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

B Introduction Straight to the point No life stories What makes the research interesting Is the research worth doing Think about the reader / examiner

C Investigation What resources do you have, library, lab, internet Can you find anything out about your topic? Is it a good research question?

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

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

F Application of skills Apply skills from IA and course to the problem at hand Use statistical analysis where appropriate Theoretical model expected

G Use of appropriate language A force is a force, energy is energy. Correct mathematical derivations

H Conclusion Related to results of experiment connected method to answer research question

I Formal Presentation Never admit to 4001 words Learn to use word Learn to paint

J Abstract Simply a brief summary to be done at the end even though it’s at the beginning

K Holistic Judgement Is it any good?

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.

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.