CARIBBEAN STUDIES

School Based Assessment

CAPE CARIBBEAN STUDIES SBA WRITING GUIDE & CHECK LIST

(Revised)

(Refer to pages 35-41 in your syllabus for structure, mark scheme and further
guidelines)

A) INTRODUCTION (5 marks)

The following seven points refer to sub-headings:

1) Background

2) The Problem Statement

3) Statement of the Problem

4) The Research Questions

5) Purpose of the Study

6) Educational Value of the Study

7) Definition of Technical Terms

Guide:

1. In the Background to the Study;

You need to include some statistics about the consequences to the area,
more relevant to this research, so as to establish the seriousness of the
situation and the validity of the research.
Describe the geographical area of the study, including the specific location
and refer to the map/s you would have generated and provided in your
Appendix.
You need to give some background into the geographical area which you
intend to look at in order to highlight that there is much at stake if the
situation is not corrected.

K. Harripaulsingh (2015) Page 1

 You need to explain your personal interest in the research.

2. Problem statement where you state your issue (as a question or a statement
implying cause & effect) E.g. the impact of crime on businesses located on
Main Road Chaguanas.: N.B. you must state a community to report on
e.g. Chaguanas, Freeport, Tunapuna,... not your country or region.

3. The statement of the problem follows the problem statement and should be
a few sentences expanding on the problem statement such as this study is
an investigation into.specifically looking at... For example, This study is
an investigation into crime specifically looking at its impact on the business
community specifically examining types of businesses impacted, their levels
of confidence and major changes in their daily operations. Further types of
criminal activities and associated causes will be indirectly examined.

4. The next item will be to give three of four sub questions known as research
questions that your study will answer. To formulate good research questions
refer to anyone of the following links:

http://airs.library.qut.edu.au/1/1/ OR

http://vanderbilt.edu/writing/manage/wp-
content/uploads/2013/06/Formulating%20Your%20Research%20Question.pdf
OR

http://www.socscidiss.bham.ac.uk/research-question.html

5. Give the relevance & purpose of your topic to society, culture and Caribbean
Studies....Why do this study? For example, to add to existing literature, shed
light on the issue, highlight a marginalised issue. The purpose of the specific
objectives of the research by mirroring the research questions. Also, it by
extension identifies the dependent variable and the independent variables of
your study. The independent variables are usually indicated in the research
questions. It also shows how the research has been narrowed (moved from a
broad focus in the Introduction. As such, the reader is already able to tell
what the composition of the sample used should be like.

6. In terms of value of the studysay why doing the study is worthwhile, what
are the educational benefits of conducting this research and who could
benefit you the student in learning research methodology, the community,
town or country. For what purpose could it be used - in terms of providing a
possible solution or reduction of the problemor will community or national
policy making and makers a benefit?

7. Definition of technical terms as they will be used in your study and any
words which you think will be ambiguous or unclear to your reader especially
those associated with the technical jargon/language of a subject discipline.

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 Give a source - author and year (APA style) for each definition and include in
references/bibliography. Dont define basic or obvious terms. N.B. as your
research progresses you can always add to this list.

B) LITERATURE REVIEW (8 marks)

Four different types of published sources, print or electronic, in the form of: 2
journals, 1 or 2 books, 1 or 2 newspaper articles and 1 e-article. All sources used
must be reputable and reliable. Such as peer reviewed journals, authors with
sound qualifications (especially for newspapers and e-articles), an official
government/ministry source, local or regional or international respected publishers
etc.
1. Write two paragraphs on each book/article.

2. State the author, title and date of the book/article and the main point of the
article N.B. it must be closely related to a specific research question to justify
its inclusion in your study.

3. A summary of methods and results used by the writer. Compare this with
your own study. For example, did the author use archival research, general
observation, a case study, a survey technique a sample (probability or non-
probability) or a census? Did he/she use instruments such as check lists,
questionnaires and interviewshow it compares with methods used in your
study. End by criticising selected literature as follows:

This study lacks.but the study being done at present will seek to fill
that gap by.

This literature reports onThis current study will not look at this but
instead focus on.

This literature reports on European data, whilst the current study will
be conducted in a community or school in Trinidad

N.B.

You must not use personal pronoun but must say something like:
whilst the study used a large focus group (quota sampling), this study
(not my study) will use survey data from a small sample.

The tense of the literature review is future because at this point

theoretically you have not yet conducted the study.

Do not report findings or draw conclusions in the literature review.

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 4. Note: APA style requires authors to use the past tense or present perfect
tense when using signal phrases to describe earlier research, for example,
Jones (1998) found or Jones (1998) has found...

