Skills Challenge Certificate

Individual Project

Name: _________________________________

Skills Teacher: ___________________________

Starting your Individual Project

The purpose of the individual project is to develop your essential and employability skills through a research activity in an area of personal interest or one that reflects your future career or educational aspirations.

You will develop your skills in digital literacy, planning and organisation, critical thinking and problem solving. You will also be applying the skills of literacy, numeracy, personal effectiveness, creativity and innovation in the research and production of the project.

The word count for the project is 1000 – 2000 words plus maps, images, tables, figures and bibliography. The word count must be included on the front cover of the finished project.

Presentation of the project – this can be in a written paper or as a product or artefact. The product or artefact must include a 1000 word report.

All written work must be word processed in the same font on a size 12 throughout the project.

Do not choose a topic if there is not enough secondary information.

There are 8 learning objectives and the project is assessed according to these.

The project needs to be structured in the following way:

Front cover – candidate name and number, centre name and number, title of the project, word count.

Contents page -complete this at the end of the project. Introduction – including aims and objective. Method of obtaining primary and secondary data. Presentation and analysis of primary and secondary data. Conclusion – making sure that the aims and objectives have been met. Self-evaluation – your strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement. Bibliography – not included in the word count. Appendix

Introduction LO1

This sets the scene.

The word count for this is around 200 words.

Topic – there should be a personal explanation as to why you have selected this topic. It may be a personal interest, hobby, previous learning, further education or future career. It should be very clear why you have chosen this topic. How is your investigation relevant to todays’ society?

Title – The title should have a clear intent being manageable and focused. It can also be creative. The title could be a question for example ‘Are premiership footballers paid too much?’ or a hypothesis, ‘Premiership footballers are paid too much money.’ A good title makes a good project.

Context – this is an overview paragraph of the topic and should include background information.

Aims and objectives – this is a really important part of the investigation. You should have 3 aims each with 2 or 3 objectives that will help you to meet your aims. Each aim should have an action verb and subject content. If your aims and objectives are well written then the rest of the project is much more straightforward.

An aim – this is what you hope to achieve, your target. They should help you to answer the question or hypothesis that you asked in the title. The aims must be relevant to the title.

An objective – this is the action or information needed to achieve the aim. They should be practical, measurable and achievable. A poor example of an objective would be ‘to complete a questionnaire’. A good example of a questionnaire would be ‘to gather public opinion’.

Action verbs to use with your aims and objectives:

Knowledge

To analyse To calculate To classify To compare To contrastTo define To describe To differentiate To discover To explainTo explore To identify To interpret To outline To planTo record To review To select To solve To state

To evaluate

Skills

To assemble To build To chart To collect To constructTo design To devise To draw To establish To generateTo illustrate To locate To maintain To make To produce

To set up To use To organise

Attitudes

To assess To choose To develop To evaluate To formulateTo judge To justify To manage To model To recommend

To select To specify

LO1

Learning outcomeLO1Understand how to identify the focus and scope of an individual project

Performance bandBand 1

1 - 3Band 2

4 - 6Band 3

7 - 9Band 410 -12

Limited introduction to research subject including basic aims and / or objectives

Basic introduction to research subject

including relevant aims and objectives

Detailed introduction to

research subject including

appropriate aims and objectives

Detailed and effective

introduction to research subject

including appropriate and

realistic aims and objectives.

Method LO2 / LO3

This is how you collect information for your project.

Describe what methods are to be used to collect all the information and numerical data required for each objective.

You MUST look at the credibility of your sources. Use a RURU table.

Use descriptive writing throughout you method chapter.

The word count is around 300 words for this section.

Primary research methods:

These methods will provide you with primary information i.e. information that you could not get anywhere else. The information is unique. Example include:

Questionnaires / surveys – objective information, opinions, questions must be relevant to your aims. You must have sample a minimum of 20 people.

Interviews Photographs Sketches

Include the following information when describing your primary method:

Participants – Who will be included in the research – gender, age groups, etc. What sampling strategies have your selected? Open or closed questions?

Data collection – How will information be collected – survey, interview, observation, photos. Data analysis and discussion – briefly say what you will do with the information and

numerical data that you will get.

Examples of your interview transcripts and responses, questionnaires, etc will go in the appendix.

Secondary research methods:

These methods will provide you with secondary information i.e. somebody else has collected the information and you are using it. You MUST acknowledge that you are using the information by referencing its source. Examples include:

Exact website addresses (never say ‘internet’) Books from the library Newspapers with the name of the paper, date and author of the article TV programmes

LO2 and LO3

Learning outcomeLO2Be able to select and plan research methods, resources and materials.

Performance bandBand 1

1 - 3Band 2

4 - 6Band 3

7 - 9Band 410 -12

Limited rationale including plans to achieve aims and objectives. Basic

research methods, resources and

material selected.

Basic rationale including plans to achieve aims and

objectives. Relevant research methods,

resources and materials selected.

