RVHS CID 3 and 4 JULY 2011 Written Report (WR). A Written Report allows you to: Systematically construct and expand your ideas Scan what other people.

RVHS CID 3 and 4

JULY 2011

Written Report (WR)

A Written Report allows you to:

Systematically construct and expand your ideas

Scan what other people have written on the same topic as a way of gaining some context for your own project

Carry out your own primary research

A Written Report allows you to:

Critically analyse the implications of your research - by methodically separating your information into parts and studying their interrelations i.e. what is the problem, what are the causes, what are the effects and the resulting consequences?

Construct solutions/measures to tackle problems

Remember:

The whole report must ‘flow’ logically – smooth flow of ideas from one section to another

The language and tone need not be complex – simplicity is important for readers to understand - the key to effective communication

In PW, your WR must demonstrate

Assessment Requirements

About 1000 (CID 3) 1500 (CID 4) words excluding references, citations & accompanying captions for tables and diagrams

Must meet all project task requirements Must include in-text citations & references

Clearly paginatedTypewritten, double-spaced, font-size no smaller

than 12

Refer to question paper for more details

Assessment– Band Descriptors

Criterion Approaching Expectation

Meeting Expectation

Exceeding Expectation

Substantiation of ideas (SI)

Main ideas are supported by few relevant details and examples

Main ideas are supported by relevant details and examples

Main ideas are well supported by relevant details and examples

Generation of Ideas (GI)

Ideas are largely rehashed with little or no modification

Ideas are appropriately modified and / or developed

Ideas are insightful and /or innovative

Analysis & Evaluation of Ideas (GI)

Ideas are analysed and evaluated in a limited way

Ideas are sufficiently analysed and evaluated

Ideas are thoroughly analysed and evaluated

Organization of Ideas (OI)

Ideas are presented and organised in such a way that the report is difficult to follow

Ideas are presented and organised in such a way that the report is easy to follow

Ideas are presented and organised coherently

Generation of Ideas (GI)

Criterion Approaching Expectation

Meeting Expectation

Exceeding Expectation

Generation of Ideas (GI)

Ideas are largely

rehashed with little or no

modification

Ideas are appropriately modified and / or developed

Ideas are insightful and / or innovative

Different ways to demonstrate GI

1. Come up with your own proposals/ideas

2. Modify someone else’s original ideas3. Transplant original ideas into a new

environment and show how it is different

4. Combine different ideas into one 5. Suggest solutions to counter the

limitations of a problem

Some pointers for GI

Use a variety of methods of showcase your ideas

Come up with creative twists to conventional ideas, e.g. Exhibitions, fairs, posters – how is your group going to try and do these differently? Twist? New Spin?

Explain clearly how the activities/solutions are relevant to the project – otherwise your ideas remain random & disconnected

Analysis & Evaluation of Ideas (A&E)

Criterion Approaching Expectation

Meeting Expectation

Exceeding Expectation

Analysis & Evaluation of Ideas (A&E)

Ideas are analysed and evaluated in a

limited way

Ideas are sufficiently

analysed and evaluated

Ideas are thoroughly

analysed and evaluated

Ways to demonstrate A&E

1. A&E of primary/secondary research2. A&E of your own proposal3. A&E of current/past situation or

problems or methods

Quality & depth of A&E really counts!

Ways to demonstrate A&E

Show detailed evaluation of ideascritically assess data; don't just

regurgitate existing information

Logical & coherent arguments form the key to analysis & evaluation

Ways to demonstrate A&E

Demonstrating Evaluation – leading towards recommendations

1.Suggest possible reasons for your findings2.Explain what you plan to do with your

findings3.How do your findings impact your final

recommendations?4.Try to draw links between primary and

secondary research cited

Ways to demonstrate A&E

Recommendations

1. Must outline the specific actions required for implementation/feasibility

2. Must be linked to previously mentioned problems/gaps/inadequacies

Ways to demonstrate A&E

Evaluate the likely effectiveness of your recommendations

1. Who will implement the recommendations/solutions you have suggested?

2. How might they be measured for effectiveness?

3. What is a feasible/logical timeframe for the implementation of recommended solutions/strategies?

Ways to demonstrate A&E

4. What are the benefits of the recommendations for the stakeholders? I.e. why is your recommendation better than the previous way of doing things?