APA citation basics

When using APA format, follow the author-date method of in-text citation.
This means that the author's last name and the year of publication for the
source should appear in the text, for example, (Jones, 1998), and a complete
reference should appear in the reference list at the end of the paper.

If you are referring to an idea from another work but NOT directly quoting
the material, or making reference to an entire book, article or other work,
you only have to make reference to the author and year of publication and
not the page number in your in-text reference. All sources that are cited in
the text must appear in the reference list at the end of the paper.

In-text citation capitalization, quotes, and italics/underlining

Always capitalize proper nouns, including author names and initials: D. Jones.

If you refer to the title of a source within your paper, capitalize all words that
are four letters long or greater within the title of a source: Permanence and
Change. Exceptions apply to short words that are verbs, nouns, pronouns,
adjectives, and adverbs: Writing New Media, There Is Nothing Left to Lose.

(Note: in your References list, only the first word of a title will be
capitalized: Writing new media.)

When capitalizing titles, capitalize both words in a hyphenated compound

word:Natural-Born Cyborgs.

Capitalize the first word after a dash or colon: "Defining Film Rhetoric: The
Case of Hitchcock's Vertigo."

Italicize or underline the titles of longer works such as books, edited

collections, movies, television series, documentaries, or albums: The Closing
of the American Mind; The Wizard of Oz; Friends.

Put quotation marks around the titles of shorter works such as journal
articles, articles from edited collections, television series episodes, and song
titles: "Multimedia Narration: Constructing Possible Worlds"; "The One Where
Chandler Can't Cry."

Short quotations

If you are directly quoting from a work, you will need to include the author,
year of publication, and the page number for the reference (preceded by

K. Harripaulsingh (2015) Page 4

 "p."). Introduce the quotation with a signal phrase that includes the author's
last name followed by the date of publication in parentheses.

According to Jones (1998), "Students often had difficulty using APA style,
especially when it was their first time" (p. 199).

Jones (1998) found "students often had difficulty using APA style" (p. 199);
what implications does this have for teachers?

If the author is not named in a signal phrase, place the author's last name,
the year of publication, and the page number in parentheses after the
quotation.

She stated, "Students often had difficulty using APA style" (Jones, 1998, p.
199), but she did not offer an explanation as to why.
Long quotations

Place direct quotations that are 40 words, or longer, in a free-standing block

of typewritten lines, and omit quotation marks. Start the quotation on a new
line, indented 1/2 inch from the left margin, i.e., in the same place you would
begin a new paragraph. Type the entire quotation on the new margin, and
indent the first line of any subsequent paragraph within the quotation 1/2
inch from the new margin. Maintain double-spacing throughout. The
parenthetical citation should come after the closing punctuation mark.

Jones's (1998) study found the following:

Students often had difficulty using APA style,
especially when it was their first time citing sources. This difficulty could be
attributed to the fact that many students failed to purchase a style manual
or to ask their teacher for help. (p. 199)

Summary or paraphrase

If you are paraphrasing an idea from another work, you only have to make
reference to the author and year of publication in your in-text reference, but
APA guidelines encourage you to also provide the page number (although it
is not required.)

According to Jones (1998), APA style is a difficult citation format for first-time
learners.
APA style is a difficult citation format for first-time learners (Jones, 1998, p.
199).

C) DATA COLLECTION SOURCES (4 marks)

Divide into subheadings: Primary Sources and Secondary sources

K. Harripaulsingh (2015) Page 5
PRIMARY

Explain how primary sources were used e.g. number of questions asked,
number of people question (sample frame) how respondents were selected
i.e. description of sample technique used and name, position, date and time
of person/s interviewed. Justify your reasons, as the researcher, for choosing
your research design, which includes the research method, the instrument,
the sample etc. Thus were they most suitable for the study, for answering
your research question/problem statement? For example if using a
questionnaire say why it best the best instrument.

Explain why the sources helped in the study; say how the sources were
applicable/relevant e.g. the sample chosen comprised individual directly
experiencing the problem being investigate.
Data quality: discuss the validity and reliability of primary sources used.

SECONDARY

Explain how secondary sources were used. For example how Caribbean
sources gave the most salient view into the issue as it pertains to your study.
Do the same for international sources. Here the author title and dates have
to be re-mentioned e.g. Samuelson (2014)

Explain why the sources helped in the study; say how the sources were
applicable/relevant. For example, despite being U.S. based the material is
still relevant given the given the global nature of the issue and that culturally
the Caribbean emulates the U.S.

Data quality: discuss the validity and reliability of secondary sources used.

