Internal Assessment
REQUIREMENTS OF THE SCHOOL-BASED ASSESSMENT
The School-Based Assessment component of the CAPE Sociology syllabus is a research project testing
the concepts and skills related to the discipline of Sociology. Each student will conduct research and
submit a report. Teachers will mark this report according to the School-Based Assessment guidelines
and criteria set out in the syllabus.
The School-Based Assessment component of the examination contributes 20 percent of the total
mark for the Unit.
The Research Project
Unit 1
Students are required to conduct a research project and submit a report between 1300 and 1500
words on an issue related to any social group or organization in the community. Students may choose
to investigate any issue related to the following:
1. family;
2. church or other religious groups;
3. schools, colleges;
4. political groups;
5. non-governmental organizations;
6. youth groups;
7. sports clubs.
CAPE Syllabus (2014).
Unit 2
Candidates are required to conduct a research project and submit a report between 1300-1500 words
on any issue affecting development in his or her community. Candidates may choose from among
the following:
1. population;
2. crime;
3. deviance;
4. poverty;
5. health;
6. environment.
Skills to be assessed: Unit 1 and Unit 2
Students will be assessed on their ability to:
1. clearly define a problem and research objectives;
2. conduct a comprehensive literature review;
3. develop a relevant research design based on the sociological perspective to be used;
4. conduct research using appropriate methods;
5. present clear, accurate data in a variety of forms;
6. apply appropriate techniques to analyse data;
7. discuss findings and draw reasoned conclusions;
8. produce a well-written report;
9. present the report in an appropriate format.
Managing the research project
The research project is worth 20 percent of the student’s total mark. Teachers should ensure that
sufficient time is allowed for teaching the research skills contained in the syllabus, explaining the
requirements of the School-Based Assessment, discussing the assessment criteria and monitoring and
evaluating the project work.
Planning
It is important to start planning for the research project early. A schedule for completing sections
of the report should be constructed by teachers and students working cooperatively together.
Dates for the following activities should be set:
1. submission of research title;
2. description of the research project;
3. completion of information collection;
4. submission of the first draft;
5. completion of a research project
CAPE Syllabus (2014).
General Guidelines for the Internal Assessment
This section will provide students with a general guideline for the structure of their Internal Assessment. We have simply explained in a bit more detail about how the marks are awarded and provided suggestions for how students should go about putting the IA together. Please note that students are not to use our guidelines as a substitute for Teacher guidance and counsel. We have simply provided a guide for students, which would help to make the research and compilation process a bit more manageable.
Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
Section 1
This section is divided into three parts
Section 1 (5marks)
Background
Gives a general introduction of the research topic, historical references, if any, other impacting factors which may be social, economic, environmental, or political.
Definition of Research Problem
1. This includes a statement of Problem. This is a statement, not a question. It is a statement about the issue the research paper/project is based upon. e.g., This paper seeks to examine: The socio-economic factors that contribute to the prevalence of female-headed households in the village of G, located on the South Western Coast of Grenada.
2. Aims and Objectives of study (5 marks) This research paper attempts to determine the following:
- The social and economic factors, which contribute to the formation of female-headed households in G Village.
- The socio-economic consequences of the prevalence of such households for the community of G in particular and the Parish of St. George in general.
- Recommendations for policy-makers and other social service groups to help alleviate the problems caused by the existence of such households.
3. Literature Review (8 marks) - Students should read at least six (6) sources on the issue they are conducting research. This includes books, magazines, newspaper clippings, electronic sources, etc…. Avoid having only electronic sources, in as far as it is possible to use books. - The literature review should be no more than four-six paragraphs.
A literature review is a brief overview of the available literature (print and electronic, etc.) on the issue being researched. It also gives the reader an idea of the focus of the particular literature.
The Format of the Literature Review:
1. An Introduction
Here you are expected to:
a) define your topic and provide an appropriate context for reviewing the literature;
b) establish your reasons – i.e. point, of view – for reviewing the literature;
c) explain the organization – i.e. sequence – of the review;
d) state the scope of the review – i.e. what is included and what isn’t included. For example, if you were reviewing the literature on obesity in children you might say something like: There are a large number of studies of obesity trends in the general population. However, since the focus of this research is on obesity in children, these will not be reviewed in detail and will only be referred to as appropriate ( Royal Literary Fund, 2020).
2. A Body
a) organize the literature according to common themes;
b) provide insight into the relationship between your chosen topic and the wider subject area e.g. between the prevalence of female-headed households; and the ‘masculinization of women’
c) move from a general, wider view of the literature being reviewed to the specific focus of your research.
3. A Conclusion
a) summarise the important aspects of the existing body of literature;
b) evaluate the current state of the literature reviewed;
c) identify significant flaws or gaps in existing knowledge;
d) outline areas for future study;
e) link your research to existing knowledge.
