Extended Essay: Researcher's Reflective Space (RRS)

The Researcher's Reflection Space (RRS) is a personal learning environment that can be either a physical or virtual support tool - like a research or process journal  You use it to record reflections on what you are reading, writing and thinking. The use of the RRS will help you prepare for your reflection sessions with your supervisor and inform the discussions that take place.

In preparing for your reflection sessions you could use your RRS to:

• record your reflections
• respond to items that have come up in your research, such as photos, newspaper clippings, twitter feeds, blogs, and so on
• respond to prompts and questions that may arise in your subject area, TOK class or other aspects of the Diploma Programme
• create MindMaps ®
• record emerging questions

You may already be keeping a research journal on the planning, researching and writing phases of your work on the extended essay - that's your RRS!  Having a RRS will provide you benefits in terms of the management of your workload and focus on your extended essay. 

Researcher's Reflection Space - IB EE Guide (first exams 2018)

Excerpt from the IB EE Guide (first exams 2018) explaining what the Research'er Reflection Space (RRS) is, the role it plays in the researching and writing the extended essay, and how students can use it to help prepare for the three reflection sessions with their supervisors.

For more ideas on how to record your thoughts and ideas, see:

Researcher's Reflection Space (RRS) examples

Online Note-taking Tools:  NoodleTools

Using Brainstorming and Mind Maps

The following are examples of the different ways students can use their RSS to help with planning and writing their essays.