D) PRESENTATION OF DATA (8 marks)

Rules:

Used at four (4) different types of presentations, namely:

1. Graphic: bar charts, line graphs, schedule/table, pie chart, comparative line
graphs, comparative bar graphs, Venn diagrams, distribution diagrams -
showing skewness, histograms with midpoint plots, box-plot showing mean,
minimum and maximum values as well as quartiles (this may be done for the
results of one question). Give a total of four (4) graphs here! Each
illustration should be well labelled and include a key where necessary. Also,
each illustration should be introduced. E.g. figure 3 below shows....

2. Tables: several questions in your questionnaire particularly demographics or

bio-data questions should be grouped together in table e.g. columns age,

K. Harripaulsingh (2015) Page 6

 gender, religion, income and area of residence. Give a total of about 1-2
tables.

3. Textual: this is where the open-ended interview questions give data where -
the four (4) most important as per research questions - responses of the
interviewee are presented in verbatim (word for word) and important terms
and concept highlighted in yellow (to be codified/interpreted in the Analysis
of data). Alternatively, you can follow the same approach if you have open-
ended an question in your questionnaire.

4. Pictures: e.g. if you are doing crime you should use pictures of the sample
site affected by crime in the body of the study and not in the appendix. Each
photograph should be captioned or briefly introduced. Give a total of about
1-2 pictures. If it difficult to obtain a relevant picture, try a concept diagram!
5. Concept diagram: that is a sketch/illustration of relationships between ideas,
images or words. For example: a flow chart, cycle diagram, network
diagram, tree diagram, triangular diagram and so on refer to the following
link for templates that you can apply to your problem:

https://www.google.com/search?
q=types+of+concept+diagram&biw=1093&bih=514&site=webhp&tbm=isch&tbo
=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=shr8VN_gJcyXgwSgjoSgCA&ved=0CBwQsAQ&dpr=1.2
5

Data and Choice of Method of Presentation - Graphic

For questionnaire results use a tally sheet (you may include this in your
Appendices)

Data which yields a tally can be shown as a bar-chart, pie-chat, table or

statistical display

Data that is continuous can be shown as a bar-chart, histograms, pie-chat,

table, Venn diagrams or statistical display

Statistical techniques can be used to identify averages, ranges and

correlations among data which can be presented in a table, distribution
diagram showing variations from normal distribution, box-plot. N.B. many of
the more sophisticated statistical techniques only needs data/responses from
one question from your questionnaire.

For non-numeric/qualitative data use flow diagrams for sequences,

quotations from interviews, photos and tables.

D) ANALYSIS OF DATA (10 marks)

K. Harripaulsingh (2015) Page 7

Rules:

Describe the trends and patterns, averages, ranges and state what the data
implies...use words such as increase, incline, rise, decrease, decline, fall,
fluctuate, comparatively, contrast, related to/relationship, link, similar,
different, simultaneously, trend, pattern, significant, minor, distribution,
spread, concentration, male, female and so on

Look for connections between questions

Explain the results, include contradictions

Follow the order of your questionnaire/checklist/interview schedule and look

for similar questions that can be grouped

Quotations can be used in this section

Guidelines (just a suggestion, you can use your own style):

Paragraph 1: State the most important results/answers to the problem

statement (about 3-4 most important related questions can be interpreted
here!)

Paragraph 2 and 3: Group the results for questions of similar category (about
3-4 questions per paragraph)

Paragraph 4 and 5: Account for contradictions and abnormalities

Paragraph 6: Summary of interpretations

Here is a sample Analysis of Data for your guidance:

ANALYSIS OF DATA

Figure 1 shows that the majority of persons were not involved in criminal activity

(17 respondents) 85%, both before and after joining the scout group while only (3

persons) 15% stated that they were involved in criminal activity before they joined

the scout group. Although 15% of the study sample engaged in violence/criminal

activity before joining the scout group, no one continued this trend after becoming

scouts. This indicated that through scouting they were positively influenced to

become disciplined, crime free citizens.

K. Harripaulsingh (2015) Page 8

Results obtained in Figure 2 displays that (9 respondents) 45% itemized that

scouting can help get you into the University of the West Indies, (5 respondents)

25% stated both police and army whereas, (1 person) 5% specified the coast

guard. When in scouts you can get many awards and certificates which enhance

your resume when applying for jobs.

Figure 3 reveals that the majority, (14 respondents) 70% assured that they would

encourage others to join the scouting movement because it teaches you important

lessons and values. Nevertheless, (4 respondents) 20% specified that they would

want others to join a scout group because it keeps you fit. On the other hand (2

respondents) 10% pioneered that others should be a part of scouting since it is fun

an interesting. The information suggests that scouting isnt just about keeping fit

or even being fun but most importantly it encourages holistic development among

youths. This can be associated with, the hidden curriculum.

