SOCIAL SCIENCE PROJECTS

PROJECT ASSESSMENT FORM 2023

Grade Region
Name(s) of
learner(s)

Category Project
PROJECT Number
TITLE

3. Results, 4. Originality, Final Score

5. Written 6. Assessed at
1. Introduction 2. Method Discussion, Creativity, Initial Mark after
Presentation the interview
Conclusion Value Discussion
12 16 28 12 8 24 (100) (100)

JUDGE’S NAME:
DATE:
CONVENER’S NAME:

SCORING
Each item below is worth 4 Marks
Allocate 0 / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 mark(s) for each of the items listed below, where:
0 = not done/no evidence/incorrect 1 = partial evidence, not well executed 2 = average 3 = good 4 = excellent
Do not leave blanks

RESEARCH REPORT
INTRODUCTION (12 marks)
1 Key concepts are introduced, providing a good background to topic. Relevant literature is reviewed
2 Problem / issue / phenomena identified. Purpose / aim is clear
3 Research Question stated. Hypothesis (if applicable) is testable/falsifiable and includes variables
TOTAL (12)

METHOD (16 marks)

4 Correct Methodology: Quantitative (experiments, tests) and/or Qualitative (interviews, surveys)
Items/questions in data collection instruments/procedures are correct & relevant
5 Sample size is appropriate and adequate for the study

6 Data collection instruments/sources/procedures are appropriate and justified:

observations/interviews/questionnaires/pre-tests & post-tests/psychometric tests/ use of existing data
7 Ethics: Informed Consent from participants; permission from principal/ parents/ guardians obtained.
Confidentiality: Identities of participants: names, photographs & personal details are obscured & not
revealed
TOTAL (16)

RESULTS, DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION, LIMITATIONS, FURTHER RESEARCH (28 marks)

8 Data from Questionnaires/Survey/Interviews/Tests represented appropriately & captured accurately
9 Data analysis, including any statistical analysis, is correct and accurate
10 Patterns/correlations/outliers in the results are identified and discussed
11 Discussion aligned aim/purpose. Discussion of results is substantial and logical
Significance/value of the results explained
12 Cites literature and compares findings to other studies
13 Limitations and errors are stated. Further improvements / extensions / recommendations are suggested
14 Research Question answered/Hypothesis accepted or rejected. Conclusion is correct
TOTAL (28)

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 SOCIAL SCIENCE PROJECTS
ORIGINALITY, CREATIVITY AND VALUE (12 marks)
15 No ethics violations. No evidence of plagiarism of ideas, text, images or any part of the research
16 Knowledgeable about the field of study beyond the scope of the school curriculum
17 Study that finds a new or improved solution or method or contributes to new knowledge
TOTAL (12)

WRITTEN PRESENTATION

DOCUMENTS (Marks 8)
18 References are correct in the text and the References section
19 Research Plan, Project Report, and Abstract are well-written, clear and logical
TOTAL (8)

POSTER / PROTOTYPE / PROGRAM / JOURNAL ASSESSED DURING THE INTERVIEW (24 marks)
20 Understands the concepts, theories and principles related to the study/project
21 Learner can use the Poster to explain and discuss the findings
22 Answers judge's questions on the project content
Shows authenticity i.e. it is the learner(s) own work
23 Learner can discuss limitations and explain importance of research in detail

24 The Poster is a clear, logical summary of the research

25 Journal shows the progression of the research journey
TOTAL (24)

Please comment on

Plagiarism or other
ethics violations

Improvements
suggested

Mentor
recommended

Judges Comments

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 JUDGES ETHICS REPORT 2023
Identify any Ethics issues and steps taken by learner
Learner Name (s): ____________________________________________________________ Grade (s) ________________________
School: _________________________________________________________ Project #: _____________________________________
Category: ______________________________________________________ Region ________________________________________
Name of Judge: _________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ethics issues identified:

Does the research or part of the research involve any of the following ethics issues? (x)
Mark the identified ethics issue with an (x) and supply a description of the violation
The research involves breaking of any of the country’s laws
The research involves breaking of any of the country’s laws e.g. research on humans and animals without approval, road laws,
trademarks, copyright, environmental laws, theft, laws that govern under age minors, causing harm to humans or animals.
The research involves any protected species (plants, invertebrates, vertebrates)
Testing involving indigenous plant and animal species that are either endangered or protected by South African law e.g. Rhinos,
African penguins, Cycads, Baobabs
Any human or animal testing
Any experiments done on humans or animals (vertebrates and invertebrates).
Any medical procedures on humans or animals
Conducting any medical treatments on humans or animals with the intention of measuring, treating or diagnosing
humans/animals with any medically related condition.
Use of any human or animal parts, including tissues or fluids
Collecting and testing of any human or animal parts, including tissues or fluids e.g. urine, blood, smears, hooves, skins, feathers,
and flesh.
Physical exercises or tests or stress
Physical exercises or stress tests on humans or animals are tests/experiments in which participants are subjected to exercise
regimens or exposed to an environment that puts stress on their bodies.
Stopping medication
Conducting tests/ experiments in which participants’ prescribed medication e.g. chronic medication, is changed or stopped.
Changing or adjusting the medication prescription (dosage) is strictly prohibited.
Ingesting of medication, even if known
Conduct tests/experiments in which medication (manufactured or developed by the learner) is ingested by humans or animals.
This includes ingestion of known medication and those containing known ingredients.
Ingesting any food or substance or chemicals, even if known
Conducting tests or experiments in which humans or animals ingest food or chemical substances (store-bought, grown or
formulated)
Feeding animals with treated food
Conducting tests or experiments where animals (vertebrates or invertebrates) ingest food (store-bought, grown or formulated)

