THE RESEARCH PAPER

A guide to the completion of the Internal Assessment in

Caribbean Studies

Produced by Mrs. Michelle Carty

Assisted by Mr. Samuel Daniel

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 ANY GOOD RESEARCH PAPER REQUIRES PREVIOUS THOROUGH READING
ABOUT THE TOPIC.

GENERAL FORMAT OF THE STUDY

Topic: ANY, which meets the requirement of the syllabus (pages

23- 25).

Length: 2000 – 2500 words or 23-25 pages excluding bibliography,

appendix, table of contents, abstract and other
preliminaries.

Writing style: PAST TENSE and THIRD PERSON SINGULAR

Other specifications: Double line spacing

Font size 14
Font type - Tahoma or Times New Roman
Ring bound and laminated front cover give your paper a
finished look.

LAYOUT OF THE PAPER

Cover Page: This should include:-

o The title e.g. Pollution of the Marine Environment
o Name of Student/Researcher
o The school’s name & code
o Registration Number
o Date of submission
o Country/Territory
o
Title Page the only difference from the cover page is this page now has the
problem statement as well
Acknowledgements

Table of Contents
List of tables
List of figures

Introduction and Purpose of Research

Literature Review

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 Data Collection Sources

Presentation and Interpretation of Findings

Discussions of findings

Conclusion Limitations and Recommendations

Bibliography

Appendices

Marks allocated to each sub sector of the research paper are given in the syllabus pages
31 – 32 and a detailed mark scheme pages33-38.

EACH SECTION EXPLAINED

1. INTRODUCTION

This section includes FOUR major subsections.

(a) Purpose of the Research

 Here the reason why, you, the researcher, have chosen the
topic is discussed;
 Why the topic is considered essential to study in relation to
your island’s /country’s situation;
 This section sets the research in context and is often times
called the background to the study. This is usually about
THREE paragraphs in length.
E.g.
1. To gain a deeper understanding of an issue;
2. To contribute to knowledge about an issue;
3. To inform decision making
4. To apply findings to other situations, groups or context.

(b) Statement of the Problem

Here the questions or hypothesis to be tested is explained.

 The question/ hypothesis must be clearly stated and not submerged
in the background. Be clear about the aspect of the study on which
you wish to focus.

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  The main focus of the research must be highlighted along with
related questions (Research Questions) at least THREE, (see
appendix 1).

 It also delimits the research, that is, the parameters in which the
study is to be completed – the age group; the physical space (area-
e.g. The Valley); the time frame for carrying out the field work ( 3
months – October to December).

(c) Significance of the Study/Research

 Here the value of the research is discussed.
 Of what importance will the study be to society, parents,
guardians, peers future researchers, decision makers in affected
areas, teachers and anyone possibly affected?

(c) Definition of Technical Terms

 This is generally a list of all key words in the problem defined as

they will be used in the research.
 Example –

What is the impact of television on the behaviour,

attitudes and social perceptions of children?

The key words in the research question should be defined as they will help to put the
study in context. The words underlined, in the above example, should be defined.

2. LITERATURE REVIEW.

 This section MUST be written in the PAST TENSE – you are presenting the
study for assessment AFTER you have conducted and written up the report.

 The literature review has several purposes (appendix 2) but it is used to relate
previous studies to your problem; identify contradictory findings or areas of
inadequate research previously done; and to establish major concerns within the
field.

 The literature review is not just a repeat of what previous authors said, but, it is a
critical evaluation, organization and synthesis of what previous authors said.

 At least TEN sources should be used. Any previous research, publication or

article can be used in the literature review, whether from your COUNTRY,
CARIBBEAN or the WORLD.

 Ensure that the correct format for quotation and referencing is done, (APA Style)

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  To help organize the literature review, the sub-problems /research questions
should provide a general organizational scheme giving rise to various
subheadings.

Example (based on previous problem statement - under

definition of terms)

1. The influence of the television on lives of children.

2. Visible behaviour of children attributed to television
viewing.
3. Positive impacts of television viewing on children.

 At the end of the literature review you should have :-

o Compared and contrast varying themes on the topic;

o Showed how approaches to the topic have changed over time;
o Identified discrepancies/ contradictions ;
o Identified general themes that run throughout the literature review;
and
o Showed how the literature review will impact your research; (see
appendix 3).

 Sources of literature review include textbooks, encyclopedias, existing

research, journals, newspapers, reports and any other written sources.
 Referencing in the literature review MUST be acknowledged.

 Direct quotes should be in quotation marks if it forms part of a sentence and

indented if it is three or more lines. NO QUOTES SHOULD BE MORE
THAN FIVE LINES (A.P.A STYLE).

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3. DATA COLLECTION SOURCES

 Here the researcher tells how the primary data was collected. It should include
a description of the study population, instrument design and execution
procedure.
Study Population
o This is a description of the people completing your survey – give their
location, e.g. The Valley, their age range; gender; and other
information that will have a profound effect on the topic being
studied.

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 o The method used in identifying a sample of the study population is
also included. (See appendix 4).
o If the primary data used comes from observation or measurement of
elements, then a description of equipment or materials used should be
given.

Instrument Design
o This is a description of the method used to collect the PRIMARY data.
o Describe the process used to develop the instrument.
o The process used to test and validate the instruments and how reliability
of the instrument was determined.
o Most popular data collection methods are questionnaires, observation and
interviews.
o Questionnaires are widely used for surveys and formal interviews. For this
instrument to be reliable, it is important that proper wording, forming of
items and ordering of items is necessary.
o The items should be grouped according to research questions to facilitate
easy presentation of data. (See appendix 5).

Mention of the process of collecting secondary data used in the literature review can also
be mentioned.

