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Business Based Coursework

Generally, coursework is an optional element of most A level courses. This section offers some broad advice on how to approach project work in Economics/Business Studies which involves the gathering of primary data from business organisations.

Coursework: some tips for improvement

• Contacting a firm; you will be more successful if you have a name to deal with so, initially:
  • Use your Careers Department
  • Use family friends
  • Use past students
  • Use Governors
  • Use Saturday job/work experience contacts
• Types of firms
  • Smaller firms are usually the most useful for coursework
  • Larger, dispersed firms may not have all the information you need locally
• The title
  • Keep it simple
  • It may be helpful to pose a question - 'Should...', 'How...'
  • Do not try to cover too much
  • Check suitability with teacher
• The topic
  • Check suitability with teacher and firm
  • You must make sure at the start that the information you want is available to you
  • It should not be assumed that firms will be ready to divulge profit figures or future marketing strategies
• Marking criteria
  • Make sure you have a copy of how your coursework will be marked
  • Aim to satisfy the requirements of the board and you will score highly (see below)
• Remember your syllabus
  • You should use the appropriate theory you have covered in your course to investigate a problem or situation
  • Try to cover as many relevant syllabus areas as possible
• Use of data
  • Put your project in context by using background data
  • Be selective in your data, do not include everything you've found, make sure it is relevant and fits your coursework objectives
  • Analyse your data; look for interrelationships and possible correlations in your data
• Presentation
  • Be clear and logical
  • Use diagrams, graphs and numbers as well as text
  • Some Boards use coursework as a means of assessing IT Skills in Business Studies at A level (see IT Skills)
• Evaluation
  • Having logically argued your case, you must come to a conclusion
  • Your conclusion should be based on the evidence you have presented
  • Include any limitations or wider issues implied

Possible marking criteria:

Knowledge and Comprehension 8 marks
Includes relevant material, focused clearly on the project objective, fully explained and presented appropriately (7-8 marks)

Application of Appropriate Method 8 marks
Clear evidence of relevant, valid research drawn from primary and secondary sources - showing strong grasp of theory and the ability to comment critically on the methods used (7-8 marks)

Analysis of Evidence 12 marks
Substantial analysis of the data applied selectively and appropriately to the project, showing judgement in the use of language and the choice of technique (11-12 marks)

Synthesis 8 marks
The project's structure is well thought through, making it easy to follow the logic, the communication and the recommendations, with evidence and arguments summarised (7-8 marks)

Evaluation 14 marks
Original conclusions drawn from the evidence, showing awareness of proximate and underlying themes and issues (12-14 marks)

Quality of Language 4 marks
Candidates express complex ideas extremely clearly and fluently. Sentences and paragraphs follow on from one another smoothly and logically. Arguments are consistently relevant and well structured. There are few, if any, errors of grammar, punctuation and spelling (4 marks)

N.B. Look carefully at your specification to see what the marking criteria for that specification are. To find the specifications look at the web sites for the individual examining boards - AQA, OCR and Edexcel.

In summary, the key to a successful project is careful planning - and remember to meet all deadlines!