How to Write a Reflective Journal using Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle
Master the six stages of Gibbs’ Cycle for rigorous reflective practice. Learn to structure your journal entries for critical assessment, linking clinical incidents to professional development and Actionable Reflection.
Defining Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle
Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle is a model used in nursing, education, and social work to guide reflective practice. It provides a six-stage structure for analyzing an experience, ensuring the reflection moves beyond description to genuine critical reflection and planned change. The six stages are: Description, Feelings, Evaluation, Analysis, Conclusion, and Action Plan. This structured approach is mandatory for many clinical and professional modules.
[Image of Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle diagram]The focus of this guide is the systematic application of the six stages of Gibbs’ Cycle, emphasizing the critical transition from subjective observation (Description and Feelings) to objective academic linking (Analysis). Mastering this process ensures your reflective journal demonstrates genuine professional growth and leads to Actionable Reflection.
Key Distinction:
A simple diary entry records what happened; a reflective journal using Gibbs’ Cycle demands an explanation of *why* it happened, *what* was learned, and *how* future practice will change. It forces critical reflection.
Mandatory Stages for Critical Reflection
Analysis (The Academic Link)
The pivot point of Gibbs’ Cycle. Requires linking the incident (Description) to external literature, theory, or policy to explain the cause of success/failure.
Conclusion (The Learning Point)
Summarizes the key learning outcome from the critical reflection. This must be focused on what *you* learned, not what others did.
Action Plan (Actionable Reflection)
The final, practical step. Detailing specific, measurable steps for improvement to ensure the learning is integrated into future reflective practice.
Stages 1-3: Subjectivity and Assessment
Stage 1: Description (What Happened?)
The Description stage is purely factual. It sets the scene for the reflective journal by answering: What happened? Where? When? Who was involved? What did you do? Crucially, exclude judgment, feelings, or analysis here. Treat this stage as raw data collection for the critical reflection.
Stage 2: Feelings (What Were You Thinking?)
The Feelings stage documents your subjective response. What were your feelings before, during, and after the event? What were your immediate thoughts? This section allows you to recognize how emotion influenced your actions, preparing the ground for objective scrutiny in the later Analysis stage.
Stage 3: Evaluation (What Was Good/Bad?)
The Evaluation stage is the first step toward assessment. What aspects of the incident were positive, and what was negative? What contributed to the success or failure of the outcome? This judgment should be personal but fair, identifying both your strengths and weaknesses in the situation before moving to theoretical justification.
Need help structuring a complex clinical experience into a compliant reflective journal? Our experts specialize in applying Gibbs’ Cycle to nursing and healthcare scenarios, often used in case study writing.
Stages 4-6: Analysis, Conclusion, and Action
Stage 4: Analysis (Making Sense of the Situation)
The Analysis stage is the core of critical reflection. You must step back from the subjective experience and apply objective knowledge. Why did things happen as they did? What theory (e.g., communication theory, ethical models, or policy guidelines) explains the situation? Use external sources to justify the successes or failures identified in the Evaluation stage. This is where you demonstrate reflective practice at an academic level.
The Analysis must answer: “What knowledge (from my learning) helps me understand this?” Failure to incorporate external theory results in a low-grade reflective journal.
Stage 5: Conclusion (What Did I Learn?)
The Conclusion summarizes the overall learning gained from the incident and the Analysis. It brings the entire Gibbs’ Cycle full circle, linking the initial Description to the final intellectual shift. State clearly what you would do differently and what you learned about yourself or your professional role. Avoid introducing new information or analysis here.
The conclusion should directly flow into the final stage, ensuring the critical reflection leads to tangible change ScienceDirect, 2025.
Stage 6: Action Plan (What Will I Do Next?)
The Action Plan is the forward-looking component, transforming learning into Actionable Reflection. It answers: If this happens again, what concrete steps will I take? This must be measurable and realistic (e.g., “I will complete the BLS re-certification course within two months,” or “I will review the hospital’s non-verbal communication policy by Friday”). This documentation proves the value of the reflective journal as a tool for professional development.
This systematic approach ensures accountability and adherence to continuous improvement models in professional practice ScienceDirect, 2024.
