Finding strong Extended Essay topic ideas is often the hardest part of the entire process — not because good topics don’t exist, but because most students either pick something too broad to research properly or too narrow to sustain 4,000 words of genuine analysis. Below are 50 topic ideas organized by subject, each written as a starting point you can narrow into a precise research question.
Biology
- The effect of a specific environmental stressor on a local plant or insect population
- Comparing antimicrobial properties of different plant extracts
- Investigating a genetic disorder’s prevalence and inheritance pattern within a specific population
- The impact of a specific human activity on a local ecosystem’s biodiversity
- Comparing the effectiveness of different pollination strategies in a local plant species
- The physiological effects of a specific type of exercise on heart rate recovery
Chemistry
- Comparing the efficiency of different natural indicators in acid-base titrations
- Investigating factors affecting the shelf life of a specific food preservative
- The relationship between molecular structure and boiling point in a homologous series
- Comparing the antioxidant capacity of different beverages using a chemical assay
- Investigating the corrosion resistance of different metal alloys under controlled conditions
Physics
- Investigating the physics behind a specific sport’s optimal technique (e.g., the physics of a golf swing)
- Comparing the acoustic properties of different materials used in musical instrument construction
- The relationship between a pendulum’s design and its energy loss over time
- Investigating the aerodynamics of a specific everyday object’s design
- Comparing the efficiency of different renewable energy setups on a small scale
Economics
- The impact of a specific government policy on a local or national market
- Investigating the effectiveness of a minimum wage change on employment in a specific sector
- Comparing the economic impact of tourism on two similar regions
- The relationship between a country’s education spending and economic growth
- Investigating market failure in a specific, locally relevant industry
Psychology
- Investigating factors influencing conformity within a specific cultural context
- The relationship between social media use and self-reported anxiety in a specific age group
- Comparing memory recall techniques among a specific participant group
- Investigating the impact of a specific parenting style on adolescent decision-making
- The relationship between sleep patterns and academic performance in IB students specifically
History
- The role of a specific individual in shaping the outcome of a lesser-studied historical event
- Comparing propaganda strategies used by two opposing sides in a specific conflict
- Investigating the causes of a specific, regionally significant historical uprising
- The impact of a specific economic policy on a historical period of social change
- Comparing historiographical interpretations of a controversial historical figure
English / Literature
- Comparing the representation of a specific theme across two works by the same author
- Investigating how a specific narrative technique shapes reader perception in a chosen novel
- Comparing the treatment of a social issue in works from two different literary periods
- The evolution of a specific character archetype across a writer’s body of work
Business Management
- Investigating the effectiveness of a specific marketing strategy used by a real local business
- Comparing the leadership styles of two organizations facing a similar market challenge
- The impact of a specific HR policy on employee retention in a real organization
- Investigating how a specific company adapted its business model in response to a market disruption
Visual Arts / Film / Music
- Comparing the visual techniques used by two artists addressing a similar theme
- Investigating how a specific director’s cinematographic choices shape audience emotion in a chosen film
- Comparing compositional techniques across two works from different musical periods
Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS)
- Investigating the impact of a specific local land-use change on biodiversity
- Comparing the effectiveness of two waste management strategies in a specific community
- The relationship between a specific pollutant and water quality in a local water source
World Studies (Interdisciplinary)
- Investigating a global issue (e.g., water scarcity, urbanization) through the combined lens of two subjects, such as Geography and Economics
- Comparing the health and economic impacts of a specific public health policy across two countries
Global Politics
- Investigating the effectiveness of a specific international agreement in addressing its intended issue
- Comparing how two governments have responded to a similar political or social crisis
- Investigating the role of a specific non-state actor in shaping a regional political outcome
How to Turn a Topic Idea Into a Real Research Question
Every idea above is intentionally a starting point, not a finished research question. Before committing, narrow it down using three filters: Can you access enough primary or secondary sources to research it properly? Does it allow for genuine analysis rather than just description? Can you realistically cover it within 4,000 words? (For a full breakdown of this process, see our guide on writing a strong Extended Essay research question.)
Final Tip
The strongest Extended Essays almost always come from a topic idea narrowed down through a real conversation with your supervisor — use this list as a starting point for that conversation, not as a final answer.