SOCIAL STUDIES SBA REQUIREMENTS
TASK 1: Statement of Problem (2 Marks)
1. State the problem in the form of a question. The topic should have only one variable.
EG: What are the causes of young people to use illegal drugs in Sandy Point? NOT
What are the causes and effects of young people to use illegal drugs in Sandy Bay?
2. The Statement of Problem should not be able to be answered by “yes” or “no”
EG “Is there a problem with gang violence?” It should be “To what extent….”
3. Topic should be specific eg. What, who, where, effects of, of fifth form students of the BHS, among the
elderly in the McKnight community.
TASK 2: Reasons for Selecting the Topic (2 marks)
This should have 2-3 strong sentences explaining the reason why the topic was selected. This task ought to
be based on a situation that the researcher has experienced.
EG. The researcher heard the residents in her area speak about Internet Fraud. It is her hope that her
research can help people not to become victims in the future.
TASK 3: Methods of Investigation (2 marks)
1. Select an appropriate method of investigation.
Such as:
Questionnaire, Observation, Telephone Survey, Documentary Search
2. Describe the Method of Investigation.
EG. Questionnaire- 20 questions, 12 closed-ended and 8 open-ended
Telephone Survey- 15 questions
Online Survey- 10 questions
Observation- Observation Check List Sheet
3. Justification of Selected Method- At least two properly explained reasons why you selected the method.
TASK 4: Data Collection Instrument (4 marks)
The Data Collection Instrument MUST relate to the Statement of Problem . IF a questionnaire is being
used, the questionnaire must start with 3-4 biographical questions. These questions can relate to:
gender, age, form, occupation, residence, education level etc. The biographical questions should relate
to the questions in the questionnaire.
Include questions that refer to causes, effects, solutions in relation to your topic.
When constructing the questions, ask yourself the who, when, why, how, where etc in relation to your
topic
The questionnaire should have 15-20 questions of three different types of responses:
A. Close-ended questions must also have the option, “Other”
B. Rating Scale
C. Likert Scale
D. “yes” or “no”
E. Open-ended questions. Respondent has to write their responses.
If using a questionnaire, a letter must be at the top of the questionnaire:
Dear Respondent,
The researcher is conducting this survey as an assignment for the CSES Social Studies SBA that I am
presently pursuing. You will not be required to write your name so you can feel comfortable in answering
all the questions honestly. The information collected will be kept confidential.
Thank you for your kind co-operation.
TASK 5: Procedure for Data Collection (2 marks)
This is a brief description of how the sample was chosen/selected in the survey.
1. Indicate when, where, how the questionnaires were distributed.
2. Indicate the size of the population sample to whom the questionnaires will be distributed (20-25
people), the number of males and females, and age groups.
3. Describe the sampling method that was used
EG Simple random, Stratified random sampling then state why that method was used.
4. Indicate if there were any problems that you encountered while collecting your data.
5. Indicate how long (hours or days) was provided to complete the questionnaire.
6. Indicate the number of questionnaires that were completed and returned.
TASK 6: Presentation of Data (6 marks)
*Choose THREE questions that are most important to the research. These are what you will present in a
chart form, analyse, interpret and then draw conclusions.
1. Select three key questions, which may be a mixture of close-ended, rating- scale and likert -scale, OR
closed-ended questions ONLY.
2. Illustrate the responses from each of the selected questions using three different types of the following
graphs/tables :
Bar graph
Pie chart
Pictograph
Table
*ALL CHARTS MUST BE IN 2D SHAPE
3. The following charts are NOT ALLOWED:
Line graph
Doughnut
Cone graph
Cylinder graph
Cone graph
3D shapes
4. It is recommended that one question each should focus on the causes, effects and solutions to the
problem.
5. If a table is being used, it MUST have both the raw scores and the percentage results.
6. Each diagram MUST be neatly and properly labeled and accurately calculated.
7. The diagram MUST NOT be explained/ analysed at this stage.
TASK 7: Analysis and Interpretation of Data (8 marks)
An analysis and interpretation is given for EACH Presentation of Data in Task 6.
1. Analysis: Describe what the graphs illustrate. You may use phrases such as:
The majority of ___or ___% indicated that …..; while a smaller number of ___or ___% stated….
The smallest number of ____respondents chose….
2. Interpretation: Briefly write on what the information means to you; how do you feel about it? You may
use words/phrases like: trends, most, hardly, very few, it can be assumed, it can be inferred etc
3. Secondary sources MUST be used to support the data that the researcher collected from his study.
TASK 8: Findings (3 marks)
Make a statement based on the evidence that was presented by charts and/or table in Task 6. Percentages
should be included in each statement.
EG: In Figure 1, Seventy percent of the respondents indicated that they don’t mind wearing masks in
public places.
TASK 9: Recommendations and Implementation Strategy (3 marks)
Present TWO clearly stated recommendations on steps that are required to address the issue and describe
how ONE should be implemented.
OVERALL PRESENTATION: (4 marks)
The researcher must present at least FOUR of the following:
Cover page
Table of Contents (with page numbers)
Acknowledgement
Bibliography
Appendix
WRITING SKILLS: (4 marks)
Areas to be examined:
Grammar
Spelling
Paragraphing
Sequencing of tasks
Appropriate writing terms eg. Instead of “I” use “the researcher”
SBA SHOULD NOT EXCEED 1000 WORDS
TOTAL: 40 MARKS OR 20% OF YOUR FINAL GRADE