Actionable Reflection and Professional Development
Actionable Reflection is the tangible outcome of the reflective journal. It distinguishes academic writing from professional growth. The Action Plan should detail specific resources needed (e.g., textbooks, supervisor consultation, training courses) to fill the gaps identified in the Analysis stage. This demonstrates a commitment to lifelong learning, a key requirement in clinical and teaching professions.
Critical Reflection vs. Description
Critical Reflection involves deep theoretical engagement, challenging assumptions, and seeking external causes for events. Simple Description merely recounts the facts of the incident. The six stages of Gibbs’ Cycle are designed specifically to push the writer past description and into the Analysis and Conclusion phases, ensuring a robust reflective practice.
The Role of Theory in the Analysis Stage
The Analysis stage is where you bridge practice and theory. If you reflected on a breakdown in team communication, the Analysis must cite academic models of interprofessional communication or group dynamics to explain *why* the breakdown occurred. This incorporation of external knowledge is the true measure of critical reflection and strengthens the academic validity of the reflective journal.
Reflective Practice in Clinical Settings
Reflective practice is essential in clinical environments (like hospitals or schools) for identifying systematic safety flaws and improving patient/client outcomes. Using Gibbs’ Cycle ensures that reflections on adverse events lead not just to personal change but to system-level change through documented learning. The reflective journal acts as a documented history of professional competence.
Borton’s Reflective Model Comparison
While Gibbs’ Cycle is exhaustive, other models exist. Borton’s Reflective Model is simpler, using three steps: What? So What? Now What? (Description, Analysis, Action Plan). While faster, it lacks the detailed Evaluation and Conclusion stages of the six stages of Gibbs’ Cycle, potentially limiting the depth of critical reflection for complex incidents.
For further guidance on integrating theory into reflective assignments, consult resources on reflective models in professional practice NCBI Bookshelf, 2023.
Meet the Academic Experts in Reflective Practice
When you hire a research paper writer for your reflective journal, you are matched with an expert who can ensure your Analysis achieves genuine critical reflection.
Success in Reflection: Client Testimonials
Hear from students who achieved genuine critical reflection in their journals.
SiteJabber: 4.9/5
Trustpilot: 3.8/5
“The Analysis section was perfect. They helped me link my clinical incident (Description) to three relevant communication theories. A true critical reflection.”
– M. Johnson, Nursing Student
“I finally understood the six stages of Gibbs’ Cycle. The Action Plan was concrete and easily defensible in my final presentation.”
– A. Chen, Education Major
“My supervisor said the reflective journal demonstrated high-level reflective practice. It made the whole assignment manageable.”
– S. Patel, Social Work
FAQs: Gibbs’ Cycle and Reflective Practice
Q: Why is the Analysis stage of Gibbs’ Cycle considered the most critical?
A: The Analysis stage moves the journal beyond simple storytelling. It is where you link the incident and your actions (Description and Evaluation) to external academic literature or professional frameworks. This application of theory is essential for achieving critical reflection and demonstrating **reflective learning**.
Q: What is the difference between the Evaluation and Analysis stages?
A: Evaluation is subjective assessment (I thought it went well because…). Analysis is objective sense-making (The event occurred because Policy X conflicts with Principle Y). The Analysis must be justified by outside sources, whereas the Evaluation is based purely on Feelings and internal judgment.
Q: What is Actionable Reflection?
A: Actionable Reflection is the goal of the final stage (Action Plan) of Gibbs’ Cycle. It requires developing concrete, measurable steps that ensure the learning from the critical reflection is applied to future practice, thereby improving professional competence.
Q: How should I integrate external sources (theory) into the reflective journal?
A: Sources must be integrated primarily in the Analysis stage. Use them to justify observations or explain behaviors. For example: “The tension observed in the team (Description) can be explained by Tuckman’s model of group development (source X), suggesting the group was stuck in the ‘storming’ phase.” This validates your critical reflection academically.
Elevate Your Professional Reflective Practice Today
The difference between a simple recount and a high-scoring reflective journal lies in the Analysis. Secure expert help to master the six stages of Gibbs’ Cycle and achieve genuine critical reflection.
