Supervisor Responsibilities

Core Responsibilities

1. Provide process-focused guidance

Support the student in understanding how to form a research question and use appropriate research methods.

2. Discuss and refine the topic and research question

Help the student choose a suitable topic, pathway and subject registration, and guide them in refining the question so that it is focused, feasible and aligned with the subject or pathway chosen.

3. Ensure understanding of EE requirements

Make sure the student understands:

• the expectations of the extended essay

• the assessment criteria

• the chosen pathway (subject focused or interdisciplinary)

• ethical and safety requirements

• responsibilities for academic integrity

4. Supervise ethical, safe and responsible research

Check that the research question and methods comply with legal, ethical and safety standards relating to health, human rights, confidentiality, animal welfare and environmental issues.

5. Offer up to five hours of support

Be available for three to five hours of supervision across the EE process, including support between the formal reflection sessions.

6. Conduct three mandatory reflection sessions

Hold the initial, interim and final reflection sessions and record the student’s attendance on the RPF.

Ensure the student completes one reflective statement of up to 500 words, which appears on the final page of the RPF.

7. Provide feedback on one draft only

Offer comments on a single complete draft, focusing on:

• clarity

• structure

• argument

• use of sources

Supervisors must not edit, rewrite, correct language or provide detailed line-by-line suggestions.

8. Monitor academic integrity

Ensure that the essay is the student’s own work. If concerns arise, supervisors must notify the EE Coordinator.

9. Authenticate the final essay

After the final reflection session, confirm that the essay is authentic on the RPF.

10. Support reflective and independent learning

Encourage the student to use their Researcher’s Reflection Space (RRS) for planning and reflection, recognising that it is not assessed and not monitored.

Supervisors Must Not...

provide subject-specific content

edit or rewrite any part of the essay

proofread for grammar, style or accuracy

give feedback on more than one full draft

generate or correct ideas for the student

tell the student what to write or how to structure it