How to Choose An Extended Essay Topic In Economics Text

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Extended essays are necessary to obtain most international baccalaureate ib degrees, and they are a kind of paper many students have not experienced before. keep your paper requirements in mind. your extended essay should be in a subject that was part of your ib studies. For example, a comparative study of a particular theme in two novels would be better than to focus on a single novel. do background reading. before you start brainstorming for topic ideas, read books and articles about your broad area of interest.

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It does not need to be perfect you need it as a starting point for the next step. use the idea wheel technique. write your topic in the center of a sheet of paper. This exercise can help you choose a specific focus of your paper that will be both manageable and original. The role and significance of dance in jane austen's emma and pride and prejudice. The presentation of racial conflicts in james baldwin's go tell it on the mountain and richard wright's the outsider. The effects of sulfur dioxide and ozone levels in the atmosphere on the growth of lichens.

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The effectiveness of commercially available antibacterial agents for controlling the growth of e. Apr 6th, 2012 @ 0 am rsaquo james penstone some useful web sites to get you thinking about choosing your topic / question, and your overall approach to the ee: general ee advice: the official ibo diploma programme extended essay guide can be downloaded from a variety of websites, such as the following: it is well worth reading the economics section in the above guide check the book marks on the left hand side, details subject specific. Other economics specific advice: these subject guidelines should be read in conjunction with the assessment criteria an extended essay in economics provides students with an opportunity to undertake in depth research in economics in an area of personal interest to them. It allows students to develop research skills, to apply economic theory to real world situations, and to analyse and evaluate the outcomes of their research. The outcome of the research should be a coherent and structured analytical essay that effectively addresses the particular research question. Choice of topic students should undertake an essay that uses the core principles of economics as a basis for researching a particular topic. Students should use a combination of primary and secondary research as the basis for their extended essay, and should apply the accepted theories, tools and techniques of the subject to the topic chosen.

They should be related to economic information that is no more than three years old. Essays that are too retrospective, for example, what was the impact of the south east asian crash on thailand during 1990 1995? , almost invariably become descriptive. Students should ensure that their research question can be answered using economic concepts and theories, and that the question does not lean too heavily towards business and management. The topic chosen should provide opportunities for some critical analysis of the data collected. Topics that depend entirely on summarizing general secondary data should be avoided, as they are likely to lead to an essay that is essentially narrative or descriptive in nature. However, the effective use of relevant secondary data to answer the research question will be fully rewarded by the examiner. Restricting the scope of the essay will help to ensure a clear focus, and will also provide opportunities for demonstrating detailed economic understanding and critical analysis.

Choosing a research question that is made up of more than one question is unlikely to result in a successful essay mdash for example, is the caf industry in vienna an example of oligopoly and, if so, do the caf s collude with each other? or what is the effect of interest rate policy on aggregate demand in greece and what should the government do to increase aggregate demand?. I n the first example, the answer to the first part of the question must be affirmative in order to proceed with the essay. The following examples of titles for economics extended essays are intended as guidance only.

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The pairings illustrate that focused topics indicated by the first title should be encouraged rather than broad topics indicated by the second title. What market form characterizes the petrol supply industry in my area of madrid? is better than what is the market structure of the spanish petroleum industry?. What is the effect of the recent imposition of a minimum wage in austria on unemployment in the fast food industry in graz? is better than what has been the effect of the minimum wage on unemployment in austria?.

To what extent has the fall in the exchange rate of the us dollar affected the tourist industry in carmel. California? is better than how has the fall in the exchange rate of the us dollar affected the us economy?. What has been the economic effect of water privatization on the farming industry in my region of zambia? is better than how has the privatization of water affected zambia?. It may help if the student further defines the topic chosen for study in the form of a research question, followed by a statement of intent that indicates which broad process is going to be used in answering the question. Will the recent policy of cutting bakery prices lead to increased revenue for the safeway supermarket in ryde, sydney? approach: primary research is conducted through observation and supported by secondary research, such as company records and textbooks. This results in a detailed examination of elasticity and its relationship with total revenue.

To what extent did matav, a hungarian telecommunications company, become more efficient post privatization? approach: primary data is collected through interviews with company management qualitative research and secondary data is collected by accessing company reports. Topic: the impact of monetary policy research question: has the kenyan central bank's policy of interest rate cuts led to a rise in new car sales in nairobi? approach. A consumer questionnaire quantitative research is circulated and interviews qualitative research are carried out with sales managers of new car firms.

Treatment of the topic it is important that the topic and research question reflect a firm emphasis on economics, and that they do not become directed towards another subject area. Where topics could be approached from different viewpoints, such as business or history, the treatment of material must reflect an approach that uses economic theory and, therefore, meets the subject requirements of economics. Students must choose a research question that can be treated effectively within the word limit and is not of a trivial nature. Research questions that do not allow a systematic and meaningful investigation using relevant economic theory, and do not demonstrate critical analysis and detailed understanding, are unlikely to be suitable in economics. In some instances, it may become clear at an early stage in the research that too little information is available to permit such an investigation. Students may be encouraged to carry out original research on a topic within any of the syllabus sections in the current economics guide.one advantage of doing an essay on a microeconomics topic is the ability to carry out primary research in the form of surveys, questionnaires or interviews.

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Nonetheless, it is also possible to carry out a highly successful analysis of a question related to macroeconomics, international economics or development economics, as long as the data and information collected are used to construct a clear, reasoned argument in response to a sufficiently narrow research question. The main danger of choosing a question from these areas is in choosing a research question that is inappropriately wide. In addition, it is very important that the question is original and has not already been answered in secondary sources. In this case, the danger would be that the student might simply present a summary of secondary sources rather than a new reasoned argument. Students should integrate relevant economic theory with the evidence obtained through the research.