Mathematics SBA Outline

1. Project Title
 It should be clear, concise and related to a real-world problem.
 The title may be in the form of a question or a precise statement of intent. Its intention
is to show what you will be trying to accomplish. Some questions to consider when
constructing your title:
o Is your project title clear, brief and easily understood?
o Does it give the reader a good idea or first impression of your project?
o Can it be applied to real life?
o Is it one that you truly enjoy doing?

2. Acknowledgement

3. Introduction
 It should be well thought out and gives a comprehensive description of the project
itself.
 It should set the background for what you intend to do
 The objectives should be stated in the introduction and those objectives should be
very clear and precise. Some questions to consider when writing your
introduction:
o Does it begin with a description of your reason to choose this topic?
o Was the overall Problem Statement eventually given?
o Was the overall Problem Statement divided into smaller components
known as Sub-Problems? These are the minor tasks that must be achieved
to solve the complete problem Statement.
o Were these Sub-Problems clearly stated or listed?

4. Table of Content
 The table of Contents helps the reader to navigate your project with ease
 List the Section heads in a separate cell and write the corresponding page number
in the adjacent cell
 Your table of contents informs the reader about the content of your project

5. Method of Data Collection

 The method that you use to collect your data needs to be stated clearly here.
 If you plan to use a questionnaire, an experiment, an interview, an investigation
and so on, you need to ensure that your Method is free from flaws as a flawed
method will lead to unreliable data.
 If your data is unreliable, whatever conclusion is drawn will be flawed. Take
time out to ensure that your data collection method is sound.
 The instruments you intend to use to gather the data should be stated here.
 A sample of tables with headings, questionnaires, interview questions, diagrams
and general calculations about things you intend to discuss should be included
here. Questions to consider:
o Did you clearly describe how you collected this data?
o Did you interview anyone? If you did then you need to say so
o Did you use a questionnaire or invoice? If so place a copy here
o Did you receive data from a source, such as the Library, a records
department or Information Centre?
o Did you conduct your own observations over a period?
o What type of data is it? Is it discrete or continuous data?
o Was your data grouped or ungrouped?
6. Presentation of Data
 This needs to be accurate and well organized.
 If you use a table, it needs to be properly laid out with appropriate column headers
that describe exactly what you are doing.
 Additionally, to support your table, you will need to have at least one graph that
shows your data.
 You can use any type of statistical graph such as pie chart, bar graph, line graph
and so on. Your graphs need to be well labelled with appropriate axes.
 You also need to introduce the graph. For example: The (insert name of graph)
graph shows …then add your graph.
 Tables and graphs should be numbered. For example: table 1, table 2 and figure 1,
figure 2 and so on respectively.
 Be accurate in your use of Mathematical concepts to ensure everything is
accurately worked out. Questions to consider:
o Did you present the data that was collected in a coherent and logical
order?
o Was the data easily read?
o Is the data presented related to the data collected?
o Did you use any tables, figures, graphs or diagrams?
o Were your variables defined?
o Did you state any and/or all the mathematical formulae related to the Sub-
Problems?
o Were any theory or definitions associated with the solutions of the Sub-
Problems, stated?

7. Analysis of Data
 In this section, use of Mathematical language, terms and concepts are very
important.
 Write in a detailed and coherent way. No need to be wordy, just ensure you make
sense of the data.
 Look at averages and compare quantities using percentages.
 The data analysis must be written in a way that the reader can understand what
you mean. Questions to consider:
o What is your data saying to you?
o Did you identify each Sub-Problem?
o What patterns or trends did you see?
o Were your formulae correctly defined and applied?
o Are your solutions outlined in a clear and logical format?
o Are your solutions correct?

8. Discussion of Findings
 This must follow from your data and data analysis. Ensure not to try impress
anyone by making claims that are not supported by the data you have or the
analysis you have done.
 State clearly and precisely what your findings are. Questions to consider:
o What exactly have you found?
o If you were to change any assumptions you made to do your calculations,
how would the results differ?
o Can you think of any limitations or shortcomings or conditions or
influence you could not control? If there were any limitations, you need
to place them here?
o Did you identify your Sub-Problems?
o Were the results of your calculations to each Sub-Problems stated
accurately, clearly and logically.
o Were the collected data accurately linked to the results of your
calculations?
 9. Recommendations

10. Conclusion
 Make a summary of what you have done in the analysis of the data and the
discussions of the findings.
 This gives the final idea of your project. Questions to consider:
o Did summarize your Sub-Problems and their respective results?
o Was the importance of your project conveyed and how it could be applied
to the real world?
o Are there other ways in which your project could be improved?
o Does it look excellent and noteworthy?
o Are you proud of your completed project?

11. Appendices

12. References/Bibliography
 This allows you to credit the people or institutions or websites from which you get
information
 It helps you avoid the act of Plagiarism
 It also informs the reader of other sources from which they can receive more
information.
NB: 1. You get marks for correct grammar.
2. Your work must be typed (font – Times New Roman; font size – 12; space – line
and a half). Main headings should be centred in bold type with font size – 14; sub-
headings should be aligned to the left bold type with font size – 12. The first line of
the paragraph must be indented.
3. You need a cover page with your personal and centre information.
4. You have a 1000-word limit (this does not include appropriate quotations,
sources, charts, graphs, tables, pictures, references and appendices).

References
Berment, R. (2016). The Student’s Handbook for writing the CSEC Mathematics SBA: A
Workbook and Guide. La Romaine, Trinidad: Caribbean Educational Publishers Ltd.
Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate: Business Cognate School-Based Assessment
Research Guidelines. (2017). Caribbean Examination Council. Kingston. Retrieved from
https://www.cxc.org/examinations/csec/.
CSEC Math Tutor (nd). CSEC Mathematics SBA Outline. Retrieved from
https://www.csecmathtutor.com/sba-guide.html
Onyefulu, C. (2011). Guidelines for the Preparation and Presentation of Research Projects:
Faculty of Education & Liberal Studies. (rev. ed). Kingston: University of Technology.