Reflective Project

The Reflective Project is an in-depth body of work produced over an extended period and submitted towards the end of the IBCP. Students investigate and focus on the ethical dimensions of an issue arising from their complementary career-related studies, and will therefore need to identify an issue of interest from their CRS subject that they would like to explore in greater depth. The Reflective Project is designed to draw together key elements of a student’s wider schedule of study and promote high-level research and writing skills, intellectual discovery and creativity.

The Reflective Project instils the key principles of academic research and dissertation methodology, key skills necessary to succeed in higher education. It also links closely with students’ chosen Career-Related Studies, thereby allowing them to investigate and gain a deeper understanding of central issues within their chosen vocation.

The Reflective Project is the only part of the IBCP Core that is externally assessed. Projects are internally marked, and then externally moderated by the IB.

This video provides an example of an ethical dilemma that students studying IT might choose to explore in their Reflective Project.

Course Aims

The Reflective Project aims to give students the opportunity to:

produce an extended piece of work
engage in personal inquiry, action and reflection on a specific ethical dilemma
present a structured and coherent argument
engage with local and/or global communities
develop research and communication skills
develop the skills of critical and creative thinking

Course Processes

There are five main stages in the research process:

defining the research’s purpose and objectives and the research question
conducting a literature review
designing appropriate data collection methods and analysing the data
reflecting on the research methodology adopted
presenting the research findings

Assessment Criteria

The reflective project is assessed using five assessment criteria designed to foster independent study and encourage students to use their own initiative.

AO1: Focus and method
AO2: Knowledge and understanding in context
AO3: Critical thinking
AO4: Communication
AO5: Engagement and reflections on planning and progress

This video explains the different stages of the Reflective Project and the steps students will need to take in order to succeed.

Research Conventions

The following steps are to be undertaken for any research assignment. The questions must be answered by teachers when preparing a research project and by students when completing the research assignment.

Define the task
Locate and access information
Understand the information
Organise the information
Synthesise the information and create an argument or narrative
Reflect, assess and evaluate

Transition Materials for Year 11s

Read through the Student Handbook. Then read the sample Reflective Project and Reflections Form, and use the Mark Scheme provided to decide what mark this project would receive.

Student Handbook

The Handbook is full of useful tips:

choosing your ethical dilemma
conducting your research
citing your sources
writing your essay
compiling your bibliography

Reflective Project

An example of an ethical dilemma: "Were the sanctions imposed on South Africa during Apartheid ethical?" You dont want to choose a question with a Yes/No answer: you need to be able to explore different angles and evaluate different perspectives.

Reflections Form

You will have regular meetings with your RP Supervisor: These will help you reflect on your progress, and you will need to submit copies of your reflections alongside your essay. Your Supervisor will also submit their comments.

Mark Scheme

The project is marked out of 32 using the criteria listed above.

AO1: 6 marks
AO2: 9 marks
AO3: 12 marks
AO4: 3 marks
AO5: 9 marks

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