One of the most important tasks in the Diploma Programme that you will complete is to write an IB Biology Extended Essay. To do so, you need to understand the biology extended essay format as well.
Biology EE is a considerable amount of independent research, which will give you a chance to work on a topic that is actually interesting to you and will show you how to think scientifically, communicate effectively, and think critically.
Even 4,000 words can be not that daunting, having a clear idea of the format and intent of the extended essay, you can approach the task with confidence and organize your research in such a manner that you can demonstrate your scientific acumen.
Biology Extended Essay Format
The International Baccalaureate does not impose rigid standards to limit the creative process, but to be fair and to make sure that the essential elements of scientific enquiry have been well-portrayed.
The clarity of logical structure aids in explaining your science in a manner that an examiner can read and evaluate, demonstrating your capability of thinking and writing as a scientist.
Title Page
The first thing the examiner notices is your title page, and it should be straight and to the point. This must include your research question, mention that your topic is Biology, and the word count.
This page sets the stage for what is to come. Personal information, such as your name or your supervisor’s name, should not be included here; the research is everything.
Table of Contents
Right after the title page, there should be a table of contents. This ought to include every section and subsection, along with the page numbers.
Although this might appear to be nothing more than a logistical matter, a properly structured contents page indicates that this was thought out and makes your essay easier to read. When examiners are evaluating your work, they usually consult it.
Introduction
This is where you can introduce the topic, provide background on the biological context, and justify your research question. Start with the larger biological concept or system, and then focus on the actual question you are going to examine.
For example, say your research question is: how does the intensity of light influence the rate of photosynthesis?
In your introduction, you just give a cursory discussion of what photosynthesis is, what the intensity of light may have to do with it, and why it is worth studying. This presents the scientific problem to the reader and explains why your study would be relevant. It is not merely about asking the question, but about providing a reason why that question is significant.
Literature Review
The literature review will fall between your introduction and your practical research. It is meant to demonstrate how your research question will be integrated with existing scientific knowledge.
It is not a generalization of all you read, nor a list of facts. Rather, you are expected to critically review the research and studies that are pertinent to your question, how they corroborate or contradict your question, and what gaps or issues remain that your research will assist in addressing.
As an example, when you are researching the activity of enzymes, you might consult the research done on the impact of temperature on enzymes in general and state how your research is building on that of others or how it may differ.
Literature reviews allow researchers to place their work in the wider scientific discourse, and your EE should do the same.
Methodology
The methodology section explains how you conducted your research. This must be very clear and specific so that a second researcher could replicate your work if they desired to. Elaborate on the experimental design or field work process, the independent and dependent variable and how you managed to regulate other variables.
Assuming that you were able to perform a lab experiment, what were the steps and apparatus, and why was this approach suitable to answer your research question? Be sure to provide sufficient details so that a person unfamiliar with your subject can appreciate your work, what you did, and why.
This section demonstrates that you are familiar with the scientific methods and can conduct a dependable study.
Findings
In this section, you should have your raw data and processed results. Show your data clearly and easily comprehensively through tables, graphs, and charts, but do not attempt to interpret them; that is done later. Good illustrations are not adorned; they ought to assist the reader in observing the patterns or trends your statistics disclose.
In the IB Extended Essays format, it is highly advised that only processed data that is directly applicable to your research be presented in the main body of the essay, and long tables of raw data are frequently provided in the appendices. Your figures must be clearly labeled in units and include clear legends.
Discussion
After presenting the results, your discussion gives a version of what you have presented with respect to your research question. It is here that you make interpretations, compare whether the findings substantiate your hypothesis, and seek alternative explanations for your findings.
There is no reason to be afraid of limiting the scope of information–be it the constraints of the experimental design, the accuracy of the measurement, or the sample size. Being open about these not only enhances the scientific quality of what you are doing but also demonstrates critical thinking: an important attribute in getting a high mark.
Here you go deeper into the biological processes behind your findings and relate them to the work you have read above, thus forming a coherent scientific story.
Conclusion
The conclusion should not be a repetition of results. Rather, it must bring together all the previous sections to provide a direct answer to the research question. Conclude about the main results and answer the question whether your hypothesis was proven or not, emphasize on the biological relevance of your study.
There is a limit of 4,000 words, so this section has to be brief and to the point. Do not bring in new information or concepts in this. When your study has pointed out new paths of research, state this in a word or so, but never lose sight of the fact of what your study actually revealed. ([TutorsPlus][1])
References and Bibliography
You ought to cite all the sources you apply throughout your essay. Whichever style of writing one is using, whether APA, MLA, or any other recognised style, consistency is very important. All the books, articles, or sites that you used should be cited in your bibliography.
This becomes easy by tracking back your sources as you proceed. It is in this part that many students lose marks due to missed or improperly structured citations; it is better to pay close attention to this section.
Appendices
Any supplementary information that is too large to fit in the main body, yet that informs your investigation (sample calculations, raw data table, detailed procedural diagrams, and so on) should be included in an appendix. This content does not go to your word count and can assist in showing how seriously you researched a topic.
Although content is the most important in the essay, the International Baccalaureate also demands that the essay is presented professionally, that is, in a double-spaced, readable font (like Times New Roman or Arial), 12-point font, with standard margin and page numbers. These are basic formatting rules that enhance readability and academic discipline.
The IB also insists that information about the people should not be used in the essay itself; the research should do it on its own.
Also Read: How Many Sources Do You Need for IB Extended Essay? MIN & MAX
Final Thoughts
The International Baccalaureate Biology Extended Essay with a high score is not merely a long report; it is a bit of scientific research, with literature, experimental design, clear data presentation, and insightful interpretation. Make yourself tell a coherent scientific story by basing each part on your research question and continually returning to biological theory.
Having a well-thought-out plan, well-disciplined research, and clear-cut writing, your Biology EE may be one of the achievements that you are really proud of.
