STUDY SKILLS

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

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

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