Can I Use Primary Data in My Extended Essay? Pros, Pitfalls & IB Guidelines

Can I Use Primary Data in My Extended Essay?

What Is Primary Data?

Primary data refers to information you gather yourself, not from published sources. Examples include:

• Experiments
• Surveys or questionnaires
• Interviews
• Field observations or measurements

It’s distinct from secondary data, which originates from books, articles, and pre-existing databases.

When Can You Use Primary Data in the EE?

Primary data is appropriate when:

• Your subject allows empirical investigation (e.g. sciences, geography, psychology)
• Your research question supports original data collection
• It’s feasible within your time, resources, and ethical guidelines

IB encourages primary research in subjects like Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Psychology, Geography, Environmental Systems, and World Studies—if conducted properly.

Subjects That Encourage Primary Data Use

• Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics): Laboratory experiments, controlled measurements
• Environmental Systems & Societies: Field sampling, surveys
• Geography: Mapping, local surveys, environmental observations
• Psychology: Questionnaires and experiments involving human behavior

RevisionDojo’s EE subject-specific advice explains which disciplines best fit primary research methods.

Collecting Primary Data for Your EE

• Methods: Design a survey, conduct experiments, perform interviews or take field notes
• Sample Size & Scope: Use a representative, manageable sample—too small or biased samples weaken reliability
• Ethical Practices: Obtain consent, anonymize data, and ensure no harm or confidentiality breaches

RevisionDojo includes ethical research guidance and supervision checklists for primary data collection.

How to Analyze and Present Primary Data

• Present your findings using graphs, tables, or qualitative summaries
• Statistical analysis (means, correlations, error margins) adds rigor
• Link findings clearly to your Research Question, showing how data supports or refutes it

RevisionDojo offers templates for consistent data presentation and interpretation. (revisiondojo.com)

Common Mistakes with Primary Data

• Over-generalizing from a small or unrepresentative sample
• Failing to link data to argument—presenting raw numbers without analysis
• Ethical oversights—not obtaining consent or mishandling privacy

Do You Need IB Ethics Approval?

• Yes, if you involve human participants (e.g., surveys or interviews)
• Ensure informed consent, confidentiality, and secure data handling
• Work with your supervisor and school’s ethics protocols before starting

Real Examples of EE Using Primary Data

• A Biology EE investigating water pollution levels using local river sampling
• A Geography EE based on student-conducted habitat surveys and GIS mapping
• A Psychology EE testing short-term memory efficiency via student questionnaires

These cases illustrate how well-planned primary data can drive insight and originality.

When to Avoid Primary Data

• If subject specifications discourage involvement, such as in English or History
• When time, resources, or ethics requirements make it impractical
• If your RQ is better addressed through literature review or secondary data

Tips for Success with Primary Data in the EE

• Start early—design your method and obtain permissions early in the EE timeline
• Log everything—record methodology, raw data, consent forms, and unexpected observations
• Triangulate—combine primary findings with secondary research to strengthen arguments

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can I collect primary data in History or Literature EEs?
A1: Rarely—primary data isn’t commonly appropriate in humanities. Instead, focus on deep analysis of secondary sources.

Q2: How large should my sample size be?
A2: Aim for statistically viable numbers (e.g., 20–30 participants for surveys) while remaining manageable under time constraints.

Q3: Do I need formal ethics approval documents?
A3: Schools typically require consent forms and ethical statements. Work with your supervisor to ensure compliance before data collection.

Q4: What if my hypothesis is disproven by my data?
A4: That’s fine—document the results, reflect on limitations, and align findings with your Research Question transparently.

Q5: Can secondary sources support my primary data analysis?
A5: Absolutely—secondary research provides context, comparison, and theoretical grounding to your original findings.

Q6: Will using primary data improve my EE score?
A6: When done properly and critically analyzed, yes—it can showcase originality and analytical depth, helping meet higher criteria.

Conclusion: Make Your Primary Research Count

Primary data can enhance your Extended Essay—offering originality, deeper insight, and real-world relevance. But it must be well-planned, ethically collected, and rigorously analyzed.

Call to Action

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• ✅ Access EE templates for surveys, data collection, and analysis
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👉 Visit RevisionDojo, get started with our primary-data guides, and ensure your EE stands out with strong empirical reasoning from the beginning.