Detailed rationale including plans to achieve aims and

objectives. Appropriate

research methods, resources and

materials selected.

Detailed and effective rationale,

describing the planning decisions to

be made when addressing aims and

objectives. Appropriate and

effective research methods, resources

and materials selected.

Learning outcomeLO3Be able to select, collate, reference and assess the credibility of information and numerical data.

Band 11 - 3

Band 24 - 6

Band 37 - 9

Band 410 -12

Limited secondary and primary

information and numerical data

selected, collated and referenced.

Limited consideration of the credibility of sources

used including currency, reliability

and validity.

Basic secondary and primary information and numerical data selected, collated and referenced.

Basic consideration of the credibility of

sources used including currency,

reliability and validity.

Appropriate secondary and

primary information and numerical data selected, collated and referenced.

Detailed consideration of the credibility of sources

used including currency, reliability

and validity.

A range of appropriate

secondary and primary information and numerical data selected, collated and referenced.

Detailed and effective

consideration of the credibility of sources

used including currency, reliability

and validity.

Results LO4, LO5 and LO6

This is the presentation of relevant information that you have analysed.

The word count for this is 1000 words approximately.

Introductory paragraph

A summary of what you will be presenting in a short paragraph. This can be written at the end of this section when you have a better idea of what you have done but YOU NEED TO REMEMBER TO DO IT.

Setting out your results

Refer back to your objectives in the introduction. Type each of them onto a separate word page. You then need to combine your primary research and your secondary information to answer these objectives.

Remember you must make sure that the data and information is actually relevant to your objectives.

Referencing of Results

You MUST reference any secondary information that you use otherwise you are cheating. You MUST NOT copy anything word for word but you may quote using “” and then include the web address.

Presenting and Analysing Data

Every set of results should have an analysis, which is a detailed description of what the graphs / maps / diagram is showing. Include what you think of the findings.

Analysing tables of results with numbers in them will reveal patterns, trends or relationships. Once you have collected you primary data (from a questionnaire) you should do some of the following:

Collate the data using a tally chart Display the data using a range of tables, charts, diagrams, graphs. (Pie charts need to include

more than 2 segments) Compare frequency or percentages of people / behaviour / events. Look for patterns that show increases or decreases over time. Calculate an average of a series of measurements or observations (the mean, median,

mode).

Calculate the spread of data (the range or standard deviation / inter quartile range). Then see if there is a link between the data – use a scatter diagram so you can talk about a line of best fit / positive correlation / negative correlation.

Checklist for diagrams, graphs, maps, etc:

Title Units and labels for graphs Key for maps Analysis ICT must be used

Presentation and Analysis of Results

You need to show how effective and focused research methods have been applied and used when you are analysing your secondary information.

Link what you have learnt to your objectives.

Talk about RURU here (reliable, useful, relevant, up-to-date)

Aim to summarise all relevant information that has been collected; recognise similar and different viewpoints.

Include your own point of view.

Skills audit

Carry out a skills audit on your presentation skills.

LO4, LO5 and LO6

Learning outcomeLO4Be able to analyse the numerical data collected and display using digital techniques.

Performance bandBand 1

1 - 3Band 2

4 - 6Band 3

7 - 9Band 410 -12

Limited analysis of the numerical data collected. Limited

use of digital techniques to

display numerical data.

Basic analysis of the numerical data

collected. Basic use of digital techniques to display numerical

data.

Detailed analysis of the numerical data

collected. Appropriate use of

digital techniques to display numerical

data.

Detailed and effective analysis of the numerical data

collected. Appropriate and effective use of

digital techniques to display numerical

data.Learning outcome

LO5Be able to synthesise, analyse

Band 11 - 3

Band 24 - 6

Band 37 - 9

Band 410 -12

Limited knowledge and understanding

Basic knowledge and understanding of the

Detailed knowledge and understanding

Detailed and effective knowledge

and use information and points of view.

of the subject. Limited synthesis, analysis and use of

information and viewpoints.

subject. Basic synthesis, analysis

and use of information and

viewpoints.

of the subject. Detailed synthesis, analysis and use of

information and viewpoints.

and understanding of the subject. Detailed and

effective synthesis, analysis and use of

information and viewpoints.

Learning outcomeLO6Be able to produce and present an outcome.

Band 11 - 3

Band 24 - 6

Band 37 - 9

Band 410 -12

Limited use of basic skills and

techniques. Limited success in producing

and presenting a final outcome to address project

aims.

Basic use of relevant skills and

techniques. Most successful in

producing and presenting a final

outcome that addresses project

aims.

Effective use of appropriate skills and techniques.

Successfully produces and

presents a final outcome that

addresses project aims.

Efficient and effective use of

range of appropriate skills and

techniques. Successfully and

effectively produces and presents a final outcome that meets

project aims.

Outcome of your Investigation LO7

This is your conclusion. You are making a judgement based on your original question / hypothesis and your findings.

