1. Researching your project

2. What is the difference between primary research and secondary research?
What is primary research?
What is secondary research?

3. Secondary research
How can you carry out secondary research i.e. where can you find information?
What are the pitfalls?

4. Secondary research continued
How can you carry out effective and valuable secondary research?
Use _______ sources and try to ______ where their data came from
Think before you use a book: use the ________, decide if you need to read it all or whether you can just use _______
Try to assess whether they are a ___________ source
Make sure you write down ________ of the sources (book, newspaper, webpage etc.) for your bibliography
check, contents, details, different, extracts, reputable

5. What is plagiarism? Oxford University define it as:
“Plagiarism is presenting someone else’s work or ideas as your own, with or without their consent, by incorporating it into your work without full acknowledgement. All published and unpublished material, whether in manuscript, printed or electronic form, is covered under this definition. Plagiarism may be intentional or reckless, or unintentional. Under the regulations for examinations, intentional or reckless plagiarism is a disciplinary offence.” Oxford University Plagiarism. [ONLINE] Available at: [Accessed 6 August 2018].
If you plagiarise then your EPQ will be disqualified

6. Secondary research: bibliography
What is a bibliography?
It’s usually placed at the end of the project.
If you don’t reference the origins of material, you could be guilty of plagiarism. What does this mean?
A standard system of citing and listing references makes it easier to trace academic and other knowledge efficiently.
YOU MUST REFERENCE EVERYTHING

7. Harvard referencing
Harvard Style Referencing is a system that was developed in the USA and grew in popularity during the 1950s and 1960s.
Over several decades it has become the most common system in use internationally and is frequently the standard house style for academic journals. You should use this referencing style in your project.
A useful took that explains how to complete Harvard style referencing can be found at:

8. Harvard referencing examples
which one of the following is a: book, journal, newspaper article ?
1. Lovell, A., Saw, R., Stimson, J., (2005) ‘Product value‐density: managing diversity through supply chain segmentation’, The International Journal of Logistics Management, Vol. 16 Iss: 1, pp
2. Newnham, D. (2003), ‘Behind the barricades’, The Guardian, 23 September 2003, P.12
3. Ross, I. (2012), Oscar Wilde and Ancient Greece, Cambridge University Press

9. Using footnotes Open a blank document in Word.
Type a sentence and add in the middle “Plagiarism is presenting someone else’s work or ideas as your own”
To insert a footnote you should go to the end of the appropriate phrase and then click “References” and “insert footnote”. This will automatically insert a footnote at the bottom of the page and this is where you would type the details of the source:
Oxford University Plagiarism. [ONLINE] Available at: [Accessed 6 August 2018].

10. Primary research How can you carry out primary research?
What are the pitfalls?
WJEC do not want “GCSE type” small scale interviews, unless they are _______
It may be _________
You may struggle to analyse the _____________
It may not tell you anything e.g. interviewing 20 people does not let you draw conclusions about _______________
biased, data, relevant, the UK population

11. Primary research continued
How can you carry out effective and valuable primary research?
Interview an __________ by or phone if appropriate. This was very successful last year, try to contact university staff.
Interview the ___________ public using an on-line survey but then _______________ your sample thoroughly (they will be self-selecting etc.)
NOTE that it may be better to ______________ on secondary research
concentrate, evaluate, expert, general

12. Word counts
If you have chosen a dissertation or field study, you are required to produce a piece of work that consists of at least ________ words.
If you have chosen an artefact, design, performance or a piece of creative writing, then you must produce Project Outcome Notes of at least _________ words to support the product you have created.
In all cases the bibliography and appendices are not included in your word count.

13. Source evaluation
You need to demonstrate that you have utilised a wide range of sources in your project.
For each of your sources, it is expected that you include some kind of source evaluation – how are you going to do this? Write down two different ways

14. How many sources? How many sources do you need?
When should you start your research?
If you have referred to a book or website or article in your forms that is a source and you should reference it now.

