3.

Project Reports

Candidates are required to select a topic for investigation and write a project report not
exceeding 1500 words, (excluding appendices and bibliography), preferably type written and
double-spaced. This report should contain the following:

(a) Title;
(b) Table of contents;
(c) Acknowledgements;
(d) Introduction;
(e) Report:

(i) Aims and objectives of your Project – (issues being explored);

(ii) Literature Review;
(iii) Data Collection;
(iv) Data Presentation and Analysis;
(v) Evaluation;
(vi) Recommendations; and,
(vii) Conclusion.

(f) Appendices (such as questionnaires, diagrams, charts, statistical data); and,

(g) Bibliography.

4. Description of terms used in the Project:

Aim and Objectives

(a) The aim of the Project refers to what the Project hopes to achieve.

(b) An objective of the Project refers to the specific research question you are seeking to
answer.

Literature Review

A literature review is an account of what has been published on a topic by researchers. Except
for seminal work, sources cited should be as current as possible.

Data Collection

The method or methods used to collect the data/information for the project (including
surveys, interviews, observations and other appropriate methods). The tools used to conduct
the data collection could include questionnaires, interview questions and observation
checklists.

Data Presentation and Analysis

Presentation of the results of the investigation using analysis tools can be presented in prose,
diagrams, and charts.

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 Evaluation

The findings of your investigation should be related to the literature review.

Recommendations

Recommendations should be logically deduced from data collected.

Conclusion

The conclusion should be based upon the findings and the purpose of the project.

The following pages outline how the Project Report for Units 1 and 2 will be assessed.

MARK SCHEME FOR SCHOOL-BASED ASSESSMENT

1. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES (6)

• Aim(s) and at least two objectives of the study clearly stated and relevant
6
to the topic chosen.

• Aim(s) and one objective of the study clearly stated and relevant to the
5
topic.

• Aim(s) and at least two objectives of the study bearing relevance to the
4
topic but not clearly stated.

• Aim(s) and one objective of the study bearing relevance to the topic but
3
not clearly stated.

• Aim(s) and two objectives of the study with limited relevance to the topic
2
and not clearly stated.

• Aim(s) and one objective of the study with limited relevance to the topic
1
and not clearly stated.

2. LITERATURE REVIEW (6)

• Thorough treatment of literature related to topic, including current and

5-6
seminal works.

• Fairly thorough treatment of literature related to topic. 3-4

• Partial treatment of literature related to the topic. 1-2

3. DATA COLLECTION (8)

• The method(s) of investigation is/are clearly stated. 1

• Justification for the selected method(s) of investigation is provided and is

directly related to the current research.
o Two appropriate and clearly articulated. 3-4
o One appropriate and clearly articulated. 1-2

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 • Limitations of the data collection method(s) are provided and are directly
related to the current research.

o Two limitations identified and at least one explained. 3

o One limitation identified and explained. 2
o One limitation identified. 1

4. DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS (11)

• Candidate correctly applies most/all principles, concepts and skills to 9-11

problems/situations and uses analysis tools to present and analyse the
most relevant issues in a very competent way.

• Candidate correctly applies some principles, concepts and skills to 6-8

problems/situations and uses analysis tools to present and analyse some
issues in a fairly competent way.

• Candidate correctly applies limited principles, concepts and skills to 3-5

problems/situations and uses analysis tools to present and analyse few
issues in a limited way.

Candidate shows little or no skill in the application of principles/concepts 1-2

to problems/situations and in presenting and analysing issues.

5. EVALUATION (12)

• Candidate uses well-defined criteria (for example accuracy, consistency, 9-12

logical order) in a very competent way to evaluate/make inferences from
data collected, providing reasons for judgements/decisions linked to the
literature review.

• Candidate uses well defined criteria in a fairly competent way to 6-8

evaluate/make inferences from data collected, providing reasons for
judgements/decisions linked to the literature review.

• Candidate uses one or two criteria in a limited way to evaluate/make 3-5

inferences from data collected, providing limited reasons for
judgements/decisions linked to the literature review.

Candidate shows limited skills in evaluating/making inferences from data 1-2

collected, providing reasons for judgements/decisions that are NOT linked
to the literature review.

6. RECOMMENDATIONS (4)

• Candidate makes recommendations, logically deduced from findings. 3-4

• Candidate makes recommendations that have limited relationship to 1-2

findings.

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 7. CONCLUSION (3)
-
• Conclusion based on findings and related to the purposes of the project. 2-3

• Conclusion related to the purpose of the project but not based on findings. 1

8. PRESENTATION OF PROJECT (10)

• Table of contents presented in an acceptable format. 1

• Candidate communicates information using correct grammar. 1-2

• Candidates use media other than text to present information (graph, 1-2
tables, charts, diagrams).

• Bibliography presented in an acceptable format. 1-2

• Candidate organises project report presenting the information logically 1-3

and coherently.

Total Marks (60)

Note: Where the marks are allocated in ranges, this is designed to provide the teachers with flexibility
in allocating marks. While it is possible to allocate marks using fractions, the total mark should be a
whole number.

 REGULATIONS FOR PRIVATE CANDIDATES

Private candidates will be required to write Papers 01, 02 (see page 37-38 for details) and Paper 032.
The Paper 032, the Alternative to the School-Based Assessment will be based on the topic for the
particular examination year which is listed on page 46-47 below.

UNITS 1 and 2

Paper 032 – 2 hours, (20 per cent of Total Assessment)

1. Composition of the Paper

This paper comprises two compulsory questions in two sections. Question 1 relates to the
ability to conduct research and Question 2 relates to the content area of investigation.

2. Syllabus Coverage

In addition to the syllabus objectives, candidates will be expected to:

(a) Formulate aims and objectives for a research project;

(b) justify the relevance of a literature review in a research project;

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