Evaluate the likely limitations & future possibilities of your recommendations

a) Consider the limitations & necessary conditions for success

b) Suggest follow-up action

Some pointers for A&E

Offer a balanced view of both the benefits and limitations of ideas/proposals to target group – remember that for every limitation you point out, you can score for GI by suggesting possible short-term and long-term solutions

Analyse the effectiveness of the ideas as a whole; do not focus only on smaller aspects, e.g. cost, logistics – balance short-term financial costs with long-term social benefits for e.g.

Organization of Ideas (OI)

Criterion Approaching Expectation

Meeting Expectation

Exceeding Expectation

Organization of Ideas (OI)

Ideas are presented and organised in such a way

that the report is difficult to

follow

Ideas are presented and organised in such a way

that the report is easy to

follow

Ideas are presented and

organised coherently

Ways to demonstrate OI

Clear sections/componentsPossible sections/components:

Title page Table of contents Introduction Literature review Proposed project Data collection methodology Recommendations/strategies Limitations & future possibilities Conclusion

See sample WRs for possible sections/components

Ways to demonstrate OI

1. Relevance of each section to overall project & each other

Consistent use of linking phrases Sensible headings, sub-headings, numbering & bullets

Refer to Handout “Transition Words & Phrases”

2. Use of appropriate language Tone No jargon, clichés or slang No unnecessarily complex vocabulary and sentence

structures

Ways to demonstrate OI

3. Use of relevant examples and/or analogies to provide clarity in explanations

4. Use of tables ONLY when appropriate

5. Use of appropriate illustrations

Refer to handout “Checklist for Illustrations”

A good WR is clearly organized

A clear objectiveAn introduction & conclusionOrganization & StructureClarityReference material (in-text citations & at the

end, primary/secondary references)Development of IdeasFlow

WR Introduction

1. Define the scope of the report State how the report will be developed i.e.

areas that will be covered for e.g. hypothesis, literature review, research, proposal, recommendations, strategies etc

2. State your objectives clearly The objective/s What you intend to do/show What conclusions you are leading towards

WR Introduction – Thesis Statement

The task requirements only define the broad areas to be covered; every WR must have a thesis statement

a one-sentence statement about your topic. It's an assertion about your topic, something you claim to be true/that you will show to be true/possible

Sample – WR on domestic workers

WR Introduction

3. Give a brief background to your chosen subject

What problem or area of need did your project start with?

This gives the rationale for why you chose your proposed amalgamation/alternative

4. State the links/similarities between your starting point and proposed topic – refer to the Task Requirements in Question Paper

WR Introduction

In your introduction, show that you know what you're talking about, that you've investigated the matter thoroughly, have considered the implications of your findings, and in the report you will be offering a carefully thought-out analysis

This job of uncovering and displaying

your reasoning is what the assessment criteria demand

WR Conclusion

Typically signaled by words & phrases such as:ConsequentlyHence we can see that…As a result…This report suggests that…Ultimately, if we consider that…This report has shown…Therefore it is clear from this report that…

WR Conclusion

Should not provide any new information (statistics, examples, definitions, background research, literature review etc)

Should be related to the introduction so that the reader is reminded of the objectives laid out in the introduction

Sample WR – domestic workers

WR Conclusion

Ask some basic questions to help you write it: And therefore? So what? What does all this finally have to do with the

task? What do I most want my readers to take

away from this report? What do I hope they'll know now that

they've read this? What last thoughts do I want to leave them

with?

