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Are you beginning your Extended Essay (EE) journey and wondering what the RRS is? This post is here to give you a detailed overview of the RRS so that you can effectively document your learning journey.
What is the RRS?
The Researcher's Reflection Space (RRS) is a personal learning environment and support tool designed to assist students throughout the research and writing process for their EE. While not a formal part of the essay itself, it acts as a scaffold for developing critical thinking, reflection, and research skills.
Purpose and Function
The RRS serves as a planning and reflection tool that allows students to:
Record Progress: Students use the space to track the evolution of their thinking, record brainstormed ideas, and document emerging questions.
Prepare for Meetings: It helps students prepare for the three mandatory reflection sessions with their supervisors by providing a record of their research journey.
Support Academic Integrity: By classifying entries as personal thoughts versus external work and recording details during the research phase, it serves as a tool to ensure proper citation and avoid misconduct.
Facilitate Ownership: It provides a venue for students to express their voice and personal connection to their chosen topic, which helps maintain motivation and authenticity.
Content and Formats
The RRS is flexible and can be a physical journal or a virtual space. It may contain a diverse range of entries, including:
Reflections on readings, social media feeds, blogs, or newspaper clippings.
Notes on discussions from classes or meetings with experts.
A record of challenges encountered and the decisions made to overcome them.
Notes on evaluative skills and conceptual understanding.
Role in Assessment
While the RRS is not submitted for assessment or externally marked, it is considered essential for completing the Reflection and Progress Form (RPF). The RPF requires a final 500-word reflective statement, which is assessed under Criterion E. Students are encouraged to use excerpts and insights gathered in their RRS to write this statement, as it provides evidence of their learning achievements, growth, and the evaluative nature of their research experience. In summary, the RRS is a vital tool for self-regulated learning, helping students navigate the complex 40-hour EE journey while ensuring their work remains authentic and well-documented.
We hope you found this post helpful in learning more about the RRS. 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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