Extended Project Qualification Transition Study What is EPQ

Extended Project Qualification Transition Study

What is EPQ? EPQ is an independent research project you can complete in Y 12. It is worth half an A-Level and up to 70 UCAS points. It gives you the opportunity to stretch yourself academically and learn more about an area of research that interests you. EPQ is well-regarded by universities and has helped many CBA students get into their first choice university. “Working on an EPQ encourages students to develop research and academic skills relevant to undergraduate study…you will be a more convincing applicant if you can demonstrate breadth of reading and independent research into your chosen subject. ” Oxford University

What’s involved? - Choose a question (on any subject you like) that you want to answer - Keep an Activity Log (like a study diary) of everything you do - Research your question - Write a 5, 000 - 6, 000 word dissertation (essay) answering your question - Give a short presentation about your findings to a small audience Throughout Y 12, students completing an EPQ will have weekly lessons to guide them through the process.

Transition Step 1 – Complete a MOOC The University of Bath are currently offering a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) that will prepare you for EPQ. Sign up here and complete the course. The course is FREE, you do NOT need to pay for the upgrade.

Transition Step 2 – Choose your question Read the “EPQ - What makes a successful title? ” guide provided. Start thinking about your question, it should: • • • Be something you’re interested in Lead to, and allow for, academic research Be open ended – provide the opportunity to develop an argument, not just repeat facts Be at the right academic level Extend beyond your intended areas of A-Level study Email Amy Mc. Kay (amy. mckay@corbybusinessacademy. org) if you would like help choosing your title or want to check it is suitable.

Successful EPQ titles in recent years guilty of the Was OJ Simpson x wife? murder of his e What is time? How have the oceans been impacted by climate change? t does c e f f e t Wha lympic O e h t g a hostin have on s e m a G / area? y r t n u o c Does either na nurture hav ture or e a greater impact on t he creation of a serial killer ? How far was Anne Boleyn's fall from power a result of her own mistakes? Are aquariums ethical? Is Kanye West the greatest hip hop artist of all time? Is sexism a major issue in the video games industry? What is time? Should w advanc e fear ements Artificia in Intellige l nce?

Transition Step 3 – Start Your Research Tip 1 Think about the reliability of your research source. Can you trust that it’s accurate? Is it up-to-date? Is it fact or speculation? How do you know? Tip 2 Keep track of which research sources you’ve used. You’ll need this information later! Include: title, author, date you looked at it, full website address It’s likely that most (if not all) of your early research will be online. These are some sites that might help you:

Just like regular Google, but the results you get are from academic sources only. Once you’ve completed the EPQ MOOC, explore the Futurelearn website and see if there are MOOCs relevant to your EPQ subject. Join the public library as a virtual member here and get access to 1000 s of online books, newspapers and magazines. Ted Talks are short video lectures delivered by subject experts. There are talks available on thousands of different subjects.

JSTOR gives you access to thousands of academic journals. As an independent researcher you can register and get access to a limited number of articles every month. Find out more here. The number of articles you can access for free is limited, so be selective when choosing which articles to read and remember to take detailed notes.

Massolit gives you access to 3000 lectures from top university academics on the subjects below. This summer access to the lectures is free. Access is for a limited time only, so be sure to take detailed notes (including lecturer, lecture title, lecturer’s university, lecture website address, date you watched the lecture). LOG IN DETAILS • URL: www. massolit. io • Username email address: jcs 011@jcsonlineresources. org • Password: JCSQualitative

This summer Exact Editions are offering free access to past editions of the magazines below. Access is for a limited time only, so be sure to take detailed notes (including author, article title, magazine title and page numbers). LOG IN DETAILS • 1. Visit the log in page: https: //exacteditions. com/login • 2. Select the “library card” option in the top right-hand corner. • 3. Enter the six-digit code into the “card number” bar and log in. • The six-digit code for Corby Business Academy is 001970.