The word count for this will be approximately 250 words.

You will need to go through each of your objective and summaries your key findings from analysis your primary and secondary research. For each objective consider the following:

Use of the evidence or data that you have collected and link it to your objectives. Refer to your data, graphs and other evidence.

Was the objective met? Did you achieve or fail to meet your objectives?

Use the answers to your objectives to respond to your aims.

You will now be in a position where you are able to use your aims to answer the project title. You need to answer the question to prove or disprove your hypothesis.

Example:

Title: Why have the Welsh football team performed better than the English team in the Euro 2016?

Objective 1: To discover what training schedules the teams had and what differences there might be between them.Conclusion to objective 1: The Welsh training schedule was better because of the increased cardio vascular exercises they did…

Objective 2: To compare how much money the teams are given and see if this affects how well they play.Conclusion to objective 2: Wales had 20% less funding that England so I can conclude that funding did not have an impact on the team’s performance.

LO7

Learning outcomeLO7Be able to make judgements and draw conclusions.

Performance bandBand 1

1 - 3Band 2

4 - 6Band 3

7 - 9Band 410 -12

Limited judgements made. Limited

conclusions on the outcome in

addressing the focus and scope of the

individual project.

Basic judgements made. Basic

conclusions on the outcome in

addressing the focus and scope of the

individual project.

Detailed judgements made. Detailed

conclusions on the outcome in

addressing the focus and scope of the

individual project.

Detailed and well-reasoned

judgements made. Detailed and well-

reasoned conclusions on the

outcome in addressing the focus

and scope of the individual project.

Self Evaluation LO8

You are reflecting on your own strengths and weaknesses.

The words count for this will be approximately 250 words.

Introductory paragraph:

You are evaluating your own performance in terms of planning, carrying out and finding an outcome to your question.

Skills audit:

Carry out a skill audit on your essential and employability skills:

research skills, digital presentation skills, communication, numeracy, creativity and innovation personal effectiveness.

Write about how they have been used in your project.

Swot analysis:

Carry out a swot analysis on the following skills:

digital literacy planning and organisation critical thinking and problem solving

Digital literacy is the ability to find, evaluate, use, share and create using ICT and the internet. In your swot analysis write about:

using ICT to present tables, graphs and diagrams. Assessing the credibility of information and sources. Saving and storing your digital information. How could you improve your digital literacy (ICT skills) next time?

Planning is a process that helps you to focus your ideas and decide on the steps you need to take in order to achieve a particular goal. Organisation will allow you to do this. In your swot analysis write about:

Development of your aims and objectives Identification, selection and gathering of information and numerical data from a variety of

sources. How could your planning and organisation be improved on next time?

Critical thinking is analysis findings and evaluating an issue to make a judgement. In your swot analysis write about:

How you used and analysed facts, opinions, viewpoints and arguments. How you identified information, resources and materials that helped your project. How you formed judgements, summarised findings and presented these findings. How could your critical thinking and problem solving skills be improved on next time?

LO8

Learning outcomeLO8Be able to reflect on strengths and weaknesses of own performance.

Performance bandBand 1

1 - 3Band 2

4 - 6Band 3

7 - 9Band 410 -12

Limited strengths and weaknesses of own performance

identified, including planning, problem

solving and completion process.

Basic strengths and weaknesses of own

performance identified, including planning, problem

solving and completion process.

Detailed strengths and weaknesses of own performance

identified, including planning, problem

solving and completion process.

Detailed and well-reasoned strengths and weaknesses of own performance

identified, including planning, problem

solving and completion process.

Bibliography and Appendix LO3

The bibliography is a list of sources that you have references in the project. The appendix includes information that supports the main body of the project.

Bibliography:

All sources must be referenced otherwise it is copying and you could get 0. For each source include a brief description of the content and an evaluation on the

credibility of the source including comments on the quality of it and the usefulness.

The appendix will need to include:

A clean questionnaire. The recording sheet from the questionnaires (a tally of the responses to the questionnaire). A transcript of any interview. Any calculations carried out Any other planning sheets.

LO3

Learning outcomeLO3Be able to select, collate, reference and assess the credibility of information and numerical data.

Performance bandBand 1

1 - 3Band 2

4 - 6Band 3

7 - 9Band 410 -12

Limited secondary and primary

information and numerical data

selected, collated and referenced.

Limited consideration of the

credibility of the sources used

including currency, reliability and

validity.

Basic secondary and primary information and numerical data selected, collated and referenced.

Basic consideration of the credibility of the sources used

including currency, reliability and

validity.

Appropriate secondary and

primary information and numerical data selected, collated and referenced.

Detailed consideration of the

credibility of the sources used

including currency, reliability and

validity.

A range of appropriate

secondary and primary information and numerical data selected, collated and referenced.

Detailed and effective

consideration of the credibility of the

sources used including currency,

reliability and validity.