Starving humans or animals

Conducting tests/experiments in which the diets of animals or humans are altered by food deprivation. Learners may also not
conduct tests/experiments in which participants are prevented from eating or taking any liquids for any period of time.
Applying any substance, including natural, homeopathic, or organic substances to the skin or body of an animal
or human. This includes known medicinal substances or treatments
The application of substances such as (creams, lotions, oils, liquids, herbs etc.) to the skin or body of an animal or human, these
include substances that are made or bought by the learner(s).
Risk to physical, emotional or mental wellbeing of humans or animals
Conducting a test or experiment, which involves a risk to the physical, emotional or mental wellbeing of humans (including the
researcher) or animals (vertebrates and invertebrates)
Taking wild animals out of their natural habitat
These tests/experiments include removing wild animals (vertebrates or invertebrates) from their natural habitats, and testing in
which the natural habitat of animals is altered or disturbed
Subjecting animals to any condition that is not normal or natural
Altering surrounding conditions within an enclosure or habitat within which the animal is found e.g. altering temperatures,
humidity, moisture, altitude, altered air/soil quality and content.
Manipulating or changing or interfering with an animal’s normal physiology, anatomy, or behaviour
Physiological, anatomical and behavioural studies are those in which the functions and mechanisms, body structure (internal and
external) and behaviour of living things are investigated
Psychological tests on humansTests that affect the participant’s psychological well-being or perceptions e.g. Intelligence
tests, EQ tests, personality & aptitude tests
Participants from vulnerable groups e.g. elderly, minors, sick, disabled
Test and surveys involving the elderly, minors (under 18 years old), sick, vulnerable (e.g. abused victims) and disabled persons

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Potentially risky participants e.g. prisoners, drug addicts, violent people
These tests and experiments involve direct contact with risky participants e.g. prisoners, drug addicts, violent or sick people
Emotionally or mentally challenged people
These tests and experiments involve direct contact with emotionally or mentally challenged people
Research involving sensitive issues e.g. Race, religion, culture, medical conditions
Research on sensitive issues e.g. stereotypes, prejudice, discrimination and hate regarding race, religion, culture, gender,
terminally ill
Testing a device, invention, prototype on humans or animal
Research on a device, prototype, invention that is tested on humans or animals, including the researcher that could cause
physical or mental harm.
Using or testing any illegal or contraband substance or drug
Conducting tests or manufacturing any illegal or contraband substances or ingredients (including alcoholic beverages, prescribed
medication, recreational drugs). Usage of these substances by minors is against the law.
Using devices/probes/electricity on humans or animals
Conducting or testing of devices, probes or electrical instruments on humans or animals should not be done
Taking offensive or sensitive photographs of humans
Taking and publishing offensive or sensitive photographs of humans (especially children under the age of 18) even with consent.
When the research is in violation of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPI Act)
Collecting of personal, sensitive, or confidential information
Conducting tests that involve collecting and divulging personal, sensitive, or confidential information e.g. Medical records, test
scores, addresses, ID numbers, contact information and names of participants or sample groups
Safety considerations
Using or testing dangerous items e.g. knives, weapons, machinery that could cause harm.
Testing must be done under supervision of a responsible adult.
Using or testing any chemical or hazardous or flammable substance or material
Using or testing any chemicals or hazardous or flammable substance or material that could cause harm to the researcher,
others or the environment.
Use of agar plates or any growth medium
Testing or experiments that involve the use of agar plates or any growth medium, in or outside a laboratory
Working with pathogens, viruses, bacteria, pests
Working with pathogens, viruses, bacteria, and pests in an unsafe and unregulated environment
Written Violations
Evidence of any plagiarism (copying someone else’s work (e.g. data, text, photos and diagrams) without permission,
acknowledgement or referencing)
Brand names (including organisations, food substances, non-specialized equipment, and trademarks) are used instead of
objective labelling.
No URLs/acknowledgement of images

Overall Severity of Ethics Violations (X)

No Violations Found
Moderate
Severe

Judges’ comments on severity of violations

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