Advice To Chemistry Extended Essay Students

1. If you have hazy ideas about doing a Chemistry EE, stop. Ask yourself the following questions.

1.1 What is the chemical subject – the compound, experimental set-up or reaction – you intend to examine?
1.2 What is the scope – the reactions of a compound, the applications of a set-up, the variables of a reaction – of your examination?
1.3 What hypothetical outcomes do you expect? Even if you have no specific expectations, what areas of theory inform your research?

2. Make sure you have discussed every one of these points with your EE supervisor. This is your FIRST MAJOR SESSION with your supervisor. Following the discussion, draft a one-page summary (about 300-500 words) of that discussion and submit it for checking and further comments.

3. Based on the returns, plan a research and experimentation schedule; aim for about 40 hours of planning and research, about 20-30 hours of lab work (spread into 4-6 hour shifts, not longer, and not too much shorter). You need to have a channel of discussion (MSN, email etc) open for SHORT communications with your supervisor.

4. Execute the plan, drafting a short account (100 words or a bit more) after each session to keep your supervisor informed of progress. Make sure that you reflect on that progress, figuring out how to improve things, get better results, clarify concepts etc. Make notes of your own cognitive processes as you execute the plan.

5. Write up by assembling your notes and findings.

5.1 Start by doing the easiest thing – assemble them in chronological order.
5.2 Next, assemble them in the order the rubric demands: research question, methodology/approach, analysis/interpretation, argument/evaluation, conclusion.
5.3 Write your abstract.
5.4 Ensure that all the formal presentation guidelines are observed (biblio, formatting, word count etc).
5.5 Your holistic judgement grade depends to a large extent on how much intelligent work you have done, the quality of the intelligent behaviour you have shown, and your communication of this and other things to your supervisor.

6. Submit the first draft to your supervisor by the end of the last term in Year 5. This is the absolute latest realistic time for a first draft. The earlier the better, as long as you don't compromise on quality.

7. Let your supervisor say as much as possible for discussion of this first draft; it is the SECOND MAJOR SESSION with your supervisor. If you don't intend to listen to your supervisor, you shouldn't be doing this EE anyway. So pay attention with a view to major holiday homework.

8. Try to give a first draft update within a week or two, for minor corrections (if you have been good) or a barracking (if you haven't been good).

9. When Year 6 starts, you should be able to submit your second draft at near-final or final quality. You will then have a fair amount of time to prettify your work before the real final submission.

10. Have fun!
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