2. A Research Question
How to get a research question
Do you want to know the answer
Does it have to be new?
Difficulties
What makes a good research question
Importance of good research question
3. B Introduction
Straight to the point
No life stories
What makes the research interesting
Is the research worth doing
Think about the reader / examiner
4. C Investigation
What resources do you have, library, lab, internet
Can you find anything out about your topic?
Is it a good research question?
5. D Knowledge
Does the student understand/ is capable of
understanding the topic?
Better to write about what you know
Why write about something not in the course?
Research question
6. E Reasoned Argument
Is it readable?
What happens when you spend to long (the 1 year
essay)
Keep the research question in focus
Research question > Intro > Theory > Experiment >
Discussion > Conclusion
7. F Application of skills
Apply skills from IA and course to the problem at hand
Use statistical analysis where appropriate
Theoretical model expected
8. G Use of appropriate language
A force is a force, energy is energy.
Correct mathematical derivations
9. H Conclusion
Related to results of experiment connected method to
answer research question
13. 10 Tips for students
1. Make sure you have a good research question.
2. Don't be too ambitious.
3. Make a plan.
4. If you have no idea how you will do the practical then think of
another research question.
5. If you can't find any reference to your topic on the net or in the
library then think again.
6. limit the time you spend on the practical, after 20 hours
abandon it.
7. Its much easier to write a coherent essay if its written in one go.
8. Keep a running bibliography
9. Know what the assessment criteria say.
10. Stick to the research question throughout.
14. 10 Tips for Supervisors
1. Try to tease the topic out from the student rather than handing it to
them on a plate.
2. Help the student see their limitations.
3. Avoid any experiments that can't be done in the lab or at home.
4. If you can't think of how the student can write an essay on the topic
then advise against it.
5. If a student is going to work during the holiday be prepared to
answer queries.
6. Its ok to suggest ways of solving problems.
7. Make sure you are familiar with the assessment criteria
8. Help the student keep things in perspective, it's an essay not a thesis.
9. Remember it's the students essay not yours, don't get too personally
attached to it.
10. When the time is up take the essay from the student even if you
think they could make it better.