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Frequently asked questions - Teachers and schools
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Enrolment, results and reporting
How many SACE credits is the Research Project worth?
The Research Project is worth 10 credits.
What is the minimum Research Project grade to achieve the SACE?
Students must achieve a C- or higher for their Research Project to gain their SACE.
Can Research Project A and Research Project B contribute towards a student's ATAR?
The scores from a student's best subjects are automatically selected by SATAC (South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre) to generate an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank). A result in Research Project A or Research Project B may be included as part of the flexible option.
Can a student count both Research Project A and Research Project B towards the SACE?
No. Students can only count a maximum of 10 credits from the Research Project towards completion of the SACE.
Options
Does the student have assessment options in the Research Project?
Yes. The student can enrol in either Research Project A or Research Project B.
Can a student get a result in Research Project A, and subsequently change their enrolment and result to Research Project B?
No, the two subjects have different assessment requirements and are assessed using different criteria.
Can students re-use work from their previous enrolment in the Research Project?
That depends on whether the student is:
- resubmitting to become eligible for the SACE
- repeating to improve their grade (i.e. a grade greater than a C-).
The following arrangements apply to students who choose to re-enrol in the Research Project. These arrangements are consistent with the SACE Board's Redrafting of Assessed Work policy, Reuse of Assessed Work policy, and Assessment Deadlines policy.
1. Resubmitting to become eligible for the SACE
For students who resubmit the Research Project to become eligible for the SACE, that is, students who have not yet achieved a minimum grade of C-, the following arrangements apply:
- the student has the option of making changes to the content of one or more of the assessment types, and resubmitting the amended type(s) for assessment in June or December
- when at least a C- standard is achieved through resubmitting the subject under this arrangement, the student's achievement is reported on their Record of Achievement as status 'granted'.
The Research Project Resubmission Form [DOC 94KB] should also be completed and submitted to the SACE Board.
2. Repeating to improve the subject grade (i.e. a grade greater than a C-)
For students who repeat the Research Project to improve their subject grade (i.e. to obtain a grade greater than a C-), the following arrangements apply:
Students must:
- undertake a Research Project that is substantially different in topic and content to that undertaken in their original Research Project
- provide evidence of their learning in all three assessment types.
The grade level awarded corresponds to the level of achievement in the repeated Research Project.
Teaching and learning
Can a student choose the same research question as another student?
While it is preferable that students choose different research questions, it is not realistic to prevent students from undertaking a research question because another student has done or is doing it.
If a student chooses the same or a similar research question to another student, measures should be taken to ensure that each student's response is unique and that it is possible to verify that the research undertaken is each student's own work.
What is the relationship between other subjects and a student's choice of question for the Research Project?
The Research Project is an opportunity for students to undertake a totally 'new' research project or to extend and deepen their learning of other subjects and courses.
Work that has been assessed in another subject or course cannot be used as evidence of learning for the Research Project, but can form the foundation of further study.
Can students from linguistically diverse backgrounds present evidence of their learning for assessment in their dominant/first language?
The evidence of learning submitted for assessment, whether written or spoken, must be presented in the English language. However, the student may undertake research on information or data that is presented or collected in a language other than English. For example, a student who is able to read texts in German may wish to use the information from these texts as part of their research.
Are there guidelines regarding safe and ethical considerations in the Research Project?
Refer to the following guidelines:
Responsibility for the approval of topics, research questions. and processes planned by students lies with the school.
What processes are used to verify student work?
Students and teachers complete a Supervision and Verification of Student Work [DOC 178KB] to verify that work submitted is the student's own.
Assessment design
Is a learning and assessment plan required for the Research Project?
No. As each student's Research Project is unique, schools are not asked to provide a learning and assessment plan for approval of the Research Project.
A school planner is available for Research Project A and B [DOC 161KB] to support schools to plan and manage implementation of the subject.
Do schools need to form separate assessment groups for Research Project A and Research Project B?
Yes, students from Research Project A and Research Project B need to be entered as separate assessment groups.
What are the recommended weightings for Assessment Type 1: Folio?
