Calista Cheng Year 11 CAFS Mrs Smith 1
PART A – CONDUCTING RESEARCH
1. Describe the important aspects of your research i.e. who, what, where, when, why and
how. (to be completed in table format)
Who? Who are you conducting your research on? (the
person and their position)
What? What are you planning on doing for your research?
(research methods)
When? When are you organising what you are doing?
(timeline)
Why? Why are you doing this research? (like an objective
or aim)
How? Describe the process you will take to complete the
research task (linked to what but in more detail)
I intend on conducting my research on my current
manager from McDonalds, Sophea So, for this CAFS
assessment task.
I am proposing several methods and plans in order to
control this research effectively which consists of
interviews, observations as well as a deep analysis of my
interviewee, Sophea So.
I am organising my research method preparations during
the time period in the school holidays from 13-04-19 to
29-04-19 because I will have easier access to work and my
interviewee.
I am doing this research to better understand and
comprehend how people and individuals in unique groups
form. I anticipate on exploring the roles and relationships
that each individual adopts within their specific group and
how they can influence others.
The process I will undergo to complete this CAFS
assessment task is to conduct research effectively by
observing my selected person as well as following the
procedure by interviewing her to correctly and accurately
analyse the aim of the investigation.
 Calista Cheng Year 11 CAFS Mrs Smith 2

2. Observe your individual in at least 1 arranged situation (you must ask for permission first,
e.g. teaching a lesson, managing a shift at work, facilitating a meeting, conducting a
training session). In your observations include a detailed description of their behaviours,
interactions with group members and their effectiveness to ensure tasks are achieved.

Person being observed: Sophea So Date: 14/04/2019

Observer: Calista Cheng Time: 5:00pm-6:30pm

What is being observed? Facilitating a meeting Where: Liverpool

Megacenta
McDonald’s
Time: Observations/Comments:

4:55pm Employees gather at the clocking machine (bundy clock) to register

their names in order to show an individual has came in for their
shift/meeting.
5:00pm Sophea approaches the crew room with a clipboard to check off
who has attended to double check.
5:05pm Addresses what the meeting will be about (including new
promotions, new menu items and methods to improve customer
satisfaction).
5:30pm Asks for suggestions on improving the appearance and procedures
of the fast food restaurant.
535pm Has employees discuss amongst one another about the types of
improvements employees would like to implement within the
store.
5:45pm As discussions become elevated to different off topics, Sophea
utilises her voice to lead them back onto the same page.
5:50pm Employees become restless as differences meet causing a tough
tension between workers.
5:55pm Sophea lists suggestions and compromises with workers as well as
reassuring to settle current disputes.
6:00pm Informs employees of roster modifications and new updates made
within the Maccas Application.
6:15pm Allows employees to ask questions and state concerns to Sophea
before wrapping up the staff meeting.
6:30pm Sophea reminds employees to clock off before leaving the meeting
to ensure everyone is paid equally for their time during the
meeting.
 Calista Cheng Year 11 CAFS Mrs Smith 3

CONTINUED FROM 2 – OBSERVATION

Through observing my manager at McDonald’s Liverpool Megacenta, Sophea So, I gathered

a detailed variety of information to assist in my research task. I observed a staff meeting on
the 14th of April 2019 from 5:00pm-6:00pm. Sophea’s behaviour and interactions towards
the group was professional and effective in ensuring tasks are accomplished within a time
frame and the facilitated meeting. Throughout the duration of the meeting, employees
found differences which caused a minor problem and arising tension. Sophea implemented
her strong communication skills and leadership qualities to step in and solve the issue. She
suggested compromisation which allowed all employee’s suggestions to be valued and
acknowledged. This created an effective strategy to ensure all employee’s suggestions
diverse and accepting. From the start of the meeting, she improvised her organisational
skills to remind the employees on clocking in to enhance the attendance of her workers. The
roles and responsibilities of her level of management required intense organisation and
control over the many tasks needed to complete a regular day in which she possesses in her
personality/description. Sophea adopts the many roles of being a manager at McDonald’s
requiring time management and patience. She assists her workers with patience and
compassion in order to help them learn and grow. Sophea builds and maintains
relationships by utilising a patient and understanding manner which allows employees to
share ideas and thoughts without issues. It represents the power she has over this specific
group of people.

