Kulazzi
Active Member
Guide To The Writing Of The PIP
Kevin Steed
Head Teacher Commercial Studies
St Marys Senior High School
Introduction
First Paragraph
• What is your PIP about and why did you choose the area of enquiry?
Second Paragraph
• What is your central hypothesis? ie what are you setting out to prove via this research?
Third Paragraph
• What methodologies have you employed in this research and why?
• Justify your selection of research tools - what are their advantages and why are they best suited to your research topic?
• Justify your selection of research tools - what are their advantages and why are they best suited to your research topic?
Fourth Paragraph
• Explain how your PIP ivestigation will address the cross cultural component
• Remember to explain how this cross-cultural perspective will allow you (the reasearcher), to empathise (identify) with the "other"
• Also remember to explain how this cross cultural study presents you with a view that is beyond your normal realm of experience
• Remember to explain how this cross-cultural perspective will allow you (the reasearcher), to empathise (identify) with the "other"
• Also remember to explain how this cross cultural study presents you with a view that is beyond your normal realm of experience
Fifth Paragraph
• This paragraph should allow you to round off the introduction.
• It should also explain how this PIP "journey" will enhance both your investigative skills and your socio-cultural literacy
Central Material (CM)
1. Create around 6 (more if that is appropriate to your topic) focus questions that you would like your hypothesis/research to answer. Use these as major headings or chapter titles throughout your CM.
2. Go through the syllabus systematically and select all of the relevant course themes that relate to your PIP. Ensure that you ”weave” these into sentences and paragraphs that eventually make up your CM – remember that your PIP should read like ”read” like Society and Culture!
3. Always try to blend (synthesise) both primary and secondary data throughout each section of your CM. Where possible, try to support your primary findings with the work of other researchers (secondary resources). Synthesis is the hallmark of a band 5/6 student!
4. Ensure that you source all information via footnote (even if it is from your primary research). Source all of your primary research to your appendix items (include the exact appendix page number via your footnote).
5. Place all quotes from questionnaires/focus groups/interviews etc. in italics and source them.
6. Do not insert photos, graphs or diagrams unless you intend explaining and analysing them (otherwise place these into the appendix and simply refer to them via the footnote).
7. When you quote your statistical findings in the CM, always try to explain what social and cultural forces were at work to produce that data. Remember, the examiner is looking to see if you are attempting to analyse (make a judgment) this data.
8. If you attempt to analyse your findings throughout the PIP, your marks starts to trend upwards into the Band 5 range (ie 19-24 marks). If you simply describe your findings, your mark will never move out of the Band 3 mark range (ie 13-18 marks) because of its descriptive nature.
9. Always have a copy of the HSC PIP marking guidelines beside you as you write the CM (you can find it here). Focus specifically on the 25-30 (Band 6) mark range. There are not secrets to the marking process. If you adhere to these guidelines, you should score in that mark range (assuming of course, that you express yourself clearly, concisely and utilise the relevant course themes and concepts).
10. Always show your work to your teacher to obtain constructive feedback. It’s also a good idea to get others to read your work (Mum, Dad and friends). They will pick up spelling errors, poor grammar etc. and will also provide a litmus test for how clearly you have expressed your ideas.
11. Be prepared to rework your CM many times. Every sentence and paragraph should be crafted to ensure that it delivers a powerful socio-cultural message.
12. As you write, constantly ask yourself, Is this section I’m writing helping me to prove my hypothesis? If the answer is no, then what you are writing is just meaningless padding. It helps you to meet the word limit, but does nothing for your research.
13. Also try to ensure that you carefully craft the concluding sentences of each sub-heading so that it ”leads” into the next section of your PIP. By doing this, you create a smooth flow of thoughts and ideas throughout the entire PIP response. Remember, it’s all about continuity and integration!
14. Always be on the look out for information pertaining to your PIP topic. Read the newspaper every day. Place them on your favourites file re your home computer; visit the school library; browse quality bookshops; check out www.amazon.com for book titles; read the weekly TV guides; watch and listen to the ABC; regularly check the ABC website (especially ABC On-line). In short, become even more socially literate!
