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Crop Science Research Project Guide

The document provides guidance for students on conducting an advanced crop science project at Mvurwi High School. It outlines the required sections of the project including an introduction, objectives, methodology, results, analysis, conclusion and recommendations. The document provides details on what should be included in each section and the number of marks allocated for each section.

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Nqobile Singojwana
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813 views4 pages

Crop Science Research Project Guide

The document provides guidance for students on conducting an advanced crop science project at Mvurwi High School. It outlines the required sections of the project including an introduction, objectives, methodology, results, analysis, conclusion and recommendations. The document provides details on what should be included in each section and the number of marks allocated for each section.

Uploaded by

Nqobile Singojwana
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

Advanced Crop Science Project Guide @ Mvurwi High School 2018

Advanced level

CROP SCIENCE
6049/4

PROJECT GUIDE

A step by step approach

Mvurwi High School


Page 1 of 4
Advanced Crop Science Project Guide @ Mvurwi High School 2018

1. Topic/title [3 marks]
Before a researcher chooses a topic for a project, it is important to identify a broad area of
inquiry and interest. Within a broad topic of inquiry, each researcher must begin narrowing
the field into a few subtopics that are of greater specificity and detail. Hussey and Hussey
(1997 p.286) advise against phrases such as “An Approach to … “ or “A Study of…” It must
be smart,concise,focused,related to objectives,realistic and timeframed

2. Abstract [ 5 marks]
Principal objectives stated, method summarized, scope of investigation, what research is
based on, conclusion clearly spelt out recommendation and explain the implications of the
results.
- Used a maximum of 200 words
3. Preliminaries [2 marks]
The CONTENTS should list in sequence, with page numbers, all relevant subdivisions of the
project, including the title of chapters, sections and subsections, as appropriate; any
appendices; the glossary; the list of references; the bibliography (if any); the index (if
provided)

4. Introduction/background[5 marks]
Paragraph 1: General description about the crop-origin, taxonomy, use
Paragraph 2: Gradual to subject in relation to your treatments. Literature cited for example
what the literature says about fertilisers
Paragraph 3: relate the 1 and 2 to your title
Paragraph 4: create a gap to justify your research. Why you are carrying out your study
Paragraph 5: background problem. State the problem that initiated this research for example
low yield/high input costs such as fertilisers
4.2 Aims: 2 marks]
 Are broad statements of desired outcomes, or the general intentions of the research, which
'paint a picture' of your research project
 Emphasize what is to be accomplished (not how it is to be accomplished)
 Address the long-term project outcomes, i.e. they should reflect the aspirations and
expectations of the research topic.
 General statement related to the title which links to objectives
 Related to title, linked to objectives
Once aims have been established, the next task is to formulate the objectives. Generally, a
project should have no more than two or three aims statements, while it may include a
number of objectives consistent with them.

4.3 Objectives/Research questions [4 marks]


- Related to title, clearly stated, measurable, and achievable within time frame/scope of study.
- A mark for each objective and a 1 mark for ranking .State at least 3 objectives
5.1 Hypothesis [2 marks]
-Is a supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting
point for further investigation.
-Testable, linked to problem area, related to real life problem.
Ho – null hypothesis is the hypothesis that states that there is no relation between the
phenomena whose relation is under investigation, or at least not of the form given by the
alternative hypothesis. The null hypothesis (H0) is a hypothesis which the researcher tries to

