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The first reflection of the Extended Essay (EE) shows how you are thinking about your topic, how your research question is developing, and how you are responding to early challenges. This reflection is completed after your initial research and focuses on how your ideas are developing. This guide will outline what makes a good first EE reflection and will also provide an example, so that you can see what a good first reflection looks like.
EE First Reflection
What is the EE first reflection?
The IB EE first reflection is a short written response completed as part of the RPPF Form. It is typically done after your initial research and first meeting with your supervisor. Its purpose is to show how you chose your topic, how your research question has begun to develop, and what challenges you have already faced. Rather than summarizing information, it focuses on your thinking, decisions, and planning surrounding the initial stages of your EE research and writing. You should explain why your chosen topic interests you, how feedback or research helped you refine your focus, and what your next steps will be. The first reflection demonstrates personal engagement and awareness of the research process, which are key parts of the assessment criteria.
What type of questions will my supervisor ask?
Below you'll find the questions that your EE supervisor may ask you during the first interview:
Why did you choose this topic? What interests you most about it?
What is your current research question? What exactly are you trying to find out or analyze?
What kinds of sources have you found so far?
Have you noticed different viewpoints in your sources?
Do you think your topic might need to change or be refined?
What difficulties have you faced so far?
How will you start organizing your argument or structure?
What are the next steps you plan on taking after this meeting?
Example of a good first EE reflection
At the start of my research, I was interested in how social media affects teenagers’ mental health because I saw its impact on my peers and in my own life. I soon realized that this topic was too broad to analyze specific psychological effects in depth. After reviewing initial sources and discussing my ideas with my supervisor, I refined my focus to anxiety related to Instagram use among adolescents, which allowed me to develop a clearer and more researchable question.
One challenge I faced was finding studies that focused specifically on Instagram rather than social media in general, since many sources grouped multiple platforms together. To address this, I plan to use psychological journals and databases that include platform-specific research. I also recognized the need to clearly define “anxiety,” so I will rely on clinical definitions and measurable indicators such as stress levels and sleep disruption. This process has shown me the importance of refining my question, and my next step is to gather more peer-reviewed studies and compare different explanations for anxiety among Instagram users.
This is a good first reflection for the following reasons:
Shows personal engagement – The student explains why the topic matters to them, which shows genuine interest in the psychology behind social media and mental health.
Demonstrates development of the research question – The student clearly explains how the topic became more focused on Instagram use among adolescents and why that change was necessary.
Acknowledges challenges honestly – The student discusses problems with finding sources and defining key terms, which shows realistic engagement with the research process.
Explains future plans clearly – The student explains what they will do next to gather more peer-reviewed studies and compare different explanations for anxiety among Instagram users, thus showing their initiative and problem-solving skills.
We hope you found this post helpful in learning more about the EE first reflection. For more useful materials associated with the IB, check out the wide variety of IA, EE and TOK exemplars available at Clastify and other guides available on our blog.
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