E.g. Ann Marsche in The Demasculinization of Men (1998) suggests that one of the major reasons for the growth and prevalence of female-headed households due to the ‘masculinization of women’ – women overtaking male responsibility, which parallels the marginalization of the male, forcing them to the’ sidelines’. “The ultimate response of the male: he reverts to ‘pimping, playing and partying’, while the female endures duress!” - Further, the literature review also highlights the areas where much research may not have been done. - Finally, ensure that YOU state where your research would fit in in the wider scheme of things. E.g. this research project would add to the existing literature since no empirical research has been conducted in G on the issue of female-headed households. In so doing the researcher hopes to provoke policy-makers and social service providers to become pro-active at the community level in matters relating to family life which in turn affects the community and national development. At the end of SECTION I the student will be marked on his/her communication (use of language – proper sentence construction and spelling) in a logical (good ordering of thoughts) way using correct grammar. ( 1 mark)
Section 2
1. The research design/plan (4 marks)
In this section, the student is required to explain how they put their ‘research tools’ together. This may include a brief outline of the research methods used, timelines, etc...
- In order to collect empirical data (statistics), printed questionnaires were used as a primary source. The questionnaire as a tool for collecting data has a number of advantages suited to the title of this research paper, these include the following:
a. It was useful for collecting large amounts of data in a short period of time.
b. Guaranteed confidentiality for the respondents
c. It was convenient for both the researcher and respondents alike – since respondents were able to respond to the questionnaire at their own convenience, without the monitoring of the researcher.
- A table showing the timeline – date and times of tasks performed can also be included (this is optional). However, it may be useful to show how the research was conducted for more qualitative type/based research papers.
2. Sociological Perspective (3 marks)
In this section, candidates are to accurately and succinctly use relevant sociological perspectives to highlight what Sociologists say about the research topic under discussion.
Candidates are expected to demonstrate that they have the ability to satisfactorily dissect (use, weigh, assess and evaluate), relevant sociological perspectives to discuss the positive and or negative impact/occurrences, etc.. of the social phenomenon that is being researched.
3. The Sample/Selection of Subjects to be Studied (3marks)
The research sample consisted of fifty (50) female-headed households in G village St. Georges. G village consists of ten (10) streets, five (5) female-headed households from each street were randomly selected, and questionnaires administered to them. The age group of this sample population ranged from 18 – 60 years.
3. The Data Collection: Instrument and Techniques (3 marks)
Attach all data collection instruments and copy of cover letters dispatched with the data collection instrument to instruct the respondents on how to answer the questions as well as the reason for the conducting of the research paper. E.g. Copy of Questionnaire and Cover Letter.
Section 3
Presentation of Data
1. Presentation of findings (5 marks)
Present data in different formats e.g. pie, bar charts, etc…
2. Analysis of findings (8 marks)
3. Communication of information (2 marks)
Section 4
Explain what your data shows
1. Discussion of Findings and Conclusions (7 marks)
This refers to the trends, peculiarities (specific occurrences), recent phenomenon, etc… as it relates to the area of research and the general applications that can be made in terms of the society, community, etc. Also make recommendations as it relates to the trends, peculiarities etc….
At the end of SECTION III, the student will be marked on his/her communication (use of language – proper sentence construction and spelling) in a logical (good ordering of thoughts) way using correct grammar. (3 marks)
2. Bibliography
Bibliography (3marks)
There are different styles for writing a bibliography.
Since Sociology is a Social Science, the Bibliography should use a style commensurate with the Social Science standard.
Traditionally this has been the APA (American Psychological Association) style.
Format Example for Bibliographic Citation:
General Rule: Authors' names are inverted (last name first); give the last name and initials for all authors of a particular work unless the work has more than six authors. IN THE CASE WHERE THERE ARE MORE THAN SIX AUTHORS USE et.al. after the sixth author.
A. Books
Author, A. A. (Year of publication). Title of work: Capital letter also for subtitle. Location: Publisher.
Example: Underwood, Fane. 2004. Maleness and Masculinity in a Genderized World, Kingston: Jamaica, Ian Randle Publishers
B. Electronic sources
Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Date of publication). Title of the article. Title of Online Source, volume number(issue number if available). Retrieved month day, year, from http://www.someaddress.com/full/url/
Example: Neyhart, D, & Karper, E. et.al. (February 17th, 2009). APA Formatting and Style Guide. Owl Materials. Retrieved April 12th, 2009, from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/09/
C. Non-Print Sources
(R. Sankar, personal communication, April 4, 2009)
D. Other Sources
Liszosky, F.T. (2000). Sociology. The World Book Encyclopedia (Vol. 14, pp. 321-322). New York: World Book Inc.
E. Government Sources
Central Statistical Office. (2003). Household Income Averages (CSO No. 0025). Port of Spain: Trinidad. Government Printing Office.
For more detailed information on citation styles please refer to a Citation manual.
3. Communication of Information (2 marks)
References:
Royal Literary Fund. (n.d.). The structure of a literature review. Retrieved May 12, 2020, from https://www.rlf.org.uk/resources/the-structure-of-a-literature-review/