Some pointers for OI

Be systematic and structured in approach

Use appropriate graphics and illustrations to lend the report an air of professionalism

Do not insert unnecessary and distracting graphics, mind-maps or images

Tables should include statistical information & survey results, not big amounts of text

WR Reminders

Choose words with care – avoid ambiguity & reader misinterpretation

Thoroughly check spelling & punctuationEnsure NO plagiarism – all secondary

material must be acknowledged clearly (all reports will be run through Turnitin software to check for plagiarism)

You may split up the writing among your members but ensure 1 person puts everything together & vets the report

Substantiation of Ideas (SI)

Criterion Approaching Expectation

Meeting Expectation

Exceeding Expectation

Substantiation of Ideas

(SI)

Main ideas are supported by few relevant details and examples

Main ideas are supported by

relevant details and examples

Main ideas are well supported

by relevant details and examples

Research & Data Presentation

Proper use of research

Research findings do not prove conclusions; at most they support ideas/conclusions (SI)

Research findings must be interpreted (for GI and A&E)

Improper research = weak GI & A&E

Research & Data Presentation

Survey Data

TablesPie ChartsBar GraphsLine Graphs

Place only relevant & immediate data in the main WR

Research & Data Presentation

Interview

Quote relevant excerpts only

A copy of the survey questionnaire/interview questions can be included in the Annexe for reference

Incorporating Research

1. Briefly highlight relevant info researched about your starting point amalgamation/alternative, its unique features & lessons learnt

2. Explain how specific aspects of the amalgamation/alternative can be applied to the proposed amalgamation/conservation

3. Highlight existing/past problems/ways of doing things

4. Emphasize aspects that you are learning from & modifying/applying to the new context

i.e. significant problems/inadequacies in the past/current way of doing things which will be addressed in the project

Incorporating Research

Important to show/cite a range of sources

Discuss limitations & usefulness of the research

Can show briefly how any major gaps in secondary research are supplemented by primary research

Be brief; do not quote at great length; extract only the ideas

Use footnotes judiciously

Research Results & Findings

1. State clearly the purpose of the survey/interview, the number of people surveyed/name of interviewee

2. Highlight only relevant & useful findings that the survey/interview surfaced

3. Do not just describe findings; actively explain, discuss implications, analyze problems raised etc

Research Results & Findings

4. Present findings in as simple a way as possible

5. Graphs, charts & diagrams help your reader to identify key results & break the flow of written text

6. However, complicated info is difficult to interpret

Pointers for SI

Have a good range of information sources (both primary and secondary)

Use the surveys and interviews conducted to support your work

Integrate your surveys into the project; don’t present them as isolated segments

Some useful pointers & reminders

Ways to develop paragraphs

1) State the facts2) Provide 1 or 2 solid examples – could be

survey data/statistics3) Explain what it means/implies4) Make comparisons/show contrast between

your own idea & someone else’s idea

Refer to Handout “Topic Sentences”

Ways to demonstrate A&E

What is an ARGUMENT?

An argument is made up of 2 kinds of statements: (1) the conclusion (main claim) is the statement which follows from the other statements &(2) the reasons (evidence) are those statements which are intended to support the conclusion

Ways to demonstrate A&E

A. argument = specific position + supporting points

B. argument = main claim + supporting evidence

C. argument   =   conclusion  +   reasons

Ways to demonstrate A&E

Weak A&E – Fallacies in reasoning

Slippery slope

Assuming that a proposed solution will set off an uncontrollable chain of events

There is no reason to believe that one event must inevitably follow from another without an argument for such a claim"The US shouldn't get involved militarily in other countries. Once the government sends in a few troops, it will then send in thousands to die."

Weak A&E – Fallacies in reasoning

Hasty generalizations

Reaching a broad conclusion on the statistics of a survey of a small group that fails to sufficiently represent the whole population“We sampled 100 Singaporean males regarding the issue of gay marriage... Most of them disapproved, therefore most Singaporeans would disapprove of gay marriage":

Weak A&E – Fallacies in reasoning

Appeal to common practice“X is a common action. Therefore X is

correct/moral/justified/reasonable, etc.”

Basic idea: the fact that most people do X is used as "evidence" to support the action or practice

Fallacy: the fact that most people do something does not make it correct, moral, justified, or reasonable

Weak A&E – Circular Arguments

Using conclusion as a premise

“Our project on solar powered cars will be a success because it doesn’t pollute the environment. Because many people will use our product, it will not pollute the environment”

The End