Our resources are designed to support you every step of the way - from setting your question to presenting your findings.
Your EPQ Plan
Introduction
Kristina and Becca will take you through the thoughts behind setting a question and how to go about choosing your project title/question. They will consider why you choose your topic, whether or not you will undertake the artefact or essay, aims and objectives and how to make the project manageable.
Activity
- Either alone or in groups, consider the titles below. In the context of the time and resources available, are they too Big, too Small or achievable? Be prepared to give reasons for your answers.
- A study of mental wellbeing in older people
- Does the WAP dance craze endanger children?
- Criminology
- Create a series of online lessons for a local Cub Scout group
- Is the use of Stop and Search by the Police discriminatory?
- What are the long-term health impacts of COVID-19?
- Build a robot
- Assess the impact of the 2020 Green Recovery
- For any you have identified as either too big or too small, how could they be adapted?
Useful links
INTRODUCTION
Kristina and Rebecca take you through starting your research, finding reliable sources, considering primary and secondary research, and thinking about bias.
Harvard referencing
Kristina and Becca will take you through Harvard Referencing. This is one form of referencing you can use for your project.
ACTIVITY
- Read the article Care home deaths: the untold and largely unrecorded tragedy of COVID-19
- Use the CARS (Credibility, Accuracy, Reasonableness, Support) method to review the source.
Useful links
INTRODUCTION
Rebecca and Kristina discuss how and when to build you Production Log, and the different levels of content required.
Activity
Think about a learning experience and identify the different factors that were present within the experience. It can be a formal experience or an informal one. You may find the following questions helpful:
- What
- Why?
- What was your reaction?
- Were there any issues?
- Did you find anything challenging?
- What have you learned?
Useful links
- 'Production Log' presentation
- Real example: Ed
- Real example: Sophie
INTRODUCTION
Rebecca and Kristina will take you through reviewing your reading, considering reliable sources, questioning the sources you have, and linking them to build the themes and topics of your project.
Rebecca and Kristina lead you through building your extended essay, considering the components, and how to include all the necessary information.
Rebecca and Kristina will take you through an example of structuring your academic writing for your practical project or artefact, drawing on the information you have learnt about your Literature Review and Production Log.
Activity
- Write a 300 word summary of the key arguments of your EPQ project.
This summary must contain at least two in-text citations. You should use the Harvard Referencing style to reference the sources and evidence used.
- Write out a plan of what information you are going to put in each section.
Make a note of the key literature that will support the points you’re making in each paragraph.
Useful links
Introduction
Heather will take you through what makes a great presentation, structure and content, design and tackling nerves.
Activity
Think about something you love. This could be your favourite film, favourite band, or a hobby you enjoy. Spend 5-10 minutes jotting down some notes about it. You could think about:
- Why do you enjoy it?
- When did you first get into them?
You will then have 2 minutes to talk non-stop about something you love to another individual. Ask someone to time you during this exercise.
Reflection: How did you find this exercise? Did it go quickly or slowly? Did you need more time to prep?
Ask for feedback from your audience: How engaged were they? What did you do well? What could you improve on?
Useful links
- Study Skills booklet - A handy guide to support you in completing the EPQ, covering topics such as academic language, referencing and time management.