ANSWER

Practice Paper 3: Writing a Project Proposal

Section A: Aim (1m)

Select from the following examples an appropriately written aim in a formal project
proposal.

Write your answer in the space provided. Answer: b (1m)

a) This aim of this study is to investigate the sustained effect of calcium supplementation
for the benefit of mankind.
b) The aim of this study is to investigate the sustained effect of calcium supplementation
on bone mineral mass.
c) To investigate the effect of calcium supplementation on bone mineral mass is the aim of
this study.

Section B: Method (9m)

Rewrite the following sentences, using the correct verb form of the verb(s) and in the
appropriate language (including APA style on numbers) required in the Method section of a
formal project proposal.

Do not change the meaning or omit any essential content in the original sentence. Your
answers should be written neatly and free from grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors.

No. Incorrectly written Answer

1. Observe the level of precipitate in the The level of precipitate in the beaker will
beaker. be observed (1m).

(1m)
2. Added approximately five millilitres of Approximately 5 ml (1m) of olive oil will
olive oil to test tube A every two be added (1m) to test tube A every 2 min
minutes. (1m).

3. Placing the beaker having sixty
percentage alcohol on the measuring
scale and setting the counter to 0.
(3m)
The beaker consisting of (1m) 60% (1m)
alcohol will be placed (1m) on the
measuring scale and the counter will be
set (1m) to zero (1m).

(5m)
 Section C: Literature Review (15 m)

1. Which two options present an accurate reflection of a Literature Review?

Answer: a (1m) and c (1m)
a) A literature review is an important section in both the Proposal and Technical
Report.
b) A literature review should be written after reviewing only original research
articles.
c) A literature review helps the researcher to further clarify and identify the
research idea or problem.

2. Which one of the following is a key feature of a literature review? Answer: b

(1m)

a) Integrate literature from multiple sources

b) Identify trends in research
c) Present a summary of other research work

3. Read the information in Text A and Text B (on the next page) and answer the following
questions.

a) Which text bears the characteristics of an appropriate passage in (1m)

a literature review?
Answer: Text A

b) Highlight 3 key characteristics of a literature review present in the

identified text in your answer (a). State the Line number where that
characteristic can be found in the identified text; there is no need to
quote from the text. (6m)

1. 1 Characteristic: It identifies the problem or gap in the research (2m)

1 area / the area for further research. (1m)

Example: Line 9 (1m)

2. Characteristic: It informs the reader of common /similar findings (2m)

among studies. (1m)

Example: Line 1, 2 & 3 (1m) or Line 2 and 3 or Line 5 and 6

3. Characteristic: It informs the reader of conflicting evidence / (2m)

inconsistencies in the results of the studies. (1m)

Example: Line 3 and 4 (1m) or Line 6, 7 & 8

c) Identify reporting verbs from the identified text in your answer for
(a). (3m)
Any 6 of the following answers
 Line No.: 1 found
Line No.: 2 claimed
Line No.: 3 shown
Line No.: 4 reported
Line No.: 5 revealed
Line No.: 6 revealed
Line No.: 7 alerted
Line No.: 8 countered
Line No.: 9 proposed (refer to line 9)

d) Identify connectives from the identified text in your answer for (a) and
match them according to their functions in the table below. (2m)

Function Connective

Comparing Information Similarly, while

Contrasting Information however, on the contrary

Showing Cause and Effect hence

Adding Information furthermore

 TEXT A
Line1
In a research study by Lincoln (2007) from Yale University, it was found that 82
percent of Michigan consumers with a medical diagnosis of lactose intolerance had
no intestinal symptoms when drinking raw milk. Line2Eunson and Oldham (2006), raw
milk proponents from the University of California, claimed that pasteurisation
diminishes vitamin potency and destroys important enzymes. Line3Similarly in a study
conducted by Pickard (2003) of Britain’s Leeds University, it was shown that while
pasteurised milk had reduced nutritional content, untreated milk had a higher
nutritional value, and provided more available vitamins and minerals than
pasteurised milk. Line4However, the experts from the Federal Center for Disease
Control and Prevention Centre (CDC) reported that there was no meaningful
nutritional difference between pasteurised and raw milk (2007). Line5Furthermore, a
study published in the ‘Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology’ in 2006 revealed
that drinking raw milk lessened a child’s chances of developing asthma, eczema and
hay fever. Line6According to a Swiss study published in ‘Clinical and Experimental
Allergy’, it was revealed that consumption of farm milk could offer protection
against asthma and allergy (2006). Line7On the contrary, the researchers who had
conducted the study had alerted the scientific community that raw milk may contain
pathogens such as salmonella or E.coli which may lead to serious health risks (2006).
Line8
Raw milk advocates, Eunson and Oldham (2007), countered that there have also
been numerous bacterial outbreaks traced to pasteurised milk. Line9 Hence, the
Federal Center for Disease Control and Prevention Center (2007) proposed that
more research in the area of pathogen identification in both pasteurised and raw
milk is needed before any conclusive results could be reached.

Adapted from “The Environmental Magazine. Split Milk.,” by Y.E, Fast, 2008. Vol. 19, Issue 3, page 42, from
Academic Search Premier database.

TEXT B
Line1
In a study conducted on the elderly, it was reported that combined calcium and
vitamin D supplementation reduced bone loss in the spine, neck and total body of
the subjects (O’ Brien, 1998). Line2In another study also conducted on elderly
subjects, it was established that calcium and vitamin D supplementation contributed
to continued benefits in the preservation of bone mass (Hughes, Harriss, Krall, Dallal
in O’Brien, 1998). Line3The findings from these studies support that calcium and
vitamin D supplementation is necessary for the elderly. Line4When bone mass is an
outcome variable, it is important that the long-term efficacy of a given intervention
be addressed. Line5Differences in bone mass observed after only 1 year of
supplementation may reflect transient remodeling effects that may or may not
persist over longer study intervals. Line6In the study by Hughes, Harriss, Krall and
Dallal (1998) continued benefits were apparent following a 3-year supplementation
interval, indicating that calcium and vitamin D supplementation was of long-term
benefit in the maintenance of bone mass. Line7A recent supplementation study of 389
men and women over the age of 65 years was conducted to address the impact of
combined calcium and vitamin D supplementation on nonvertebral fracture
incidence and maintenance of bone mass. Line8Daily supplementation with 500 mg
calcium and 700 IU vitamin D for 3 years moderately reduced bone loss at several
sites and significantly decreased the rate of nonvertebral fractures, compared with a
placebo group.
Adapted from “Combined calcium and vitamin D supplementation reduces bone loss and fracture incidence in
older men and women,” by K.O. O’Brien, 1998, Nutrition Reviews, 56(5), 148-151. Retrieved November 4,
2015, from ProQuest Science Journals Database.