1. Name:
!Yr12 to Yr13 Sociology
Summer Research Project!
This is the first Cherwell Sociology Summer Research
Project. The aim of this research project is prepare you for
year 13 by equipping you with a range of skills you need
to be successful at A2. Though some of you may not be
continuing Sociology next year, this project is still useful to
you as you can write about it in your personal statement
for university but also the skills that you develop through
this project will help you throughout life.
What do we need to do to complete the project?
In your allocated groups, you are going to conduct a research project about culture and identity. Your
project can research, within reason, any aspect of the G671: Socialisation, Culture and Identity. As we are
going to Oxford city centre on Tuesday 5th July to collect data it would be a good idea to research a topic
that you can gather data about from this location.
To complete the project successfully you will need to:
 Produce a research proposal for your project. You will not be allowed to gather your data until Miss
Bragg has seen this.
 Create a formal presentation of your project and its findings. This presentation does not have to be
a powerpoint. It could be a glogster, a prezi or a film. Whatever you choose to use, the final
presentation needs to be completed to a high standard.
 A reflective journal of your thoughts and impressions throughout the research project. You should
also include in this journal who did what, if you think things could have gone better etc. It doesn’t
have to be just writing, it can include images.
 An essay answer to the following question ‘Outline and assess the view that using ....... was a useful
tool for researching culture and identity.’ The blank space in the question is for you to write in the
research method(s) you used to carry our research project.
How do we complete this project?
Over the next few weeks, we will be working on this project during our Sociology
lessons. In order to complete this task you must complete the different task stages
as a group and present your evidence to Miss Bragg to demonstrate that you have
completed the task before moving on to the next stage. Each stage also has a
deadline that has to be met to ensure that your project is finished on time (see
page 2).
pg. 1

2. Tasks/ Deadline Schedule for Project.
Below is the list of all the tasks you need to complete and the evidence you have to produce to
demonstrate that you have completed all the stages. Once you have completed a stage, tick that stage off
on your chart so you know where you are.
Stage Task Evidence to Demonstrate
Completion
Completion
Date 
Brief Idea for Project:  Reflective journal. Wednesday
1 By the end of Thursday’s lesson, you must be  Short presentation of 22nd June
able to tell Miss Bragg your idea for your idea. 2011.
research project.  Group mind map.
Research Proposal:  A hard copy of your
Everybody should hand in their research research proposal. It Wednesday
2 proposal today for their project. Once I have should not be sent by 29th June
checked them, you will be given permission email. 2011.
to carry on with your research project.  Reflective journal.
Proofing Research Tools:  A hard copy of your
3 Before you are allowed to use your questionnaire or Friday 1st
interviews or questionnaires they must be interview schedule etc. July 2011.
checked by Miss Bragg.
Data Collection:  Data that you have
4 Today we will spend the whole day in Oxford collected whilst in Tuesday 5th
gathering data for your project. Oxford city centre. July 2011.
 Reflective journal.
Presentation of Project:  Formal presentation of
This is where you will present the findings of your project. Wednesday
5 your research project to the rest of the class.  Reflective journal. 13th and/or
Your presentation should go through  Question and answer Friday 15th
everything in your proposal as well as what session after your July 2011.
you found out. presentation.
Written Account:
Today you need to hand in your written
account of your research project answering
the question ‘Outline and assess the view
that using ....... was a useful tool for  Your formal written Monday
6 researching culture and identity.’ account to the essay 18th July
question. 2011.
Reflective Journal:  Reflective journal.
You are to hand in your reflective journal of
the whole research project process today.
There should be an account of everything
you did for the project in your journal.
!The whole project will be completed by Monday 18th July 2011. Please note that these
projects are to be completed to a high standard!
pg. 2

3. Stage 1: Research Project Ideas.
Use this space to plan your project.
pg. 3

4. Stage 1: Research Project Ideas.
pg. 4

5. Stage 2: Research Proposal.
What is a Research Proposal?
A research proposal is a document written by a
sociologist or a group of sociologists that
describes in detail their plans for their
investigation. It is like an outline of the entire
research process that gives a reader a summary of
what the investigation is going to explore, how
they are going to conduct their research but also
the issues that may arise from the investigation.
In short, by writing a research proposal you are
answering the following question, ‘will your
investigation work?’ Research proposals are also
completed to demonstrate that there is enough
warrant to investigate a particular issue. In your proposal you need to show me that 1. It will work and 2.
What you want to study is worth studying.
In the real world of Sociology, research proposals are written for various reasons such as, the Sociologist
requires money for the research, they need to get ethics clearance, it is a condition of their employment or
they are required to complete one for a qualification. If you go to university, you will most likely complete
one for your dissertation.
What needs to go into a Research Proposal?
There is no standardised format for a research proposal and the structure you will be using for yours will
be slightly adapted from that used at university. Even so, most research proposal include the following
elements:
 A clear statement of your research aim(s), question(s) or hypothesis.
 A brief literature review – this is where you discuss where your idea came from.
 Study population and sampling method – why are using the technique you are?
 Theoretical Position – are you going to conduct this investigation as a positivist or an
interpretivists?
 Methodology – this is where you state which research method(s) you are using and why.
 Any potential practical or ethical issues involved with your research.
So how do I write a research proposal?
When you write your research proposal, you will use the template I have created for this project that is in
the student shared area, in a folder entitled ‘Yr12 to Yr13 Summer Research Project’. All you need to do is
fill it in. Remember, it should contain lots of information about your project. If you submit a bad proposal
you won’t be allowed to carry out your research. I will also show you two examples of research proposals
so you have a better idea for what yours needs to look like.
pg. 5

