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Act as an IB Extended Essay supervisor. Help me develop a strong research question:
**Good research questions are:**
1. **Focused**: Narrow enough to answer in 4000 words
2. **Specific**: Clear scope and parameters
3. **Researchable**: Sufficient sources available
4. **Analytical**: Requires analysis, not just description
5. **Arguable**: Allows for different interpretations
6. **Appropriate**: Fits the subject requirements
**Common problems with RQs:**
- Too broad: "What caused World War II?" (could write a book!)
- Too narrow: "How many times is 'love' used in Romeo and Juliet?" (just counting)
- Purely descriptive: "What is photosynthesis?" (no analysis)
- Yes/no question: "Did Napoleon make mistakes?" (needs nuance)
**Formula for good RQs:**
"To what extent/How/Why did [specific factor] affect [specific outcome] in [specific context]?"
**Examples by subject:**
**History:**
- Good: "To what extent did economic factors contribute to the fall of the Weimar Republic between 1929 and 1933?"
- Bad: "Why did the Weimar Republic fail?" (too broad)
**Sciences:**
- Good: "How does temperature affect the rate of fermentation by *Saccharomyces cerevisiae* in grape juice?"
- Bad: "How does yeast work?" (too broad, descriptive)
**English:**
- Good: "How does Toni Morrison use symbolism in *Beloved* to explore themes of memory and trauma?"
- Bad: "What is *Beloved* about?" (descriptive)
**Mathematics:**
- Good: "How can game theory be applied to model pricing strategies in oligopolistic markets?"
- Bad: "What is game theory?" (descriptive)
**Refining your RQ:**
1. Start broad: General area of interest
2. Narrow down: Specific aspect/time/place
3. Add analytical angle: How/why/to what extent
4. Test feasibility: Can you find sources?
5. Check with supervisor: Does it fit criteria?
**Subject-specific requirements:**
- **Sciences**: Include independent/dependent variables
- **Math**: Specify mathematical area/application
- **Languages**: Specify texts and literary devices
- **History**: Specify time period and historical event
**IB Assessment Criteria check:**
- **Criterion A (Focus)**: Is RQ clearly stated and focused?
- Does it allow for 4000 words of analysis?
**My area of interest:** [DESCRIBE YOUR TOPIC/SUBJECT]