IB Extended Essay (STEM) 2026: Research Design Playbook

Study guide19 Sep 2025, 00:00 ZUpdated 23 Jul 2026

Q: What does IB Extended Essay (STEM) 2026: Research Design Playbook cover?
A: End-to-end guide for IB DP Year 1 scientists plotting a high-scoring Extended Essay.

TL;DR
Start with a sharply scoped research question, build a methodology matrix that balances data richness with safety/feasibility, and keep evidence of every AI or third-party input. The IB describes the extended essay as an independent 4,000-word research paper supported by three mandatory reflection sessions with a supervisor. (IB Extended essay overview)

Need a syllabus refresher before shortlisting EE topics? Pair this playbook with our latest IB Mathematics syllabus briefing: https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/ip-maths-tuition/International-Baccalaureate-(IB)-Mathematics-Syllabus-2025-2026 so you know how HL/SL content feeds into research questions.

If you are deciding between AA/AI routes or planning year-by-year foundations, our IP Maths hub is the best starting point: https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/ip-maths-tuition.

Status: IB's current Extended essay guide is for first assessment 2027. It keeps the 4,000-word essay cap, uses five criteria A to E, and requires a reflective statement of no more than 500 words on the RPF.

Sources

Add Eclat Institute as a Preferred Source on Google.

Domain	Sample RQ scaffold	Feasibility cues
Mechanics	"How does the launch angle influence energy transfer efficiency in a two-stage projectile launcher?"	Accessible with tracker video analysis + force sensors
Electricity	"How do graphene-coated electrodes affect capacitance retention in supercapacitors under varying humidity?"	Requires controlled lab access; align with school safety protocols

Domain	Sample RQ scaffold	Feasibility cues
Kinetics	"What is the effect of transition metal catalysts on the decomposition rate of hydrogen peroxide at 25 °C?"	Manageable with standard lab reagents; ensure temperature stability
Analytical	"How accurately can UV-Vis spectroscopy quantify food dye concentration in commercial beverages?"	Needs spectrophotometer access; plan calibration standards

Domain	Sample RQ scaffold	Feasibility cues
Modelling	"How well can logistic growth functions model dengue case data in Singapore from 2015-2024?"	Public data via MOH dashboards; use Python/R for curve fitting
Optimisation	"What is the optimal path planning strategy for a delivery drone navigating HDB estates?"	Use publicly available GIS data; justify constraints

Question component	Data source	Tools	Validation
Projectile launcher efficiency	Tracker video data, Vernier force sensor	Tracker, LoggerPro, Python	Re-run trials $n ≥ 5$ , compute uncertainty
Hydrogen peroxide decomposition	Oxygen volume vs time	Gas syringe, spreadsheet regression	Temperature control log, replicate runs
Dengue logistic model	MOH dataset, NEA weather data	Python (NumPy, SciPy), Tableau visuals	Goodness-of-fit (R²), residual analysis

DP timeline	Milestone	Evidence to capture
Term 1 (Apr-Jun)	Topic exploration, preliminary proposal	Brainstorm sheet, teacher feedback comments
Term 2 (Jul-Sep)	Pilot experiment / dataset test	Lab photos, sample calculations, initial code outputs
Term 3 (Oct-Dec)	Full data collection, first draft	Annotated graphs, error analysis table, RPF reflections 1 - 2
Term 4 (Jan-Mar)	Revision, supervisor viva, final submission	Final RPF reflection $≤500 words$ , Turnitin report, bibliography exports

IB Extended Essay (STEM) 2026: Research Design Playbook

Sources

1 Assessment essentials for the IB Extended Essay

1.1 Weighting and criteria

1.2 Integrity requirements

2 Frame a Research Question That Works

2.1 Physics templates

2.2 Chemistry templates

2.3 Mathematics templates

3 Build Your Methodology Matrix

4 Data Collection & Analysis Strategies

4.1 Experimental projects

4.2 Computational/simulation projects

4.3 Literature-supported investigations

5 Timeline & Reflection Cadence

6 Integrate EE Wins Into Your Portfolio

7 Support Stack & CTA

7.1 Reference library

7.2 CTA

Continue reading