HND Social Science
Integrative Assessment
D81V 34: Project
This section contains the instrument of assessment for the Integrative Assessment. This comprises instructions for the three tasks within the investigation namely: planning, developing and evaluating.
It is recommended that the three sets of instructions are given out together to candidates. It should be emphasised to candidates that all three parts of the assessment must be completed to achieve a pass.
Instructions to candidates
You are required to carry out a social science investigation using two social science disciplines that must include the following:
¨ a plan of the investigation
¨ a report of the investigation;
¨ an evaluation of the investigation
You must complete and pass all three stages of the investigation noted above.
If you do not submit written evidence for all three stages, the assessment will not achieve a pass and you will be required to undertake a reassessment.
If you are required to undertake a reassessment, no more than a Grade C can be awarded to this assessment.
Interviews with your tutor are a mandatory part of this assessment and failure to attend will affect the outcome of your performance in the assessment.
Stage 1 — Planning
Produce a written plan and design for a social science investigation agreed with your tutor. The plan should be approximately 750 – 1,000 words.
The plan must include the following:
1. The topic to be investigated and rationale for selecting the topic.
2. Aims and objectives.
3. The main research questions/hypothesis.
4. Identification of the two social science disciplines to be used in the investigation.
5. The timescales for carrying out the research including interview dates with your tutor, completion of investigation and submission of report.
6. Identification of appropriate methods/resources to be used.
7. Identification and selection of key texts/articles.
8. Evidence of obtaining resources.
9. Justification for the approach taken in the plan.
In addition to the written plan you will be required to attend at least two interviews with your tutor to discuss your plan and investigation. The interviews are mandatory and form part of the assessment of this investigation.
Stage 2 — Developing
Produce a written report of a social science investigation based on the plan agreed with your tutor. Your investigation must include the application of two social science disciplines covered in your course. Your investigation should be approximately 2,000 – 3,000 words and any appendices should not be included in the word count.
Your report must include:
1. An introduction to the topic you investigated.
2. The central issue you were addressing in your investigation.
3. A discussion of the methods used to carry out your investigation.
4. A discussion of the two social science disciplines and perspectives used to explain the topic of your investigation and address the aims/objectives set out in your plan. A balance between the two disciplines chosen must be evident in this discussion.
5. A discussion of one text/document referred to in the investigation. This must be done by discussing the following features:
¨ the purpose/aim of the text/document, eg information/opinion
¨ the main/most important points in the text/document
¨ a comment on the style, structure and conventions such as layout, graphics and language, eg did it help communication?
¨ a discussion on whether the text/document succeeded in communicating with the candidate in terms of its aims/purpose
¨ a discussion on how easy the text/document was to understand. For example, was language too technical, was there supporting material, diagrams, did the content clarify or confuse etc?
¨ whether the text/document could have been improved?
6. A description of what you found in your investigation and the way the disciplines and perspectives chosen have helped you understand the topic.
7. Evidence of collection and collation of data/interpretation and analysis of data.
The report should also adhere to the criteria for the Core Skill of Communication at Intermediate 2 and must therefore meet the following criteria:
a) the techniques are appropriate to the writer’s purpose and audience and are used consistently and effectively
b) all essential ideas/information contributing to the main purpose of the communication are expressed accurately and coherently and in a logical and effective order
c) structure takes account of purpose and audience and clearly defines the points it presents
d) spelling, punctuation and syntax are consistently accurate; sentence structure, paragraphing and vocabulary are varied to suit purpose and audience
8. Conclusions.
In addition to the investigation, you should include a contents page and a bibliography/list of acknowledgments.
Stage 3 — Evaluating
Produce a written evaluation of a social science investigation that you have carried out. The evaluation should be no more than 500 words.
The evaluation must include the following:
1. Initial analysis of task.
2. The strengths and weaknesses of the original design including the research methods used.
3. Information on whether data/sources gathered/used were sufficient in meeting aims of the investigation.
4. A review of the design including modifications made and recommendations for the future.
5. The way the integrative nature of the investigation enhanced understanding.
6. Identification of any problems/issues associated with an integrative approach.
7. Identification of skills gained during the investigation.
8. A comment which demonstrates the way in which conclusions link with aims and objectives of the investigation.