15. Understanding the assessment criteria
Scoring a high grade in your EPQ is about much more than presenting a good piece of work as your final outcome. It is more about a portfolio of evidence that helps prove that you have project managed, researched, realised and reflected on a piece of work.
The following sections explain the evidence you need to present to hit the key assessment criteria for the four areas of the mark scheme.

16. AO1 Manage (20) Assessment Criteria Evidence (highest mark band) LO1
Identify a topic supported by a rationale
Negotiate and design a project.
Explores various options and makes an informed decision in the selection of a topic based on solid rationale with focused and realistic aims and objectives.
Negotiates and produces a coherent and detailed design in an appropriate format.
LO2
Produce a plan and carry out a project using a range of strategies and methods to achieve objectives
Produces an effectively designed and thorough project plan, setting realistic targets, prioritising goals with detailed actions on how objectives will be achieved.
Implements project plan using sophisticated organisational skills, setting SMART targets and milestones, meeting deadlines.
Takes full responsibility and works independently in putting plan into action, managing and prioritising tasks and actions.

17. AO2 Use resources (20) Assessment Criteria
Evidence (highest mark band)
LO3
Conduct research using a range of resources
Select and apply data and/ or information relevant to the project
Conducts research selecting from a wide range of relevant resources, including complex material and consistently applying information/data to the project
All resources are acknowledged and referenced using a recognised form.
LO4
Interpret and analyse data and/or information showing understanding of links and connections within the complexities of the project
Interprets and analyses the relevant information /data to inform a cohesive outcome and conclusion
Explores and confirms the validity and bias of sources
Demonstrates ability to synthesise complex data and information.
Comprehensive understanding of links, fully explores and establishes sophisticated connections within the complexities of the chosen project

18. AO3 Develop and realise (40)
Assessment Criteria
Evidence (highest mark band)
LO5
Select and use a range of skills, including new
technologies, where appropriate, to reach critical decisions.
Critically selects and effectively applies a range of skills with precision relevant to the specific project.
Embraces new technologies, using them creatively, where appropriate.
LO4
Produce a planned outcome and realise the project in its entirety.
Produces a cohesive project completed to a high standard, demonstrating knowledge and understanding of the topic authoritatively.
Completes the entire project to a consistently high standard including a cohesive project outcome.

19. AO4 Review and communicate (20)
Assessment Criteria
Evidence (highest mark band)
LO6
Presentation of findings and conclusions by selecting and using a range of communication skills.
Makes an authoritative presentation of the findings and conclusions, showing extensive knowledge of project with detailed responses to questions.
LO8
Understand and apply the principles of evaluation and review in relation to the planned outcome and own learning and performance.
Understands the principles of evaluation by comprehensively evaluating the planned outcome against objectives.
Effectively reviews own learning and performance, throughout the project process.
Responds with maturity in a dialogue during the question and answer session.

20. Forms As you know you must complete various forms:
Project Title & Proposal (EPF1)
Project Plan (EPF2a) and Change to plan (EPF2b)
Record & review of teaching and teaching programme (EPF2c)
Record & review of individual progress (EPF2d)
Project Record and Meetings with Supervisors (EPF2e)
Project Outcome (EPF3)
Project Presentation (EPF4)
For homework you should look at the forms and work out which AO is relevant – there may be more than one.
For example EPF1 could have marks under AO1 but also AO3

21. Homework Carry out your research
Amend your plan where necessary – keep all versions (EPF2a and EPF2b).
You will gain marks for changes in LO2 “takes full responsibility and works independently in putting plan into action, managing and prioritising tasks and actions”
If you have learnt new skills you should write this in section 7 pf EPF1 (page 7) and in the “Methodology” section of the project itself
Complete homework “referencing” sheet

22. Homework continued
Over the October Half Term Mrs Wilson will check your title.
Therefore it is essential that your title has been agreed with your EPQ supervisor and it is also essential that the latest version of your forms is saved on the O drive.