Marine Science Grade 12 Semester 1 Coursework

Task
Design and carry out an investigation into a topic of your choosing.

Aims
1. Identify a problem in the real world that can be investigated.
2. Design an investigation that will effectively test your observations.
3. Carry out the investigation accurately, ethically, and safely.
4. Analyse results using appropriate statistical tests to make conclusions about the investigation.
5. Write a formal scientific report.

Planning
• Start by creating a hypothesis and prediction based on observations.
• Decide on the independent and dependent variables.
• State how you will control the independent variable and measure the dependent variable.
• Identify the control variables and state how they will be controlled.
• Identify any confounding variables, if applicable, and how they will be measured.
• Draw a table to record the results.
• Decide on how you will test the significance of your results.

Conducting the investigation

• Consider health and safety risks.
• Conduct the investigation to a good standard.
• Record your results accurately and in an organised way.

Analysing the results

• Choose an appropriate statistical test to analyse the results for statistical significance.
• Evaluate your investigation and identify any potential sources of error.

Report
Write a report on your investigation. The report should contain the following sections:
• Introduction
o Provide a background on the topic
o Explain the aims of your investigation
o Explain why your investigation is important – how can your results be applied to real world
situations?
• Methods
o Describe your methods, including the materials you used
o A researcher should be able to read your methods and replicate your experiment
o Methods should be written in past tense, and in passive voice
o E.g. “the stopwatch was stopped after one minute”
• Results
o Show your results in a table
o Explain the results of your statistical analyses
o State the significance of your results
o Include a graph to present your data
• Evaluation and Conclusion
o Evaluate your methods and give recommendations for replicating this experiment
o State how your results can be applied to the real world
o Give suggestions for further studies that could expand on your work
Marine Science Grade 12 Semester 1 Coursework
Assessment
You will be assessed on your plan, practical skills, data analysis, and written report.

Deadline
Your coursework is due on 24th November. Plan your time wisely to complete your coursework on time. Use
the plan below to break down the coursework into manageable tasks and keep track of which tasks you
have completed.
Marks will be deducted for work submitted after the deadline.

Tick when
Date Task
completed
16 October – Plan
20 October Plan your investigation.
Write a list of equipment you will need.
23 October – Investigate
27 October Decide on a time with your teacher to conduct the investigation.
Conduct your investigation and record the results.
Analyse your results.
30 October – Write
3 November Write the first draft of your report.
Submit your work to receive feedback.
6 November – Submit
10 November Write the second draft of your report.
Submit your work on 10 November.