LibGuides: Extended Essay: Reflection (RPPF)

Completing the RPPF

Writing good reflections for your Extended Essay is one of the easiest ways to guarantee 6 points on your evaluation (Criteria E). Take your time writing them, edit your responses, and make sure you have addressed the important aspects of your reflection meetings.

Completing the RPPF

Prompts for Excellent Reflections

Avoid using only description and keep descriptions brief. Use the prompts to spark your thinking.

Descriptive Ideas (limited reflection)

What did I do?
How did I undertake my research?
What were the problems I faced?
Did my approach or strategies change throughout the process?
What have been the high and the low points of the research and writing process?

Analytical Ideas (good reflection)

To what extent was my research successful?
If I changed approach or strategies during the process, why did I do this?
What did I learn from the experience in terms of my understanding of the subject area and/or skills needed?
How has my understanding of the topic and process developed?

Evaluative Ideas (excellent reflection)

If I did this again, what would I do differently?
If I did this again, would I change the theories applied, or my methodology?
Would there be a different outcome?
What can I conclude?
Were the strategies I used most appropriate for achieving my outcomes?
What questions emerged as a result of my research? Would these questions influence my approach if I did this all over again?

Source: Shekou Int School Libguide & IBO

RPPF #1

First Reflection

We suggest devoting around 100 words to the first reflection. In this early stage of your investigation right after beginning the reflection sessions with your supervisor, you are expected to describe your idea of the topic and research question for the extended essay. Discuss the possible approaches to answering the question as well as the reason for choosing this specific topic. Summarize the steps that you have undertaken so far.

Guiding questions:

What interests me about this research topic and what drives my exploration in this area?
What approaches could I take to conduct this research?
Are the research methods I've chosen appropriate for the subject area?
Is my research area sufficiently focused?
What potential challenges do I foresee encountering during my research?
How do I plan to employ the sources I've gathered?

Source: Clastify

RPPF #2

Second Reflection

This part, completed around the middle of your writing process, should take up around 200 words. Present the progress that occurred in your investigation. Discuss what challenges you had and what were your solutions to address the encountered problems. Comment on the resulting changes that you adopted (perhaps you decided on a different research question or changed the methodology).

Guiding questions:

What was my starting point?
Where do I currently stand? What do I do next?
Which approach did I decide to adopt?
How do I assess the reliability and relevance of my sources?
What problems I encountered and how I decided to solve them?
What are the biggest challenges to completing my extended essay?

Source: Clastify

RPPF #3 (Viva Voce)

Third Reflection (Viva Voce)

Use the remaining 200 words for the final reflection. Comment on your entire EE writing journey. Discuss what it has taught you, and what skills have you acquired. You can make references to IB's Approaches to Learning. State the extent to which you have answered the research question and evaluate your essay.

Guiding questions:

What is the most significant lesson I've learned from this experience?
Which obstacle presented the greatest difficulty, and how did I manage to overcome it?
What questions have arisen as a result of my investigation?
What conclusions have I reached regarding the topic?
What I would have done differently?

Source: Clastify