15. Do not, under any circumstances, attempt to plagiarise information. Various internet searches are undertaken as a matter of course at the Marking Centre. This is especially true of work that reads/sounds as though it were produced from an academic source.
16. Finally, immense yourself in your research. Enjoy the process, become expert, and grow as a person!
2. Go through the syllabus systematically and select all of the relevant course themes that relate to your PIP. Ensure that you ”weave” these into sentences and paragraphs that eventually make up your CM – remember that your PIP should read like ”read” like Society and Culture!
3. Always try to blend (synthesise) both primary and secondary data throughout each section of your CM. Where possible, try to support your primary findings with the work of other researchers (secondary resources). Synthesis is the hallmark of a band 5/6 student!
4. Ensure that you source all information via footnote (even if it is from your primary research). Source all of your primary research to your appendix items (include the exact appendix page number via your footnote).
5. Place all quotes from questionnaires/focus groups/interviews etc. in italics and source them.
6. Do not insert photos, graphs or diagrams unless you intend explaining and analysing them (otherwise place these into the appendix and simply refer to them via the footnote).
7. When you quote your statistical findings in the CM, always try to explain what social and cultural forces were at work to produce that data. Remember, the examiner is looking to see if you are attempting to analyse (make a judgment) this data.
8. If you attempt to analyse your findings throughout the PIP, your marks starts to trend upwards into the Band 5 range (ie 19-24 marks). If you simply describe your findings, your mark will never move out of the Band 3 mark range (ie 13-18 marks) because of its descriptive nature.
9. Always have a copy of the HSC PIP marking guidelines beside you as you write the CM (you can find it here). Focus specifically on the 25-30 (Band 6) mark range. There are not secrets to the marking process. If you adhere to these guidelines, you should score in that mark range (assuming of course, that you express yourself clearly, concisely and utilise the relevant course themes and concepts).
10. Always show your work to your teacher to obtain constructive feedback. It’s also a good idea to get others to read your work (Mum, Dad and friends). They will pick up spelling errors, poor grammar etc. and will also provide a litmus test for how clearly you have expressed your ideas.
11. Be prepared to rework your CM many times. Every sentence and paragraph should be crafted to ensure that it delivers a powerful socio-cultural message.
12. As you write, constantly ask yourself, Is this section I’m writing helping me to prove my hypothesis? If the answer is no, then what you are writing is just meaningless padding. It helps you to meet the word limit, but does nothing for your research.
13. Also try to ensure that you carefully craft the concluding sentences of each sub-heading so that it ”leads” into the next section of your PIP. By doing this, you create a smooth flow of thoughts and ideas throughout the entire PIP response. Remember, it’s all about continuity and integration!
14. Always be on the look out for information pertaining to your PIP topic. Read the newspaper every day. Place them on your favourites file re your home computer; visit the school library; browse quality bookshops; check out www.amazon.com for book titles; read the weekly TV guides; watch and listen to the ABC; regularly check the ABC website (especially ABC On-line). In short, become even more socially literate!
15. Do not, under any circumstances, attempt to plagiarise information. Various internet searches are undertaken as a matter of course at the Marking Centre. This is especially true of work that reads/sounds as though it were produced from an academic source.
16. Finally, immense yourself in your research. Enjoy the process, become expert, and grow as a person!
Writing a PIP Conclusion
First Paragraph
• What did you learn as a consequences of your chosen social investigation?
Second Paragraph
• Did your research prove the hypothesis that you established for your enquiry? If not, why not?
Third Paragraph
• How effective were your research tools?
• How appropriate were they with the advantage of hindsight?
• Did they work? Why?
• How appropriate were they with the advantage of hindsight?
• Did they work? Why?
Fourth Paragraph
• If you were to undertake this research again, what changes would you make to both your research methodology and process? Why?
Fifth Paragraph
• How has this research enhanced your social literacy?
• How have you grown as an individual and researcher because of the PIP experience?
• How have you grown as an individual and researcher because of the PIP experience?
That’s all everyone, hope you make the most out of these guidelines.