3. Develop and deliver an interview with your individual. Be sure to include the completed
interview questions and transcript in your assessment.
Name of Interviewee:
Date of Interview:
Interviewer’s name:
Where interview took place:
Questions:
1. What’s your name?
2. When were you born?
3. When did you first start working at
McDonald’s?
4. Why did you choose to work at
McDonald’s?
5. Was a manager role what you were
interested in?
6. What are some strategies you use
when dealing with issues during the
completion of tasks?
7. How do you build trustworthy work
relations with your co-workers?
8. Do you think you influence the
behaviour of your employees?
9. What is your attitude towards work?
10. Do you enjoy working here?
Calista Cheng Year 11 CAFS Mrs Smith 4
Sophea So
16-04-19
Calista Cheng
Manager’s Office in McDonald’s Liverpool
Megacenta
Sophea So.
June 6 1982
I started working here in 2015 November.
I chose Maccas because I wanted to get
money and gain work experience. I was also
interested in joining fast food and seeing if I
would enjoy the fast paced environment to
challenge myself.
No, I joined as a crew worker like you but I
became promoted and it just stuck with me. I
enjoy the managers role better though.
There are so many issues during work
because of its busy environment so it’s
difficult to deal with. I try to just make sure
everyone is calm when working because I
don’t want anyone to scream at each other
and cause more issues. I help the boys
cooking in the back when they become
stressed and overwhelmed to reduce it. I try
to be as optimistic as I can so everyone can
follow which reduces issues.
I am just myself. I try my hardest to be
optimistic and listen carefully when they
speak to show I’m interested and help them
out whenever I can.
I think I influence the employees to be more
willing and motivated to perform well during
work.
My attitude varies depending on my mood
but I am always thrilled to attend and
challenge myself with the new problems each
day and help my workers.
Maccas is a fast paced environment with so
many ups and downs but I do, the stress
sometimes gets to me I guess. It’s so difficult
when it gets busy and no one is co-operating.
It’s hard, but I enjoy the challenge.
 Calista Cheng Year 11 CAFS Mrs Smith 5

PART B – EXTENDED RESPONSE

1. Identify (recognise and name) the type of group the individual belongs to and why this
group was formed.

There is a large quantity of unique groups within the community including:

- Family and friendship groups
- Sporting and leisure groups
- Study and work groups
- Religious groups
- Cultural groups
- Other specific groups within the community
My chosen individual whom I interviewed, Sophea So, belongs to the Study and Work
Groups category within the community. This group is mainly formed by the same passion,
interest and goal of financial outcomes as well as work experience opportunities. Sophea
represents how she fits well into this group as she states in her interview that she was
interested in the economic side of work and the interest of challenges in new work spaces.
There are many reasons as to why this group would be formed, to clearly justify, her shared
interest/common goal, locality/geography and specific need helped shape the belonging of
her in this group. She has a the same passion as many who work there and she also lives
close to her workplace creating easier access to attending work and being reliable/flexible.
The specific need in the reason this group formed is the financial/economic aid it provides.
It helps/assists in affording specific needs such as an adequate standard of living (water,
shelter, food, etc.)
 Calista Cheng Year 11 CAFS Mrs Smith 6

2. Describe (list the characteristics and features) the specific roles your individual adopts
within their group.

The specific roles Sophea So adopts within the study and work group is mainly
leadership. Her specific role is to ensure tasks are accomplished, maintain work
relationships and influence the group’s progress in completing the role. Her optimistic
and positive attitude contributes to the maintenance of work relationships and influence
on the group’s progress. She adapts to many roles during work to be flexible and assist
those who are in need of help or motivation. Sophea utilises a variety of strategies to
ensure tasks are accomplished for example, using a checklist during morning shifts to
mark off what has been done. My chosen individual represents her optimistic and
motivational personality within work to influence the attitudes of her workers as well as
increase the performance which therefore effects customer satisfaction. Stated during
the interview, Sophea finds that her attitude impacts her workers therefore, staying
calm is effective. The specific roles she adopts within her group contribute to the
completion of tasks.
 Calista Cheng Year 11 CAFS Mrs Smith 7

3. Assess (make a judgement) how the individual’s specific roles can influence a
group’s progress and discuss the impact this can have on group cohesiveness.

Throughout this CAFS Research Assessment Task, my chosen individual, Sophea So adopts
specific roles help participate in the group’s progress and create an impact on the group
cohesiveness. With her motivational persona, it allows workers to conform to the type of
attitude they must utilise throughout work as it effectively increases performance. The
influence of conforming begins to regulate and become a norm during work and how it is
expected to behave in a workplace. Her sense of belonging as well as self-confidence are the
two factors that contribute to her specific roles adopted within groups. She represents a
‘dominator’ and ‘peacemaker’ within the group as she shows leadership qualities and settles
disputes between workers when issues arise. Group cohesiveness is largely impacted by her
influence on the group/workplace environment. Her organisational skills and previously
stated influences contribute to a consistent work environment. The group works effectively
with less issues than opposed to a person with little experience and the wrong attitude to
lead the group with a poor accomplishment of tasks. With Sophea’s personality, group
members are more interested to work and demonstrate their full initiative into their job.
Although Sophea has a positive impact on the group, every group has its disadvantages and
negative impacts. These include the periods where she is too eager to make the group
positive when there are more concerns in solving disputes. Sophea has a large, positive
influence on a group’s progress and completion of tasks as well as effective group
cohesiveness which implements a safer, work environment for all members of the group.
Calista Cheng Year 11 CAFS Mrs Smith 8