.A.

Guidelines
Internal Assessment
General Guidelines for the Internal Assessment
This section will provide students with a general guideline for the structure of their Internal
Assessment. We have simply explained in a bit more detail how the marks are awarded
and provided suggestions for how students should go about putting the IA together. Please
note that students are not to use our guidelines as a substitute for Teacher
guidance and counsel. We have simply provided a guide for students, which would help to
make the research and compliation process a bit more manageable.

Section 1

Section 2

Section 3

Bibliography
Section 1
This section is divided into three parts
Section I. Introduction (5marks)
Background
Gives an overall introduction of the research topic, historical references if any, other impacting
factors which maybe social, economic, environmental or political.
Definition of Research Problem
1. This includes a statement of Problem This is a statement, not a question. It is a
statement about the issue the research paper/project is based upon. e.g. This paper seeks to
examine: The socio-economic factors that contributes to the prevalence of female-headed
households in the village of G ; located on the South Western Coast of Grenada.
2. Aims and Objectives of study (5 marks) This research paper attempts to determine the
following:

- The social and economic factors, which contributes to the formation of female-headed
households in G Village.
- The socio-economic consequences of the prevalence of such households for the community of
G in particular and the Parish of St. George in general.
- Recommendations for policy makers and other social service groups to help alleviate the
problems caused by the existence of such households.
3. Literature Review (8 marks) - Students should read at least six (6) sources on the issue they
are conducting research. This includes books, magazines, newspaper clippings, electronic
sources etc. Avoid having only electronic sources, in as far as is possible use books. - The
literature review should be no more than four-six paragraphs.
- A literature review is a brief overview of the available literature (print and electronic etc.) on
the issue being researched. It also gives the reader an idea of the focus of the particular
literature.
E.g. Ann Marsche in The Demasculinization of Men (1998) suggests that one of the major
reasons for the growth and prevalence of female-headed households due to the masculiniztion
of women women overtaking male responsibility, which parallels the marginalization of the
male, forcing them to the sidelines. The ultimate response of the male: he reverts to pimping,
playing and partying, while the female endures duress! - Further the literature review also
highlights the areas where much research may not have been done. - Finally, ensure that YOU
state where your research would fit in in the wider scheme of things. E.g. this research project
would add to the existing literature, since no empirical research has been conducted in G on the
issue of female-headed households. In so doing the researcher hopes to provoke policy makers
and social service providers to become pro-active at the community level in matters relating to
family life which in turn affects community and national development. At the end of SECTION I
the student will be marked on his/her communication (use of language proper sentence
construction and spelling) in a logical (good ordering of thoughts) way using correct grammar.
( 1 mark)
Section 2

1. The research design (4 marks)

In this section the student is required to explain how they put their research tools together.
This may include a brief outline of research methods used, timelines etc...

- In order to collect empirical data (statistics), printed questionnaires were used as a primary
source. The questionnaire as a tool for collecting data has a number of advantages suited to the
title of this research paper, these include the following:
a. It was useful for collecting large amounts of data in a short period of time.
b. Guaranteed confidentiality for the respondents
c. It was convenient for both the researcher and respondents alike since respondents were able
to respond to the questionnaire at their own convenience, without the monitoring of the
researcher.
- A table showing the timeline date and times of tasks performed can also be included (this is
optional). However, it may be useful to show how research was conducted for more qualitative
type/based research papers.
2. Sociological Perspective (3 marks)
In this section candidates are to accurately and succintly use relevant sociological perspectives
to highlight what Sociologists say about the research topic under discussion.
Candidates are expected to demonstrate that they have the ability to satisfactorily dissect (use,
weigh, assess and evaluate), relevant sociological perspectives to discuss the positive and or
negative impact/occurances etc.. of the social phenomenon that is being researched.

3. The Sample/Selection of Subjects to be Studied (3marks)

The research sample consisted of fifty (50) female-headed households in G village St. Georges. G
village consists of ten (10) streets, five (5) female-headed households from each street were
randomly selected, and questionnaires administered to them. The age group of this sample
population ranged from 18 60 years.
3. The Data Collection : Instrument and Techniques (3 marks)
Attach all data collection instruments and copy of cover letters dispatched with the data
collection instrument to instruct the respondents on how to answer the questions as well as the
reason for the conducting of the research paper. E.g. Copy of Questionnaire and Cover Letter.
Section 3

Presentation of Data
1. Presentation (9 marks)
- Present data in different formats e.g. pie, bar charts etc
2. Analysis of data (6marks)
- Explain what your data shows
3. Discussion of Findings and Conclusions (6 marks)
- This refers to the trends, peculiarities (specific occurrences), recent phenomenon etc as it
relates to the area of research and the general applications that can be made in terms of the
society, community etc.
Also make recommendations as it relates to the trends, peculiarities etc.
At the end of SECTION III the student will be marked on his/her communication (use of
language proper sentence construction and spelling) in a logical (good ordering of thoughts)
way using correct grammar. (3 marks)
Bibliography
Bibliography (3marks)

There are differing styles for writing a bibliography.

Since Sociology is a Social Science, the Bibliography should use a style commensurate
with the Social Science standard.
Traditionally this has been the APA (American Psychological Association) style.
Format Example for Bibliographic Citation:
General Rule: Authors' names are inverted (last name first); give the last name and initials for
all authors of a particular work unless the work has more than six authors. IN THE CASE
WHERE THERE ARE MORE THAN SIX AUTHORS USE et.al. after the sixth author.
A. Books
Author, A. A. (Year of publication). Title of work: Capital letter also for subtitle. Location:
Publisher.
Example: Underwood, Fane. 2004. Maleness and Masculinity in a Genderized World,
Kingston: Jamaica, Ian Randle Publishers
B. Electronic sources

Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Date of publication). Title of article. Title of Online Source,
volume number(issue number if available). Retrieved month day, year,
from http://www.someaddress.com/full/url/
Example: Neyhart, D, & Karper, E. et.al. (February 17th 2009). APA Formatting and Style
Guide. Owl Materials. Retrieved April 12th, 2009,
from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/09/
C. Non-Print Sources
(R. Sankar, personal communication, April 4, 2009)
D. Other Sources
Liszosky, F.T. (2000). Sociology. In The World Book Encyclopedia (Vol. 14, pp. 321-322). New
York: World Book Inc.
E. Government Sources
Central Statistical Office. (2003). Household Income Averages (CSO No. 0025). Port of Spain:
Trinidad. Government Printing Office.
For more detailed information on citation styles please refer to a Citation
manual.