Section 3: Reflection

What do I need to do?

​This History IA requires you to think and work like a historian. In this section, you reflect on the methods used by, and the challenges faced by, you as the historian. Relate this reflection specifically to your particular investigation and your experiences as a historian. 
The following are questions from the IB Guide and are examples of discussion questions that may help your reflection:
  • What methods used by historians did you use in your investigation?
  • What did your investigation highlight to you about the limitations of those methods?
  • What are the challenges facing the historian? How do they differ from the challenges facing a scientist or a mathematician?
  • What challenges in particular does archive-based history present?
  • How can the reliability of sources be evaluated?
  • What is the difference between bias and selection?
  • What constitutes a historical event?
  • Who decides which events are historically significant?
  • Is it possible to describe historical events in an unbiased way?
  • What is the role of the historian?
  • Should terms such as “atrocity” be used when writing about history, or should value judgments be avoided?
  • If it is difficult to establish proof in history, does that mean that all versions are equally acceptable?

How is it marked?

Useful links and resources:

Read the following examples - what do they have in common?

Criterion C
The reflection is focused on what the investigation highlighted to the student about the methods used by the historian. The reflection demonstrates some awareness of the challenges facing the historian and the limitations of the methods used by the historian. There is clear connection between the reflection and the rest of the investigation. 
On balance - 3/4  marks
Criterion C
The reflection contains some discussion of what the investigation highlighted to the student about the methods used by the historian. The reflection contains limited awareness of the challenges facing the historian and the limitations of the methods used by the historian. There is clear connection between the reflection and the rest of the investigation.  
Some elements of 3 marks, on balance: 2/4 marks
Criterion C
The reflection is clearly focused on what the investigation highlighted to the student about the methods used by the historian.  The reflection demonstrates clear awareness of the challenges facing the historian and some understanding of the limitations of the methods used by historians.  There is a clear and explicit connection between the reflection and the rest of the investigation.  
3/4 marks.
Criterion C
The reflection is focused on what the investigation highlighted to the student about the methods used by the historian. The reflection demonstrates some awareness of the challenges facing the historian and the limitations of the methods used by the historian. There is clear connection between the reflection and the rest of the investigation.
 3/ 4 marks