The data received in Figure 4 exposes that (13 respondents) 65% believe that the

scout promise and law encourages you to be disciplined whereas (6 respondents)

30% stated that it educates you to be a respectful person. Also, (1 respondent) 5%

said that the scout promise and law keeps you focused. The promise advocates, I

promise that I will do my best to do my duty to God and to my country, to help

other people and to keep the scout law. As can be seen, the promise encourages

one to become disciplined and focused.

As seen in Figure 5, (7 respondents) 35% assumed scouting teaches you harboring

and pioneering skills while (6 respondents) 30% alleged that it educates you on

how to serve God and your country. However, (5 respondents) 25% believed

scouting motivates you to stay away from violence and crime and (2 respondents)
K. Harripaulsingh (2015) Page 9
10% stated that it teaches you how to keep fit. For example, if one is lost on a hike

he/she would be able to survive because of the skills they have learnt. In this

question, there was a uniformed increase in the results (25%, 30%, and 35%).

There was little deviation between these results which suggests that these areas

are part of the scouting programme.

Figure 6 states that (17 respondents) 85% said that the crime situation has

decreased while (3 respondents) 15% said it is still the same. It can be implied that

crimes and acts of violence can be committed due to opportunity, a lack of

discipline, values and too much free time. However, when a youth becomes

invested in the scout movement he/she learns about the consequences of

committing crimes and violence and is taught to be a respectable person in

society, thereby reducing the crime situation.

With reference to Figure 7, (7 respondents) 35% individuals believed scouting has

helped the village in unforeseen circumstances, (6 respondents) 30% said scouting

has reduce the level of crime and 30% said that it provided entertainment,

however (1 respondent) 5% advocated that scouting has done nothing for the

community. Based on the information collected scouting not only helps the

community when unforeseen circumstances occur but also with other activities.

Figure 8 shows (8 respondents) 40% postulated that scouting can be promoted by

having pioneering displays often, (5 respondents) 25% said they should make it

compulsory in all schools and 25% said holding seminars in communities for

youths. Lastly, (2 respondents) 10% stated scouting can also be promoted through

banners. Scouting can be promoted by having pioneering displays which can

advertise the scout group and some of the scouting curriculum. This can stimulate
K. Harripaulsingh (2015) Page 10
youths to join the scouting movement thereby reducing the amount of free time

they have and preventing crime.

In the final analysis, there were resemblances in Figure 1, 2, 6, 7, 8. In Figure 1,

there was 0% and 0%, Figure 2, there was 25% and 25%, Figure 6, there was 0%

and 0%, Figure 7, there was 30% and 30% and lastly in Figure 8, there was another

comparison of 25% and 25%. This may be due to the respondents perception that

several options may have the same level of importance. Summary of my findings:

Scouting helps reduce crime.

Scouting teaches morals and values.
Scouting promotes holistic development.

Scouting helps the Bonne Aventure area when unforeseen circumstances

occur

E) DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS (12 marks)

Rules:

Compare your results with those presented in the literature review look for
similarities and differences in the patterns and trends of the studies.

Try to account for any significant differences by comparing methodologies

research methods and sampling methods.

State how results are significant to stakeholders.

Guidelines (suggestion):

Paragraph 1 to 5: Compare your study with the 1st, 2nd,3rd,4th 5th... book or article
respectively from your Literature Review, noting similarities or differences in
results

F) CONCLUSION, LIMITATIONS OF RESEARCH & RECOMMENDATIONS (8

marks)

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Rules:

Conclusion:

- Give your aim or purpose of research

- Your results... mention and account for any exceptional/unexpected results

- A summary of where your research stands among the literature

- Your perspective on the problem

Limitations:

- Refer to your data collection sources and explain how your method, instrument
and sample size and technique) may have affected your results negatively.

- Explain how changes in each/any of them would give a better/different answer

to your problem statement.

Recommendations:

- Suggest at least 3 recommendations. They should be sensible, practical

solutions which could be easily be implemented.

- Address these recommendation to your target audience e.g. the relevant

authorities in your school, community or leaders/decision makers.

- Do not recommend activities or strategies which already exist as this shows a

lack of knowledge of your problem

- You may recommend for further research into an area your research revealed or
for a larger more comprehensive study to provide a better understanding of the
situation.

