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Psychology is one of the most popular subjects for the extended essay (EE) in the IB curriculum, and it’s easy to see why. 

The flexibility in choosing research questions allows students to align their work with personal interests, and the structure is convenient as they must conduct a review of existing research rather than performing primary research. 

Despite these advantages, Psychology EEs are not among the highest graded; in May 2024, it was the fourth most popular EE subject but proportionally received fewer A grades than average. 

A key reason for this underperformance is the lack of evaluation in essays. Here’s how supervisors can guide students to score better by effectively evaluating research.

The Importance of Evaluation

Out of the 34 total points available for the Psychology EE, 12 are dedicated to Criterion C: critical thinking, which is the highest-weighted criterion. 

The IB syllabus emphasises that “critical-thinking skills have been used to analyse and evaluate the research undertaken.” 

This shows that evaluation is not just a component but a critical part of an EE. 

Students must demonstrate deep analytical skills and provide judgements on the strengths and weaknesses of the research they use. Without substantial evaluation, it becomes difficult for students to reach the highest bands in Criterion C.

Teaching a Systematic Approach: GRAVE

One effective method supervisors can teach is the acronym GRAVE: Generalisable, Reliable, Applicable, Valid, and Ethical. 

This framework provides a structured way for students to evaluate studies, encouraging them to think critically about the research they present. 

However, it’s important that students don’t merely list these terms and provide short, generic evaluations. 

Instead, they should identify the two most significant elements from GRAVE that relate to their chosen study and build well-evidenced and elaborated PEEL (Point, Evidence, Explain, Link) paragraphs around these elements.

The evaluations should not stand alone but must be integrated into the discussion within the EE. 

Supervisors should remind students to link the strengths or limitations of the research back to the central argument of their essay. 

For instance, they might consider how a limitation in the study affects the credibility of a certain explanation or how a strength bolsters the argument they’re making. 

The aim is to create a cohesive narrative where evaluations serve as building blocks in forming a justified and logical conclusion.

Supervisors as Guides: Encouraging Critical Thinking

Supervisors play a crucial role in developing students’ evaluative skills. 

During supervision meetings, engaging students in verbal discussions about their chosen research can stimulate deeper thinking. 

Asking probing questions like “What are the implications of this study’s reliability for your argument?” or “How does the study’s ethical consideration impact its applicability?” can help students see how evaluations connect to their overall argument.

Feedback on drafts is another vital tool. Supervisors should ensure their feedback explicitly focuses on evaluation and how it links to the essay’s overall argument. 

Written comments and one-to-one meetings are great opportunities to highlight areas where students need to strengthen their critical analysis. 

By guiding students to integrate evaluation seamlessly and meaningfully into their essays, supervisors can help raise the quality of EEs and boost overall grades.

A Rewarding Experience for Supervisors

By emphasising evaluation and teaching students to apply it effectively, supervisors can significantly impact the quality of Psychology EEs. 

Using systematic approaches like GRAVE and focusing on integrating evaluations into the discussion can transform essays from descriptive summaries into critically engaging analyses. 

This approach not only supports students in achieving higher marks but also deepens their understanding of psychology and the importance of research evaluation.

I hope this article helps supervisors to enjoy the experience of guiding EE students. 

It’s a unique opportunity to explore different areas of psychology beyond the syllabus, revisit aspects of undergraduate studies, and build strong professional relationships with students who are excited and passionate about their work.

Have a super week, especially if you are on school break.  I hope you find the time to do the things that your love.

Thes

Future articles in this series:

• The secrets to top marks for reflection in EEs.
• A guide to EE referencing.
• The roles and responsibilities of an EE supervisor.