St. Catherine High School .

Business Department
POA & POB SBA Outline

The sub-headings for the SBA consist of the following:

 Table of Contents
 Topic/lssue/Problem
 Objectives
 Background/Overview
 Methodology
 Presentation and Analysis of Data
 Conclusion
 Recommendation
 Bibliography
 Appendix

1. Table of Contents (1 mark)

The Table of Contents should show the sub-headings and the appropriate page number. .
Therefore, the Table of Contents should link the pages to the appropriate sub-heading accurately. For
example, if the sub-heading Objectives is on page 2 then the Table of Contents should show the
Objectives would be found on Page 2
The Table of Contents should be done in table format and it comes after the cover page. For example,
Table of Contents
Title Page

Acknowledgement i

Topic/issue/ Problem 1

Objectives 2

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cN-JX6HP7c (Creating a Table of Contents in Microsoft

Word).
2. Topic/lssue/ Problem (2 marks)

The topic/issue/problem should be clearly stated and describes what the topic/issue/problem that
the project is aimed at solving accurately. For example:
 An investigation into the cause and effect for the poor quality of food available at the St.
Catherine High School’s cafeteria on its student population.
 An investigation to evaluate the financial performance of Johnson's Clothes Store on the
profitability level in Spanish 1own.

3. Objectives
The objectives should be clearly stated and directly linked to the topic/issue/problem that was written.
In other words, these 2-4 objectives should be realistic and assist in providing answers to the
topic/issue/problem Therefore, in writing your objectives, you should use words like identify,
outline, discuss, explain, highlight, assess, describe, examine and evaluate.
For example:
 To describe the reasons why there is poor food quality being offered at St. Catherine High’s
cafeteria.
 To discuss the effect the poor food quality is having on the students’ performance at St. Catherine
High School.
 To explain the causes why Johnson’s Clothes Store is not performing profitably.
  To outline how the various costs/ expenses on the Income Statement affect the level of
profitability in Johnson’s Clothes Store.

4. Background/Overview (4 marks)

The Background/Overview has two parts:

 The description of the topic/issue/problem
 The reason of doing this research/project

The description of the topic/issue/problem- The background/overview should include a description

which gives 'a bigger picture' of the topic/issue/problem. This should also include a brief history,
development, socio-economic and environmental information concerning the topic/issue/problem
Overall, you are just giving a brief synopsis or information about what the –topic/issue/problem is all
about. This may include
 The type of business (sole-trader, partnership or small private company)
 Products the business offered
 Location of the business
 Explain what is currently happening in the business why this topic/issue/problem has occurred
 Brief history of the business
 How many employees are employed
For examp1e:
The local school has seen an increase of students becoming ill and buying more 'junk food' than the
prepared meals in the cafeteria due to the poor quality of food being offered. The cafeteria is operated
under the school's administration with insufficient resources.
The reason of doing this research/project - this should include you explaining how the
topic/issue/problem is relevant or important to the society and why was this topic/issue/problem chosen
by the student. In other words, explain the importance of the student choosing this topic/issue/problem
and its relevance/impact on the society.
The background/overview section of the SBA can be done in one - two paragraphs.
5. Methodology (10 marks)
In the methodology, you are explaining how the research was conducted. This includes describing the
sample, data collection instruments, and the strategies used to collect, present and analyze data during
the research as well as in the report. Therefore, the methodology M UST be written in the past tense.
The following information should be included in the methodology section of the SBA.
 Define the term methodology
 State and describe at least TWO data collection instruments used, whether it was a questionnaire,
interview schedule, observation schedule or a checklist.
 Justify the reasons for using the data collection instruments for your research - describe why you
choose to use a questionnaire, interview or observation to conduct the research.
 Describe the method used in collecting the data. For example, if you use a questionnaire,
interview or observation you have used a primary source to collect data. lf you used internet
sources, business documents or reports, or books then you have collected data using a secondary
source. In addition, you can also specify if the research is quantitative (using charts and graphs to
represent numbers) or qualitative (using the opinions of persons in gathering the data, such as
with the use of an interview).
 Explain how the sample of the respondents was chosen:
 How many out of the total number of workers did you select to either interview, observe
or hand out questionnaires to?
 Was the number in the sample chosen randomly (choose anyone to participate in the
research) or stratified (particular group of persons based on age, gender or other
characteristics)?
 Is the sample coming from a community, business office, sole trader business, group of
workers, particular product or service type or an industry?
 Describe the procedure in carrying out the research as in the date and time you visited the
business, how many persons interviewed, how many questionnaires were handed out and
collected back, how many questions are on the interview schedule and questionnaire schedule that
are either open ended (questions in which answers require an explanation) or closed ended
(questions that require a simple answer -yes or no, or to choose the most appropriate answer from
the list provided)
  Describe the limitations that hindered you from successfully carrying out the research. In other
words, these reasons/limitations may have significant implications for the validity of the research,
and subsequently the reliability of the results and the creditability of the resulting conclusions and
recommendations. For example: the interviewee was always distracted from properly answering
the questions as she had to answer the telephone or assist customers, or some respondents did not
answer all the questions on the questionnaire.

6. Presentation and Analysis of Data ( 10 marks)

 In answering the objectives of the research, the data should be presented using the appropnate
form of tables, charts and graphs.
A table can represent data such as the advantages and disadvantages of a topic, the data comparing two or
more things or the cause and effect of a situation. For example,

Table l: The advantages and disadvantages of the research methods used.