Guidelines:

Paragraph 1: Summarise your results and restate their educational value

Paragraph 2: Put your results in the context of other research

Paragraph 3-5: Limitations criticism of your methodology. This assures the

reader that you know the studys shortcomings.

Paragraphs 6-9: Recommendation solutions

G) OVERALL PRESENTATION & WRITING SKILLS (5 marks)

You must demonstrate a high level of writing competence. E.g. flow of ideas and
argument, use of language, grammar, and spelling. You project must have an
K. Harripaulsingh (2015) Page 12
appropriate bibliography with in text citations using A.P.A. style as well as layout
and organisation (indentations, relevant cover page, table of contents and
Appendices).

Guidelines:

All exhibits/items in the Appendix must be alphabetically labelled, such as

Appendix A, Appendix B and so on. All items must be referred to within the study
to be relevant and credited. For example in the introduction section you may
have: see Appendix C for a map of the named area under study. In your
Appedndices, you must include:

A tally sheet showing tabular results of each questionfor every 5 response

for an option in a question use: 1111; 4 use 1111; 3 use 111 and so on.

Entire interview questions and answers

2 Maps 1) Trinidad with marker/balloon for area under study and 2) a map
focused/zoomed on area under study (use Google map/earth).

Other relevant pictures/images

Other materials deemed relevant to the problem under study (optional).

Provide a sample of the Questionnaire, which should have a Cover Letter

including the following;

1. Purpose of the research

2. Rationale, why the research is important, and how information will be
used
3. Contact person for questions and affi liation of that person
4. Confidentiality
5. Return of the survey serves as consent
6. Time it will take to complete survey
7. In the case of sensitive questions, add a statement saying the
respondent can omit any question they prefer not to answer
8. Appreciation for participation
SAMPLE COVER LETTER

Presentation College Chaguanas

Date

Dear Respondent,

K. Harripaulsingh (2015) Page 13

I am a sixth form student of Presentation College Chaguanas conducting research as part
of my Internal Assessment for the Caribbean Studies Programme. I am
researching the (insert details on the topic of study).

(insert the rationale for your study) For example; Communication research has shown
that identical pieces of information can be interpreted differently by different people
because we do not all share the same interests, values, and social environment. It is this
difference in interpretation that I am interested in.

I have randomly selected 400 households in the (insert location) area and have sent
each of these households the enclosed questionnaire. Your household is one of those
selected and I would appreciate if you would complete the attached, brief questionnaire.

Completion of the questionnaire would take (insert time commitment) of your time,
and may be filled out by any adult member of your household. Participation in this project
is completely voluntary. If there are any questions that you prefer not to answer, you may
skip them. If you would like to write additional comments on the questionnaire, please
feel free to do so.

All information that you provide through your participation in this study will be kept
confidential. Further, you will not be identified in the thesis or in any report or publication
based on this research. There are no known or anticipated risks to participation in this
study. The data collected through this study will be kept for a period of (insert number
of years) in a secure location.

It would be appreciated if you would return the completed questionnaire by (insert

preferred return date). It is understood that by returning the completed questionnaire
you have consented to the use of any information contained therein. If after receiving this
letter, you have any questions about this study, or would like additional information to
assist you in reaching a decision about participating, please feel free to contact me
(insert name of student researcher) at (insert phone contact) or e-mail at (insert
email address).

I would like to assure you that there has been every attempt to consider ethical research
procedures in conducting this study, however, the final decision about participation is
yours.

Thank you in advance for your co-operation in my research.

Yours sincerely,

Student Investigator

J) DEDUCTION FOR OVER THE WORD LIMIT (-10%)

For those over the word limit i.e. over 2 750 (excluding the presentation of data)
try one or more of the following to avoid the 10% deduction:

K. Harripaulsingh (2015) Page 14

- reduce your graphic presentation (line, bar, pie graphs...) to the most important
four (4)! Thus you can cut down on your analysis of data by deleting analysis of
figures that are no longer present.

- delete literature from the literature review that are not related to research
questions, not adding anything new or are just supporting other literature. In
deleting leave 1 published book, 1 journal, one newspaper and 1 e-
article/webpage/magazine. This action now frees up a shorter discussion of
findings as you have less literature to compare with your findings.

- cut down on your data collection sources section to about 200-250 words or
less (N.B. even though this is one of the most important sections it is only worth 4
marks).

- cut down significantly on your conclusion, limitation and recommendations

section.

N.B. highlight the text under each major heading at a time (e.g. Literature review)
and observe the word count...as a rule anything significantly over 500 words is a
'red flag.' This normally does not apply to your presentation of data unless you are
very wordy.

K. Harripaulsingh (2015) Page 15