6. Stage 3: Research Tools.
Use this space to plan your research tools out.
pg. 6

7. Stage 3: Research Tools.
pg. 7

8. Stage 4: Data Collection.
What happens at this stage?
On Tuesday 5th July, we will be going to Oxford city centre to collect data for your research project. There
is no cost for this trip but you are expected to arrange your own transport to and from the city centre on
the day. You will also need to provide or purchase your own lunch. We will meet you at 9.30am in the city
centre, outside Primark. At 3.00pm, you be allowed to leave and make your own way home.
You will be accompanied by me and Mrs
Arkle. Miss Fowler will join us at some
point during the day. If you don’t
behaviour appropriately during the day,
you will be sent home. Inappropriate
behaviour will not be tolerated as you
will be representing the school.
If you would like to attend this day you
need to collect a trip letter from me and
return the reply slip on the letter to the Finance Office by Friday 1st July 2011. If I don’t have your reply slip
you won’t be going. You are to let me know straight away if you can’t attend the data collection part of
this project.
What will I need on the day?
It is important that you bring the following items on the day of the trip:
 All your research tools – e.g. your questionnaire, your consent forms etc.
 If it is sunny, suncream, sunglasses/ sun hat.
 If it is raining a waterproof jacket and/or an umbrella.
 You are to wear sensible shoes. NO high heels!
 Money for lunch or to buy yourself a drink.
 A bag to carry everything you need in.
It is also important that you dress appropriately as well. Please don’t come in your jeans that have a
thousand holes in them! You need to look smart.
pg. 8

9. Stage 5: Formal Presentations.
Once you have gathered your data and analysed it you need to create a formal presentation about what
your research project found out.
Your presentation and handout should include the following:
 A clear statement of your research aim(s), question(s) or hypothesis.
 A brief literature review – this is where you discuss where your idea came from.
 Study population and sampling method – who was your study population and which sampling
technique did you use?
 Theoretical Position – did you conduct this investigation as a positivist or an interpretivists?
 Methodology –which research method(s) did you use and why?
 What were your findings?
 Did you experience any practical or ethical issues whilst conducting your research?
 Was the way you conducted your research project useful for researching culture and identity?
In order to do this you must use the data you collected to create a formal presentation and a handout for
your fellow classmates. This handout is to be no more than two sides of A4 paper. Additionally, you can
use the textbooks and the internet to gain extra information. Please note your findings need to be included
in the presentation. Use of the internet for additional research is optional if you feel you need some
additional information.
Remember.....
 Do not put too much text on one slide – font size should be 32 so it is easy to read.
 Do not make it too fancy – keep it simple as some colours are difficult to read.
 Use the PowerPoint to display the basic information only. (Your handout should provide more detailed
information).
 Use pictures to break up the text.
 Try to engage your audience by using questions throughout the presentation.
Your PowerPoint should contain the basic information, which you will add to as you go through the
presentation. Your handout should contain the majority of the information and should be more detailed
than your presentation. (It should NOT just be a copy of the PowerPoint slides!!).
Deadline for work: Wednesday 13th July 2011.
You may like to use either Prezi (www.prezi.com) or glogster
(www.glogster.com) to create your presentation instead of
PowerPoint or if you are media focused you could create a
short film or animation instead. Just remember, whatever
you choose to do has to be completed in your own time!
pg. 9

10. Stage 6: Written Account and Reflective Journal.
Written Account.
To complete your project you will need to write an answer to the following essay question:
‘Outline and assess the view that using ....... was a useful tool for researching culture and identity.’
In the blank space you are to write the research method(s) that you used in your research project. For
example, if you used questionnaires the question would read like this ‘Outline and assess the view that
using questionnaires was a useful tool for researching culture and identity.’
What do the command words ask me to do?
The two command words in the question mean the following:
‘Outline’ means provide an overview and summary of the key points.
‘Assess’ means to look at all the theories and evidence that relate to the question and reach a balanced
conclusion.
How should I present my answer?
Your should present your answer as follows:
 Your response should be at least 2 pages long.
 It should be typed up on the computer.
 You should type your response in at least font size 12.
 You are to use either of the following fonts: Calibri, New Roman Times or Ariel.
 Your answer needs to be 1.5 lined spaced.
How do you structure your response?
On page 11, there is an essay structure guide for you.
You are to use this guide to write your response. It is
important that you follow this structure. DON’T create
your own! I have given you a structure for a reason.
Finally you are to complete this element of the
project by yourself. This is not a group piece of work.
Anyone who hands in an essay that is the same or
looks too similar to some else’s will be in serious
trouble. The essay needs to be your own work.
pg. 10

