ASSESSMENT
Summative assessment principles are used to assess the project.
The following are criterion for the RP
AO1: Focus and method
AO2: Knowledge and understanding in context
AO3: Critical thinking
AO4: Communication
AO5: Engagement and reflections on planning and progress
Students will be assessed on the following:
The descriptors are a measure of performance and should not be considered as marks, although
the descriptor levels are ultimately added together to obtain a total. The school will assess all
reflective projects. A sample will then be selected by the IB and sent to an external moderator for
confirmation of the school’s marks. The maximum score for the reflective project is 36. Any
student awarded a grade of E for the reflective project will not be awarded the IBCP Certificate.
A list of things to do:
Recommended: things to do:
- read the assessment criteria
- read previous essays to identify strengths and possible pitfalls
- spend time working out the research question (imagine the finished essay)
- work out a structure for the essay
- start work early and stick to deadlines
- maintain a good working relationship with their supervisor
- construct an argument that relates to the research question
- use the library and consult librarians for advice
- record sources as they go along (rather than trying to reconstruct a list at the end)
- choose a new topic and a research question that can be answered if there is a problem
with the original
- use the appropriate language for the subject
- let your interest and enthusiasm show
- write the abstract
- check and proofread the final version carefully
A list of things to avoid:
Students should not work with a research question that is too broad or too vague, too narrow, too difficult or inappropriate. A good research question is one that asks something worth asking and that is answerable within 40 hours/750-3,000 words. It should be clear what would count as evidence in relation to the question, and it must be possible to acquire such evidence in the course of the investigation. If a student does not know what evidence is needed, or cannot collect such evidence, it will not be possible to answer the research question. In addition, students should not:
One further piece of advice is as follows: the more background a student has in the subject, the better the chance he or she has of completing a high-quality Reflective Project. Choosing to write the Reflective Project in a subject that is not being studied as part of the career-related path often leads to lower marks.
adapted from South Island School