A chart should show numbers especially in percentages for example a pie chart. Always remember that
the data in the pie chart should add up to 100%. For example:

Figure 1: The respondents’ favourite type of movies

A graph shows data that are fluctuating or give the exact number of responses given by the respondents
in the form of a bar graph or histogram. For example:

Figure 2: The favourite sport of the respondents

NB: When doing a table. chart or graph you need to label data correctly and include the caption
under the diagram.
 In analyzing the data on the table, graph or chart you should explain what the diagram is actually
saying. For example, in Figure 1, 20% of the respondents both enjoy sci-fi and comedy movies.
30% of the respondents ' favourite movie is romance, 25% of the respondents said they love
action movies while only 5% of the respondents take pleasure in watching drama movies.
NB:
 Make sure that the graphs, tables, charts and explanations given (analysis) answer the objectives
stated in the research.
 When analyzing the data make sure to make reference using the appropriate statistics such as
mean (average), mode (how many times the number repeat itself or occurs) and median (the
middle number).
 Make sure that the findings are consistent with the analysis or the data.
 Make sure that after you present a graph, table or chart, the analysis of that data should follow it.
 The amount of graphs, tables or charts used should provide answers to the stated objectives of the
research.

7. Conclusion (4 marks)
The conclusion is a restatement and summary of the finding of the research to say what they mean in
relation to the objectives. Therefore, the conclusion should be logical and based on the findings of the
objectives of the research
For examp1e, based on the findings it is evident that the quality of the food served at St Catherine High
school is poor due to the inadequate a1td obsolete kitchen equipment, unqualified persons and lack or
management in supervising the various meals that are offered.
8. Recommendation (4 marks)
 You are going to give at least TWO recommendations or solutions to the problems that were
identified by the findings of the research Therefore, in suggesting the recommendation, you
must state the problem from the findings of the research first. Then give the suitable solution that
can solve that problem or alleviate it. The recommendation should be realistic and logical
(make sense).
 In making your recommendations, you should also ensure that the advice or solution given should
contribute to a better understanding of the staled topic/ issue/problem in the research. Therefore,
the recommendation given should provide a creative or innovative solution to the problem.
For example:
In solving the problem of having unqualified persons in the kitchen, it is recommended that the
management of the school should ensure that persons in the kitchen should be equip with a valid
food handlers' permit and provide training opportunities where the employees could upgrade their
cooking and organizational skills in the kitchen In addition, the management of the school can
provide supervisory assistance in monitoring and evaluating the performance of each employee
on a quarterly basis and make changes in rotating workers to work in the area that they are
comfortable in and best qualified for. With these changes implemented, the quality of the food
offered at St. Catherine High school will improve as the employees will be qualified to prepare
and present the meals in a manner which students will appreciate the healthy and delicious meals
being served to them on a daily basis This in tum will increase the loyalty of students purchasing
meals as they are not only benefiting from its nutritional value but also the consistency of the
quality of the food provided to them.
9. Bibliography ( l mark)
The bibliography should contain a list of resources used in the research. This includes secondary
resources such as books, websites and publications (magazines, journals, manuals and business
reports/documents). These resources should be done in the APA style and contain the name(s) of
author(s), name of publisher(s), name and dates of publications.
THIS LIST OF RESOURCES SHOULD BE WRITTEN IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER AND THE
SECOND LINE MUST BE INDENTED (“HANGING”). This should be done in the following formats
Books:
Robinson, K. & Hamil, S. (2011). Principles of Business for CSEC with SBA, Study Guide and Exercises.
Carlong Publishers (Caribbean) Limited. Kingston, Jamaica
Websites:
Name of Authors. (2017). Name of the article. Retrieved on December 07, 2018 from
https://edition.cnn.com/BUSINESS
10. Appendix
The appendix should contain the artefacts such as the interview schedule, a sample of the questionnaire,
financial statements and any pictures of the organization (for example, the business’ products) that will
add to the credibility and academic quality of the report.
Overall Presentation (2 marks}
 The word limit of the report should be at least 1000 words. The report contains the presentation
and analysis of data, conclusion and recommendations of the research.
 Each sub-heading should begin on a separate sheet of paper.

 The S.B.A. should be typed in Times New Roman, font 12, and double spaced.

 Write in proper sentences and paragraphs explaining the contents in details. No listing of

information will be accepted.

 Ensure that words are spelt correctly and proper grammar is used.

 Ensure that the expressions of ideas are logical and realistic to the research being conducted.

 Make sure that the questionnaire is geared to providing answers to the objectives of the

project/research.

 The SBA should contain a title page with the following information: the name of the subject you
are doing, the name of the business you are doing the research on, the topic/problem/issue you are
researching, name of the students within the group, name of school attending, territory (Jamaica),
center number and date of submission.
Things to Note:
 This School Based Assessment (SBA) will be marked out of a total of 40 marks and will
contribute to 20% of the overall grade for the subject at the CSEC level.
 You are required to work in groups that will consist of 4-5 students. (Your teacher may be the one
to assign you to a group)
 The group should choose a small business whether it is a sole trader business, a partnership or a
small private company in which a specific topic/problem/issue can be identified and researched
on. The topic/issue/problem should relate to topic(s) covered in the subject area. (Your teacher
may provide the topic for you to research)
 The teacher will consistently and frequently monitor the progress of the work presented by each
group and make the necessary corrections.
 The drafts should be submitted to the teacher by email or otherwise instructed.
 The final draft of the SBA should be presented to the teacher in the last week of January 2021.