11. Essay Structure for Written Account.
Why did you use this method?: Introduction:
Present explanations for why decided to use Outline the research method you used in
the research method that you did to research your research project.
culture and identity. Illustrate that you understand what the
You may wish to discuss this in relation to the question is asking.
following concepts:
*Validity. * Representativeness. Advantages:
*Reliability. *Generalisability.
* Practical issues. * Ethical issues. In this section of your answer you must justify why
* Theoretical issue. the method you used was a good choice using the
Write 1 paragraph on this. following concepts:
*Validity. * Reliability.
*Representativeness.
*Generalisability.
*Practical and Ethical Issues. *Theory.
*Research Process. * Sampling.
Disadvantages/ Weaknesses:
In this section of the essay you need to discuss the In this section of the essay you must make a
research methods weaknesses using the following number of points that support the question
concepts in relation to your research project: statement.
This section of your answer should be about
*Validity. * Reliability. the ADVANTAGES!!!
*Representativeness. *Generalisability. For each supporting point you make you need
*Practical and Ethical Issues. *Theory. to:
*Research Process. * Sampling.  Define the point.
 Provide sociological evidence – e.g.
theorist/ studies to support the point.
In this section of the essay you must make a  State what this means e.g. explain
number of points that against the question your point and highlight how your
statement. piece of evidence supports the point
This section of your answer should be about the you are making.
DISADVANTAGES!!!  Consider concluding your paragraph
For each supporting point you make you need to: with an example and explain it.
 Define the point. Each point doesn’t need to be made in a
 Provide sociological evidence – e.g. separate paragraph but it may be clearer if
theorist/ studies to support the point. you do.
 State what this means e.g. explain your Aim to write 1 to 3 paragraphs for this
point and highlight how your piece of section.
evidence supports the point you are
making.
 Consider concluding your paragraph with Concluding Paragraph:
an example and explain it.
Each point doesn’t need to be made in a separate Restate your strongest points from
paragraph but it may be clearer if you do. your essay that support your main
Aim to write 1 to 3 paragraphs for this section. ideas.
You are allowed to include your
personal opinion.
pg. 11

12. Reflective Journal.
A reflective journal is a way of thinking in a critical and analytical way about your work in progress. It shows
how different aspects of your work interconnect. To complete your research project you need to keep a
reflective journal throughout the whole
process. Keeping the reflective journal is
important as it will allow me to see how
you approached your project but also will
provide you with a valuable skill for
university. Reflective journals or reflective
accounts are becoming popular with
universities and in the workplace, so
developing the reflective skills now will
help you later in life.
A reflective journal can record the
following:
Where your inspiration comes
from.
How you make use of your ideas to develop your work.
Information that you have read about.
What you did in your lessons.
What you have learnt from the project.
Your awareness of the cultural context (setting) in which you work.
 This context includes: other sociologists’ work and their ideas; the ideas of critics and
theorists; social, political, aesthetic and ideological contexts.
Your reflective journal could include:
Research notes.
Personal comments on your own work.
Notes/images.
Quotes.
Extracts from lessons, tutorials, books, journals etc
Photos of your group work, you collecting data etc.
A copy of you research proposal.
Your written account.
Examples of your research tools.
Your presentation.
Reflective Writing.
Reflective writing is evidence of looking back at an event, idea, object, experience, process, etc. It involves:
Analysing and commenting on the object, process, etc from different points of view using
contemporary ideas and theories.
pg. 12

13. Exploring and explaining the importance or relevance of the object, process, etc.
Considering things that went wrong as well as successes.
Saying what the object, process, etc means to you.
Saying how your learning will influence the way you work.
It is important that you write in a reflective way in your journals. Below is some advice on how to structure
reflective writing.
How to structure reflective writing:
1 Description (don’t make this too long)
What is it? What happened? Why am I talking about it?
2 Interpretation
What is important, relevant, interesting, useful?
How is it similar to or different from others?
How can it be explored, explained using contemporary theories?
3 Outcome
What have I learned from this?
How will it influence my future work.
Language to use in reflective writing:
Interpretation.
For me, the..... Significant Aspect(s) Was
Important Element(s) Were
Relevant Experience(s)
useful Issue(s)
Previously Thought
At the time, Felt
At first, Knew
Initially, Noticed
Subsequently, Questioned
Later, Realised
This Could be Because of
Is probably Due to
Reveals Explained by
Demonstrates Related to
Is different from
Is similar to
Outcome.
Having Read [something] I now....
Experienced Feel
Applied Analysed Think
Compared Realise
Wonder
Know
I have significantly Skills in
developed/improved my Knowledge of
Ability to
pg. 13

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pg. 14