and the value of co-operation with their peers. The presentation of their work to others obliges them to formalise their discourse and establish priorities, to highlight and prioritise ideas and subjects and to learn to construct a coherent argument.

The aim of the research project is to provide students with the opportunity to: 

 pursue independent research on a focused topic

 develop research and communication skills

 develop the skills of creative and critical thinking

 engage in a systematic process of research appropriate to the subject

 experience the excitement of intellectual discovery

 develop the ability to analyse and make logical deductions from given data

 develop analytical reasoning and problem solving skills

 use modern technology as a research tool

 learn to analyse the relevance of source materials

ASSESSMENT objectives 

In working on this extended essay, students are expected to:

1. plan and pursue a research project with intellectual initiative and insight

2. formulate a precise research question

3. gather and interpret material from sources appropriate to the research question on the basis of the material gathered

4. present their findings in a format appropriate to the subject, acknowledging sources in one academic way

5. use the terminology and language appropriate to the subject with skill and understanding

6. apply analytical and evaluative skills appropriate to the subject, with an understanding of the implications and the context of their research.

Writing up the research project 

The structure of the essay is very important and should follow this pattern:

 Title page

 Abstract

 Contents page

 Introduction

 Body

 Conclusion

 References and bibliography

 Appendices

The length of the essay is between 1000-2000 words which does not include: 

 the abstract

 acknowledgments

 the contents page

 maps, charts, diagrams, annotated illustrations and tables

 equations, formulas and calculations

 citations/references

 the bibliography

 appendices

The main task is writing the body of the essay, which should be presented in the form of a reasoned argument. The form of this may vary with the subject, but, as the argument develops, it should be clear what relevant evidence has been discovered, where and how it has been discovered and how it supports the argument. In most subjects, sub-headings within the main body of the essay will help the reader to understand the argument and will also help you to keep on track.