Evaluating Critical Reflection for Postgraduate Students in Computing

In this paper the assumption that critical reflection skills are acquired automatically during postgraduate study is queried by examining whether keeping a reflective journal is an aid in developing reflective habits. All course outlines in the postgraduate program studied for this paper state that students will learn how to critique issues relating to the topic being studied. The assumption is that critical reflection is a skill that is acquired automatically during the degree. Postgraduate students at this particular institution are required to complete a Research Methods course before enrolling in a thesis or dissertation. Research Methods students are encouraged but not required to keep a reflective journal. This paper reports on the effectiveness of keeping a reflective journal by analyzing results obtained over five semesters within the Research Methods course.