Execution Procedure
o This is a paragraph or two describing how the research was completed. It
is a step by step report of how the paper was done.

4. PRESENTATIONAND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

- Although these appear as TWO separate parts in the syllabus, it is only logical to
present the data and interprete /explain it immediately following.

- Presentation of qualitative data refers to the tables, graphs, maps and text or
other appropriate method used to depict/show the primary data within the
research.

- Present the data according to the sub problems/research questions in a logical

sequence.

- Present the data using appropriate means. Some data is ALWAYS presented in
certain means, e.g. temperature is always shown as a line graph and rainfall in bar
chart; some data is better in one method than others e.g. age is either presented in
a bar or pie chart. Trends, over time, are ALWAYS given in a line graph.

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- Attention should be paid to the correct drawing of pie charts and bar charts, as
well as the labelling of all diagrams used. Labels should not be more than five
words long.

Analysing quantitative data is usually by means of statistics.

- Quantitative data is derived from measurements across samples or number of

variables. The results form a frequency table which should be tabulated either by
central tendency or variation.

- Central tendency involves mean, mode and median. Most commonly used is the
mean/average. The mean is used when scores do not vary much.

- Variation measures range – highest minus lowest score. The most common
measure of variability is the standard deviation.

- Included with mean standard deviation and mean, simple frequency distributions
can be useful.

- Individual scores can be tabulated according to how many gave each response, or
fell into a category of responses.

- Absolute number or percentage can be used to group into range e.g. 1-20, 21- 40
and so on.

- The results can then be depicted via frequency tables, histograms, pie charts or
horizontal bar charts.

- ALL items of your research instrument should be analyzed though NOT

graphically.

Interpreting data involves a summary of the data giving a sentence or two of the
pattern revealed in the presentation.

- This is followed by a logically evidence supported explanation of the summary

e.g. appendix 6.

- Be mindful that data collected may not support your problem or that of previous
research.

- This could be explained by the:-

(a) methodology and statistical analysis being done incorrectly;

(b) measuring instruments having lower validity/ reliability than

anticipated;

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 (c) statistics used were too small a sample or the measurement tools
used were unreliable;

(d) your hypothesis could have been wrong

DISCUSSIONS OF FINDINGS

 This section involves some level of repetition, BUT minimal at that.

The main findings (at least three) in relation to the research problems are
restated as they were in the presentation and interpretation section.

 In light of comparison with previous studies (do they agree /disagree with
your findings) state why or why not and what implications the findings have
for society or the population of the research. Were your research hypothesis
supported /rejected?

 Implications refer to what the findings mean for society.

CONCLUSIONS /LIMITATIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS.

Conclusions stated should be entirely supported by data presented.

No new information should be in the conclusion.
At least (5) FIVE statements of conclusions should be stated.
State whether the main concern/ hypothesis was supported or not
Limitations should be concerned with the methodology of the research.
They should be credible and objective and admitting to errors.
State what could have been done better / more efficiently.
Highlight strengths / weaknesses of data collection and any difficulties
encountered.
Limited time is no excuse; 1 year is enough time to carry out this research.
Having difficulties collecting primary data is no limitation; as a SENSIBLE
HUMAN BEING AND RESEARCHER YOU should solve these difficulties.
Recommendations are statements of how to improve or solve the problem being
researched.
State FIVE if possible.
These recommendations must be logical, practical, appropriate and feasible if
they are to be considered by anyone.

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 Recommend suggestions for future research within the same field of your
present research.

OVERALL PRESENTATION AND WRITING SKILLS

 Presentation here refers to the accurate layout of the study.

 Cover page, table of contents, bibliography and appendices should be
included.
 Cover page could include a clipart photo, but must include the title of the
research, name of researcher, researcher’s registration number, school name,
centre (school) code as well as the country name.
 Writing skills required include a high level of competence; that is a high level
of organization, correct use of language, grammar and spelling.
 Ensure that these are as correct as possible, which means obtaining a second
reader.
 The research MUST be written in the PAST TENSE and in the THIRD
PERSON SINGULAR.

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 APPENDIX 1

Example of Problem Statement

The incidence of crime in my country

In this study, statistics will be used to show that violent crimes have increased on
Anguilla. Nonviolent crimes are perhaps just as prevalent on the island. The data will be
used to build up a crime profile of offenders for different types of crime. The intent of
the study is to raise awareness about the incidence in crime in Anguilla by showing
geographical similarities or differences.

Research Questions
1. What types of crime occur, and how often do they occur in urban
areas?
2. What type of crime occur and how often in rural areas?
3. What are the characteristics of offenders for different types of crime?

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 APPENDIX 6

SOURCE: STATISTICAL UNIT ANGUILLA

Figure1 highlights that most of Anguilla’s tourists originated in North America, mostly
the USA and the least being from the Caribbean. This could be the result of proximity,
on the part of visitors from the USA. Proximity leads to cheaper fares (possible reason
why there are more North American visitors than European visitors) and there are more
connecting available flights to the region. Also the region is an area where visitors come
to escape the winter blues.

A possible explanation for the Caribbean contributing such a little number of visitors to
Anguilla is that most islands have the same climate and very similar resources. Also the
definition of visitors from the region may not be clear cut. That is to say some visitors
may come to Anguilla and stay with family members, these may not be recorded as
visitors and therefore the numbers may be faulty.

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 AN EXAMPLE OF A COVER PAGE

CAPE CARIBBEAN STUDIES INTERNAL ASSESSMENT

THE ENVIRONMENT

THE EFFECTS OF WAVE ACTION ON CORAL REEFS IN ANGUILLA

Name: John Smith

Centre Code: 020001

Candidate Number: 02000101234

Submission Date: June 2000

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Country: Anguilla

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