Page 2 of 4
Advanced Crop Science Project Guide @ Mvurwi High School 2018

disprove, reject or nullify. Example.H0: Tomato plants do not exhibit a


higher rate of growth when planted in compost rather than soil.
5.2 Justification: [2 marks]
Reasons for carrying out the project
5.3 Limitations[ 2 marks]
- Draw backs to project finding written in past tense.
- Unforeseeable events which may have affected the project this could be time, finance or
access to relevant information. This must be stated in the research .it does not weaken the
study but rather shows the ingenuity of the work.
5.4 Delimitation [2 marks]
Geographical set up of an area under study i.e. natural regions, rainfall, temperature, soil type
5.5 Literature Review [5 marks]
One essential task when undertaking a research study is to review the existing literature on
the topic and use it to inform the construction of the new study. The literature review should
be conducted early in the research process, directly after the researcher chooses a topic. A
literature review can bring clarity and focus to the research problem and broaden one’s
knowledge base while also identifying possible “knowledge gaps,” or gaps in the literature,
that new research may be able to address. In addition, past studies can improve methodology
and help the researcher to contextualize his or her findings. The literature review is crucial
because an important responsibility in research is to add to a body of knowledge and to
compare one’s findings with others. The procedure is simple: the researcher must search the
literature in his or her area of interest, review the selected studies, and develop a theoretical
framework for his or her own study.

6.1 Materials and Methods [4marks]


- Materials related to the project.
- List of materials and quantity.
- Measurable scales.
- How much used.
- Cleary described to achieve objectives.
6.2 Experimental design [6 marks]
- Research layout, randomization and replication. Explain the design, layout, dimensions,
labels/blacks.
- Design 1
True experimental design such as a Randomized Block Design – This design is used when
there are inherent differences between subjects and possible differences in experimental
conditions. If there are a large number of experimental groups, the randomized block design
may be used to bring some homogeneity to each group. This is a simple method for reducing
the variability among treatment groups.
Treatment
In experiments, a treatment is something that researchers administer to experimental units.
For example, a corn field is divided into four, each part is 'treated' with a different fertiliser to
see which produces the most corn
Factor
A factor of an experiment is a controlled independent variable; a variable whose levels are
set by the experimenter.A factor is a general type or category of treatments. Different
treatments constitute different levels of a factor.
Control
Suppose a farmer wishes to evaluate a new fertilizer. She uses the new fertilizer on one field
of crops (A), while using her current fertilizer on another field of crops (B).

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Advanced Crop Science Project Guide @ Mvurwi High School 2018

- Randomisation 1
The assignment of study components by a completely random method, like simple random
sampling. Randomization eliminates bias from the results
- Replication 1
the experiment must be replicable by other researchers. This is usually achieved with the use
of statistics like the standard error of the sample mean or confidence intervals.
-Blocking:
controlling sources of variation in the experimental results.
- Layout of project 1
How is appears on the ground with the aid of diagrams.
- Dimensions 1
Measurements of beds (Length:width) spacing(inrow;interrow)
- Assignments 1
How each treatment was assigned
6.3 Data collection [7 marks]
- Description of instructions reproducible, objectives addressed, timing clearly stated,
appropriateness - 2 marks for each objective. - 1 mark for order/ranking.
Making use of tables and explanations
6.4 Statistics for Data Analysis[3 marks]
- How to analyse data for each objective.
- Criteria/statistics for data analysis for each objective, Appropriateness.
-a scientific explanation required
7.1 Results [15marks]
- How figures were arrived at,
- How figures were obtained, address each objective, realistic; objectives, tables/graphs
correctly titled, correct units/parameter measured; unit of measurement 5 marks for each
objective. Make use of charts such as pie charts,bar graph,line graphs
7.2 Result Analysis/Discussion[ 10 marks]
- Claims relate to literature, implication, sound of the arguments, author’s stand point,
statistics mentioned, scientific explanation to the trend given, sound argument, - Each
objective have 3 points, 1 mark for order.
8.1 Summary/Conclusion [5 marks]
- Answers to objectives, implication for further research answers the 3 objectives, reasons,
implication for further research.
8.2 Recommendations [5marks]
- Based on findings, logically presented, and based on findings to justify further research.
Give statement for further research.
9. References [5 marks]
- All cited references, in alphabetic order, starting with author, year, title, publisher, town of
publication, titles underlined/italised cited from website.
10. Quality of Presentation [6marks]
Sequential – that is preliminaries, text references, application, glossary, correct citation,
legibility, correct use of scientific terms, respect margins, paragraphing, and neatness.

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