EE Criterion E: Engagement (6 marks)

This criterion is applied by the examiner at the end of the assessment of the essay, after considering the student’s Reflections on planning and progress Form (RPPF). It assesses the overall impression the examiner has with regard to the student’s engagement with the research process and their subject area. (IBO 2016:126)

Students are expected to provide reflections on the decision-making and planning process undertaken in completing the essay. Students must demonstrate how they arrived at a topic as well as the methods and approach used. This criterion assesses the extent to which a student has evidenced the rationale for decisions made throughout the planning process and the skills and understandings developed. 

For example, students may reflect on: 

• the approach and strategies chosen, and their relative success 

• the Approaches to learning skills they have acquired and how they have developed as a learner 

• how their conceptual understandings have developed or changed as a result of their research 

• setbacks faced in their research and how they overcame these 

• questions that emerged as a result of their researchwhat they would do differently if they were to undertake the research again. 



Effective reflection highlights the journey the student has engaged in through the EE process. In order to demonstrate that engagement, students must show evidence of critical and reflective thinking that goes beyond simply describing the procedures that have been followed. Reflections must provide the examiner with an insight into student thinking, creativity and originality within the research process.  The student voice must be clearly present and demonstrate the learning that has taken place.