More on the sba
Marjorie Henry, Contributor

THE ENTIRE lesson last week was based on the illustrations for the presentation of data in your field-study report. To close off that discussion, I would like to refer to the analysis and discussion I mentioned towards the end.

Please note that a discussion must take place. In short, do not merely list the points. The syllabus states clearly the guidelines for the discussion. This must be 'very well organised, coherent, points well developed, well-sequenced and supported by comprehensive data'. Avoid relying on only secondary data in the discussion of the findings.

Use of primary data

You will recall that, in a previous lesson, I stated that your study should be based on primary data, that is, information obtained out in the field. If this is not evident in your discussion, you will be awarded no more than 50 per cent of the marks allocated to this section of the study. Let me reiterate that the illustrations you use must be well integrated in the text. Do not just place them in the study. Refer to them in the discussion.

In writing your report, pay special attention to your grammar and spelling. At the same time, use geographical terms that are appropriate to your study. Remember, you are not writing a short story for your English class. With regard to your spelling properly, do not rely on your computer for this, as the American way of spelling is often different from what we are accustomed to. Use a good English dictionary to guide you along if you are doubtful as to how a word is spelt.

Another important aspect of your study is the conclusion. This, in the first place, must be consistent with the aim or aims of the study. Your conclusion can take different formats. These are:

• A summary of the main points that have been made.
• A restating of general issues of the study
• An inclusion of suggestions or statement of implications if relevant.

Do not make the conclusion too lengthy and do not introduce any new data in it.

Your name, registration number, the name of your school and the title of your study should be clearly written on the outside of the folder for your study and on the first page of the report. The latter is referred to as the title page.

Table of contents

A table of contents is to be done for your study. To develop this, you must first number the pages of the study. The table of contents is made up of the different sections or headings of the study, along with the corres-ponding page on which each is found or begins. These page numbers should be accurate in leading the reader to the headings in the body of the study. Here is a list of the headings to be included:

• Aim of study
• Location maps
• Method of data collection
• Presentation of data
• Conclusion
• Bibliography
• Appendix

Please note that no table of illustrations is needed. In addition, your study does not require an acknowledge-ment, introduction and description of study area. Be reminded of what should be placed in the appendix:-

• A sample of the questionnaire schedule if one was used.
• A sample of the interview schedule if one was used.
• A sample of any instrument used to collect data. This includes tally sheets and worksheets.
  Incidentally, do not include live samples of anything, for example, soil and other produce of plants, in your appendix.

Presentation

There is just one last thing that I would like to mention here as I close the discussion on your field-study report. The completed study must be put together in the order listed above for the table of contents. In front of these, place the title page, the strategy sheet and the table of contents in that order. Having assembled the study properly, secure it in a soft-backed folder of quarto or A4 size for submission.

Aim at doing an excellent study so that you can be awarded maximum points. It is advisable to do a draft first then review and modify it accordingly. The changes also relate to the number of words. You should make all attempts to be faithful to the suggested length of the study which should not be more than 1,500 words in length. In short, the account should be concise.

Chrystalee Sterling (right) and Shannon Murray admire their class-mate's work, a scenery piece created by artist, Matthew Coley, during an art and craft exhibition at Bridgeport High School on Monday, January 28. Pieces on display were either submitted for school-based assessment purposes or created for the exhibition. -Anthony Minott/Freelance Photographer

Marjorie Henry is an independent contributor.