Introduction--Sample-Reflections
Reflections on your EE Planning and Progress
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You will be required to complete three formal discussions with your EE supervisor.
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After each of these discussions you will need to complete a written reflection on your progress through the EE so far.
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This will be recorded in your EE 'Planning and Progress Form' in Managebac.
Your reflections (Reflections on Planning and Progress Form - RPPF) will be sent with your final essay to the examiner, and will be used to determine your score for assessment Criterion E: Personal Engagement.
This is worth 18% of your overall EE score, so it is important you understand what it is all about.
Below is the general outline for Criterion E: Personal Engagement. Please see subject-specific details in the subject-specific assessment criterion (can be downloaded from the Subject Details section of the website);
5–6 - Engagement is excellent:
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Reflections on decision-making and planning are evaluative and include reference to the student’s capacity to consider actions and ideas in response to challenges experienced in the research process.
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These reflections communicate a high degree of intellectual and personal engagement with the research focus and process of research, demonstrating authenticity, intellectual initiative and/or creative approach in the student voice.
3–4 - Engagement is good:
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Reflections on decision-making and planning is analytical and includes reference to conceptual understanding and skill development.
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These reflections communicate a moderate degree of personal engagement with the research focus and process of research, demonstrating some intellectual initiative.
1–2 - Engagement is limited:
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Reflections on decision-making and planning are mostly descriptive.
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These reflections communicate a limited degree of personal engagement with the research focus and/or research process.
0 - The work does not reach a standard outlined by the description or a RPPF has not been submitted.
The crucial point is to show what the student has learned in terms of their understanding of the research process, its challenges and their own personal development.
The examiners will read the reflections together with the EE and will want to be able to recognize the student’s voice in their reflections.
The following exemplars are for guidance (please note that the exemplars are based on authentic student work but have been modified for illustrative purposes).
Some of the above content was adapted from the IBO Extended Essay Website (first exams 2018).