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CAJCS Extended Essay Guide: INTERIM REFLECTION

Important and relevant information to assist you in writing your Extended Essay.

THE INTERIM REFLECTION SESSION

The interim, or second, reflection session takes place before the first full draft is completed, but after a substantial amount of work has been done. The first step is a mandatory interview between the student and the supervisor. The questions asked during this session tend to be more analytical, with a discussion of the strengths and limitations of initial findings and research methods.

This session is a continuation of the dialogue between the supervisor and student in which the student must demonstrate the progress they have made in their research. They must also be able to discuss any challenges they have encountered, offer their own potential solutions and seek advice as necessary. This interview informs the second

written reflection.  After the interview the students write their reflection in the RPP Form on Managebac. 

 

EXAMPLES OF INTERIM REFLECTION FROM CAJCS EE'S WHO HAVE RECEIVED 6 AND 5 IN THEIR REFLECTIONS

DURING THIS SESSION THE SUPERVISOR MIGHT DISCUSS:

A completed piece of sustained writing from the student in order to ensure that they understand the academic writing requirements, including referencing formats

  • whether an appropriate range of sources has been accessed and how the student is critically evaluating the origin of those sources.
  • what the student now has to do in order to produce the full draft of their essay, and ways and means of breaking down the task into manageable steps.

ACCOMMODATING A CHANGE OF DIRECTION

If the student or supervisor is not satisfied that the goals of the research are being met, further supervision sessions may be appropriate. Students who find that they need to change direction in their research or adjust the formulation of their research question should demonstrate the thinking that led them to these decisions in their second reflection on the Reflections on planning and progress form. They must not go back and adjust their initial reflections, as the purpose of the form is to demonstrate the evolution of their thinking in the research process.

HOW TO ACE YOUR EE REFLECTION

BY THE END OF THE INTERIM REFLECTION SESSION

By the end of the interim reflection session both student and supervisor should feel satisfied that there is:

•    a clear and refined research question.

•    a viable argument on which to base the essay.

•    a sufficient range of appropriate sources.

•    a clear vision for the final steps in the writing process.

REFLECTION PROMPTS FOR STUDENTS

Reflection Prompts for this interim Reflection Session(Use these prompts to write your reflection)

  • Where are you now in the research process?
  • What have you achieved so far and how did you manage this?
  • If You have changed the topic/RQ- Give specific reasons why you have done so.
  • What challenges have you faced and what strategies have you used to overcome these?
  • What changes need to be made in order to complete this research?
  • What have you learnt that might affect the way you continue?

IMPORTANT NOTE: THE WRITTEN REFLECTION SHOULD NOT BE MORE THAN 150 WORDS.

IBO Extended Essay Reflection Process

GUIDANCE FOR THE SUPERVISORS

 

Stage

Focus

Possible guiding questions for Supervisors

Interim Reflection

  • Reviewing credible sources.
  • Reviewing a clear and refined research question.
  • Reviewing methodology used
  • Reviewing the development of the essay.
  • Reviewing a viable argument on which to base the essay.

  • Where are you now in the research process?
  • What have you achieved so far and how did you manage this?
  • What challenges have you faced and whatstrategies have you used to overcome these?
  • Have you encountered any obstacles/problems in the research process and how have you overcome them?
  • How are you conducting independent research and adhering to the academic honesty policy?
  • Is the research question clear and refined?
  • How has your understanding of the question/topic changed?
  • What changes need to be made in order to complete this research?
  • What have you learned that might affect the way you continue?
  • Are there any inconsistencies in your argument and analysis?
  • Is your argument well structured and coherent?
  • Have you provided enough evidence to support a reasoned argument?
  • Have you critically evaluated this research?
  • Will the examiner be able to follow your line of argument throughout the essay?
  • Are there any last-minute adjustments or changes that you might make to improve your essay?

SOURCE: IBO EXTENDED ESSAY WEBSITE