The Folio comprises three parts:
- proposal
- research development
- discussion.
While teachers may wish to give their students feedback about the standard of achievement of each part, using the performance standards, weightings are not specified.
To assign a grade (A+ to E-) to Assessment Type 1 it is recommended that the Folio is assessed holistically against the performance standards.
Assessment decisions
Who marks the externally assessed Review for Research Project A (Assessment Type: 3)?
The teacher is the first marker and a marker appointed by the SACE Board is the second marker. The SACE Board applies further processes should the difference between the first marker and the second marker lies outside the pre-established marking tolerance.
Who marks the externally assessed Evaluation for Research Project B (Assessment Type: 3)?
The teacher is the first marker and a marker appointed by the SACE Board is the second marker. The SACE Board applies further processes should the difference between the first marker and the second marker lies outside the pre-established marking tolerance.
Preparing materials for moderation and marking
What materials are submitted to the SACE Board for moderation?
Materials for students in the nominated sample for final moderation consist of the following:
- Assessment Type 1: Folio
- Assessment Type 2: Research Outcome
What evidence needs to be submitted for moderating Assessment Type 1: Folio?
Evidence selected may include materials from the proposal, and/or the research development, and/or the discussion. The student and teacher select evidence of the planning and development of the research for the Folio.
The evidence should comprise ten A4 pages of size 10 font or above or a maximum of 20 minutes (oral) or the equivalent in multimodal form. Students can submit a combination of written and oral evidence. One A4 page is equivalent to 2 minutes of oral evidence. For example a student can submit eight A4 pages and 4 minutes of digitally recorded evidence or five A4 pages and 10 minutes of digitally recorded evidence.
The evidence to be submitted for moderation must clearly reflect the grade assigned (A+ to E-) for the total Folio viewed by the teacher.
Written evidence reduced in size (e.g. A3 pages or two A4 pages reduced in size to A4) is not acceptable evidence.
What evidence needs to be submitted for moderating Assessment Type 2: Research Outcome?
For Research Project A the Research Outcome consists of a maximum of 1500 words (written) or 10 minutes (oral or multimodal), or an equivalent combination.
For Research Project B the Research Outcome consists of a maximum of 2000 words (written) or 12 minutes (oral or multimodal), or an equivalent combination.
Students negotiate with their teacher suitable forms for producing their research outcome. The form is likely to vary from student to student, depending on the research question and focus of the research processes.
The research outcome must provide evidence of the specific features of the assessment design criteria 'synthesis' (synthesis of knowledge, skills and ideas to produce a resolution to the research question, substantiation of key findings relevant to the research outcome, and expression of ideas).
Note: the inclusion of teacher assessment decision information is appropriate, but not a requirement. Teachers should retain any comments, ticks, corrections, or results information (such as 'performance standards sheets') on students' work.
How will multimodal and oral evidence of learning be presented for marking and moderation?
Multimodal and oral evidence must be submitted as digital files using Schools Online. See Online submission of materials.
What materials are submitted to the SACE Board for marking Assessment Type 3?
Materials for all students in the assessment group should consist of the following:
Research Project A - Review
Both of the following must be submitted for Research Project A:
- a summary of the research question and Research Outcome in either written form (a maximum of 150 words) or oral form (a maximum of 1 minute duration), and
- a review (a maximum of 1500 words) if written or a maximum of 10 minutes if oral, or the equivalent in multimodal form.
Research Project B - Evaluation
Both of the following must be submitted for Research Project B:
- a summary in writing (a maximum of 150 words) of the research question and Research Outcome, and
- an evaluation in writing of a maximum of 1500 words.
Does the summary (written or oral) contribute towards the maximum of 1500 words for the Review (RPA), or 1500 words for the Evaluation (RPB)?
No, the summaries are in addition to the equivalent of 1500 words for both RPA and RPB.
The purpose of the summary is to provide background information about the question and nature of the Research Project for the assessors. The summary includes information about the nature of the research question, a brief summary of the research processes used, and background information about the choice of Research Outcome.