Home Economics Investigation

Choosing the Area of Study Food Preparation and Technology Hospitality Services Child Development The Elderly It is very important to choose an area that interests you!

After choosing the area of study, you need to choose a focused title.

Food Preparation and Technology How popular is the consumption of fast food among the Maltese nation? Maltese honey - world’s best? Making of olive oil: Is Malta seeing a revival in olive oil production? How is milk locally produced and processed? Tomatoes – What is the technology behind the production of tomatoes? How do conventionally farmed tomatoes differ from organically grown ones? Hydroponics – the future of farming? Maltese bread production – a dwindling tradition?

Hospitality Services To what extent are local 5 star hotels environmentally friendly? How can the services offered by a five star hotel be helpful for its clients? What measures can restaurants take to encourage clients to eat more healthy foods? Which criteria have to be met for a hotel to be given the EU ecolabel?

Child Development How is play useful in the physical and social development of a three year old child? What factors should a pregnant woman keep in mind when planning her diet? A Case Study: Which physical changes can be observed in a toddler over a year? How is play beneficial for the development of a toddler? What roles do midwives have throughout pregnancy and birth? In what ways do child care centres help in the development of a toddler? Choosing a child care centre: What points should parents consider?

The Elderly What measures are taken in residential care homes to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the seniors? What differences can be observed between government residential care homes and private ones? Which tools and gadgets can be used to ensure the wellbeing, safety and independence of elderly people? What services does the Maltese government offer to elderly people who want to live an independent life?

Choosing 2 investigative techniques Choose 2 techniques that will help you gain more knowledge for your investigation title.

Choosing 2 techniques Questionnaire Interview Case Study A visit Original production (creating something original; e.g. an innovative meal, a toy, a gadget, recipe development, a garment/ textile item) A presentation / video An experiment (example experimenting with a recipe: doing one with conventionally farmed tomatoes and another with organic tomatoes)

Chapter 1: Brief Analysis Introducing your topic and saying what you shall be doing in your investigation

How to do the Brief Analysis Research some general information about your topic to introduce it. Say what do you plan to do throughout your investigation carry out background research about the topic by using different resources such as internet, books, leaflets and teachers’ notes. Mention the two investigative techniques that you shall be carrying out. And say in what ways will these techniques help you throughout your investigation.

Example of a Brief Analysis Write about 200-300 words

Chapter 1: Aims for Investigation Writing down AT LEAST 4 aims which you would like to reach through this investigation.

Aims for Investigation First say what inspired you to choose this topic. Then, do some research about your topic so as to identify the different areas which you would like to investigate in your investigation. All the aims have to be related and focused to your investigation title. Use different verbs to write down the aims (refer to page 12 of the guidelines). Say how you will reach the aims e.g. Through this investigation I want to: a. Find out the difference between organic farming and conventional farming methods. I will reach this aim by carrying out background research and a visit to an organic farm.

Example of Aims for Investigation Write at least 4 aims

Chapter 2: Web Diagram 1 Brainstorming on all the different points related to your investigation title.

Example of Web Diagram 1

Chapter 2: Web Diagram 2 A focused web diagram.

Web Diagram 2 In this web diagram, there are 8 aspects which you need to relate to your investigation title. These aspects are: Technology, Value, Efficiency, Aesthetic Awareness, Human Development, Health, Safety, Interaction with the environment.

Web Diagram 2 Technology – think of any technological tools or ways in which technology has to do with your title. Value – think of the value or importance that your topic under study has in our life. E.g. if your topic is about olives you may write about its nutritional value. If your topic is about midwives you can talk about the value of midwives during the birth of a baby. Efficiency – think how efficiency can be related to your topic e.g. The efficiency of having trained midwives; The efficiency of play in a child’s development; The efficiency of machines required in the olive oil industry. Aesthetic Awareness – how does aesthetics / appearance relate to your title? E.g. The bottling of olive oil; The appearance of child care centres

Web Diagram 2 Human development – how does your topic relate to the way how human develop? E.g. The role of play as part of the physical and social development; The Stages of Pregnancy. Health – E.g. The health benefits of honey; The importance of exercise as part of an elderly’s lifestyle. Safety – E.g. chopping or pureeing food during weaning; Safety aspect of a toy. Interaction with the environment – Choosing organic produce and its influence on the ecosystem; Communication in a residential home; How playgrounds encourage socialisation among children.

Example of Web Diagram 2

Example of Web Diagram 2

Chapter 2: Analysis of Web Diagram 2 Now you need to write a paragraph to elaborate on each of the 8 aspects

Analysis of Web Diagram 2 Remember to write about all 8 aspects.

Chapter 2: Plan of Action This is a flow chart to outline all the chapters and steps which you shall be covering in the investigation. Include the time frames and all the resources which you will use.

Plan of Action: Refer to page 15 In your plan of action, you need to include the following: Choice of topic (Say which topic you chose). To be carried out by March, 2016. Write a descriptive Brief Analysis. To be carried out by March, 2016. List the Aims for Investigation. To be carried out by March, 2016. Brainstorm ideas for Web Diagram 1 and Web Diagram 2. To be carried out by April, 2016. Write the Analysis of Web Diagram 2. To be carried out by April. 2016. Design and organise the Plan of Action. To be carried out by April, 2016.

Plan of Action: Refer to page 15 In your plan of action, you need to include the following: Find information and write the Background Research. To be carried out by May, 2016. List the Aims for Technique 1: Interview. Carry out the technique and complete the Analysis and Conclusion. To be carried out by October, 2016. List the Aims for Technique 2: Visit. Carry out the technique and complete the Analysis and Conclusion. To be carried out by November, 2016

Plan of Action: Refer to page 15 In your plan of action, you need to include the following: Carry out the General Conclusion and Conduct an Evaluation. To be carried out by December, 2016. Write the Acknowledgements and Bibliography. To be carried out by January, 2017. Finalise the investigation work and hand in the final version. To be carries out by February, 2017.

Example of Plan of Action For each, you also need to write ALL the resources needed, including; laptop, paper, ink, internet, books, teacher’s notes, leaflets, camera…

Chapter 3: Background Research

Write about 2000 – 3000 words Background Research You need to start looking up information about your topic, using the internet, books, notes, leaflets etc. DO NOT copy and paste the information because you will get a 0. Also include pictures throughout. It is important to write subtitles for the different areas which you are researching about.

Background Research It is important to take note of the websites you use and the date when you used them. These will be needed when writing the Bibliography. At the end of the background research, write the Conclusion. Make sure to write down the main conclusions that came out from the research.