CAJCS Extended Essay Guide: MANAGING SCIENCE EE'S WITHOUT LAB WORK OR FIELD WORK

Students should always explain ideas carefully to show understanding of the relevant chemical principles underlying any investigation. When databases or other people´s results are used, students should be sure they understand the method used, that they will be able to use it to support their argument, and that they can evaluate it effectively.

There are some experiments that could be carefully done at home, using everyday chemicals such as vinegar, sodium hydrogen carbonate, cooking oil, hydrogen peroxide, etc. and electronic scales, together with glassware. However, students should take care to develop a challenging research question. If this option is being considered, health and safety procedures must be taken into account and discussed with the student.

It is also possible to produce a good essay using virtual labs.

With imagination, experimentation is possible, for example the water can collapsing experiment, making reference to Torricelli's law. However, it is important to note that if the student is carrying out an experiment at home, they must perform a risk analysis and check with the supervisor prior to starting any data collection.

Simulation is a method that can be useful, but it is important to list all the input statements you need to enter before the simulation comes into play. Which dependent variable(s) are to be explored? What are the corresponding independent variables? What uncertainties does the simulation present?

When using secondary sources, it is important to explain the origin of the available data, which experimental method was followed, what equipment was used, and what uncertainties and limitations are evident.

Survey essays in physics can be successful, but there are pitfalls to avoid. The purpose of the essay is not principally to inform the reader, nor to deliver a summary of collected information. The student should be personally involved, not simply act as an informant. Arguments, counter arguments, and critical thinking should be evident.

Due to the multidisciplinary nature of ESS, there are many online sources of publications. However, the data needs to be manipulated in order to investigate the association between the well-being of a society and the quality of the environment in which a society lives.

Students can use online sources of biological publications, for example, epidemiological data from WHO or PubMed. Other sources of data include university and government websites and databases as well as data released by other organizations involved in environmentally related research.