The Importance of Research Question Revision During the EE Process
What Is a Research Question (RQ) in the EE?
Your Research Question is the heart of your Extended Essay—it guides your investigation, structures your argument, and helps examiners evaluate your work. A strong RQ is clear, focused, and analytical, aligned with your chosen IB subject. (revisiondojo.com)
Why Revising Your Research Question Matters
- Common mistakes: questions that are too broad, vague, or lack evaluative focus can derail your essay.
- A weak RQ leads to scattered structure, superficial analysis, and missed marks.
- Refining your RQ helps you stay aligned with IB criteria and sharpen your critical thinking.
RevisionDojo’s guide offers 8 expert-backed tips to craft and refine a powerful RQ. (revisiondojo.com)
Signs Your RQ Needs Revision
- Too broad: e.g., “Does income inequality affect GDP?”
- Too narrow: limited scope or unable to support enough analysis.
- Lacks IB command terms or subject focus.
If you can’t articulate the RQ clearly by the end of your outline, it likely needs adjustment.
How to Revise Your EE Research Question
- Ask for feedback from your supervisor to ensure feasibility and clarity.
- Incorporate IB command terms like evaluate, to what extent, or compare.
- Use the SMART framework: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-bound.
RevisionDojo offers practical templates to evaluate and refine your RQ step by step. (revisiondojo.com)
Tools and Templates to Refine Your RQ
- RevisionDojo’s RQ Evaluation Checklist helps test focus, scope, command term inclusion, and accessibility.
- Subject-specific RQ templates guide you in structuring appropriate investigations.
Access these tools as part of RevisionDojo’s EE toolkit. (revisiondojo.com)
Real Examples of Strong vs. Weak RQs
Subject Weak RQ Example Strong RQ Example History “Why did World War II happen?” “To what extent did economic sanctions imposed on Germany between 1933–1938 contribute to the outbreak of World War II?” Economics “How does tourism affect GDP?” “To what extent have foreign tourist arrivals influenced GDP growth in Morocco between 2015–2020?” Biology “What affects plant growth?” “How does varying soil pH levels affect growth rate of Phaseolus vulgaris under controlled greenhouse conditions?”
These examples follow guidance from RevisionDojo on focused, manageable EE questions. (revisiondojo.com)
How RQ Revision Improves Final Scores
- Criterion A (Focus & Method): A refined RQ shows clear direction and methodology.
- Criterion C (Critical Thinking): An RQ with evaluative elements enables deeper analysis, counterclaims, and reflection.
Well-developed RQs lead to more coherent, engaging essays and higher overall marks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can I change my RQ after starting research?
A1: Yes—IB allows reasonable revisions as long as your final version aligns with your subject and investigation approach. Keep your supervisor updated.
Q2: When should I plan my RQ?
A2: You should draft an initial version during the planning phase and refine it continuously as you research and outline.
Q3: Should I include personal pronouns in my question?
A3: No—avoid “I” or “we.” Use objective wording and formal tone.
Q4: Can I revise the RQ after my first supervisor meeting?
A4: Absolutely—feedback helps improve specificity and alignment with IB expectations.
Conclusion: A Strong RQ Is the Core of a Strong EE
Treat your research question as a living element—refine it multiple times to ensure clarity, significance, and analytical potential. With RevisionDojo’s guidance, you can craft a focused question that supports structured, evaluative, and high-scoring essays.
Call to Action
Ready to refine your Research Question?
- ✅ Use RevisionDojo’s RQ Evaluation Checklist and subject-specific templates
- ✅ Access EE planning guides that integrate RQ development into structure and argument mapping
- ✅ Subscribe for guided tools that align RQ formulation with IB success strategies
👉 Visit RevisionDojo to refine your EE with confidence.
