PRINCPLES OF BUSINESS and PRINCIPLES OF ACCOUNTS - School Based
Assessment (SBA)
The project is marked out of 40 and worth a total of 20% of your overall mark. Students
doing more than one subject in the business group i.e POA & POB should submit ONE SBA
report that will be based on a topic relevant to the subjects being taken.
o SBA report must not exceed 1000 words.
o Report MUST be completed using:
Font style-Times New Roman
Font size-12
ORDER OF SBA REPORT
❖ Cover page
❖ Table of Contents
❖ Topic, Issue or Problem
❖ Objectives / Research Questions
❖ Background
❖ Methodology
❖ Presentation and Analysis of Data
❖ Conclusion
❖ Recommendations
❖ Bibliography
❖ Appendices: questionnaire, source documents, diagrams, charts, interview questions
and statistical data
COVER PAGE
Research Topic: An investigation into the availability of sources of capital for small business
in the Waterford Community
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Student Name: Tanisha Wellington
Business Cognate Subjects: Principles of business and Principles of Accounts
Centre Number: 120000
Candidate Number: 000000
Institution: Bridgeport High School
Territory: Jamaica
Name of Teacher: Ms. Dawlton
Year of Exam: 2021-2022
Table of Contents Table of contents accurately links pages to content (1 Mark)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Topic, issue or Problem………………………………… 1
Objective of the Project…………………………………..2
Background ………………………………………………3
Methodology ……………………………………………..4
Presentation and Analysis of Data
Conclusion
Recommendations
Bibliography
Appendices :
Topic/Issue/Problem MARK SCHEME (2 Marks)
Topic/issue/problem is clearly stated – 1 mark
Topic/issue/problem accurately describes the project – 1 mark
❑ The Research Topic is the broad subject matter area to be investigated. It must be :
✔ broad yet specific enough to narrow your research;
✔ for a specific period e.g. for the year 2018 OR a specific community OR
Organization
✔ clear and easy to understand.
✔ well defined to ensure that it does not convey other ideas
The Research Problem/ Topic : What is the specific issue you want to study and why does it
need attention?
E.g 1. An investigation into the availability of sources of capital for small business in the
Waterford Community
E.g. 2: The impact of unemployment in the Community of Greater Portmore
E.g. 3: How does the lack of proper accounting records affect S & M grocery store
Objectives / Research Questions MARK SCHEME (2 Marks)
✔ Objectives are clearly stated and linked to the topic/issue/problem – 1 mark
✔ Objectives are realistic – 1 mark
SAMPLE OBJECTIVE
Develop 2 to 3 Objectives these should be directly linked to topic/issue/problem
Objectives for topic1
1: To identify 4 sources of capital available for small businesses in the community of
Waterford.
2: To highlight 3 challenges faced by small businesses in accessing sources of capital.
Objectives for topic 2
1: To identify 3 reasons why residents in the community of Greater Portmore are
unemployment.
2: To highlight 3 impact/ challenges faced as a result of unemployment.
Objectives for topic 3
1:What are the benefits of having proper accounting records?
2: Does a lack of proper accounting records affects the firm negatively?
From the objectives develop NO MORE THAN 10 research questions.
▪ Questions must be clear, focused, concise.
▪ Must guide your data gathering.
Background MARK SCHEME (4 Marks)
Includes a description of the topic/issue/problem –
✔ Description includes the history – 1 mark
✔ Description includes the development – 1 mark
✔ Establishes the need for research - Why/how is the topic/issue/problem important to
student – 1 mark –
✔ Impact of topic/issue/problem on society – 1 mark
According to Gordon (2018), small business development dates as far back as the 1600s. It
has been said that it is important to support small businesses because they have a vital role to
play in generating growth in the Jamaican economy. As stated in the Jamaica Observer,
recent figures from the Companies Office of Jamaica show that there are approximately
300,000 registered small businesses. Small businesses contribute to local economies by
bringing growth and innovation to the community in which the business is established. Small
businesses also help stimulate economic growth by providing employment opportunities to
people who may not be employable by larger corporations. This study seeks determine to the
availability of sources of capital for small business in the Waterford Community. As a young
business minded individual I am interested in what this study will reveal as the findings will
guide my actions for my own business.
Methodology MARK SCHEME (10 Marks)
✔ Data collection instrument clearly described – 1–2 marks
✔ Data collection instrument appropriate for type of data – 1 mark
✔ Included at least two instruments of data collection – 1 mark
✔ Method of data collection clearly described – 1–2 marks
✔ Method of data collection adequately justified – 1–2 marks
✔ Limitations of data collection method clearly stated – 1–2 marks
To collect the appropriate data, an interview schedule – primary (Appendix 1) was designed
which included 6 questions. This instrument was used with both the owner and one of the
initial employees at pre-arranged interview times. Interviews were conducted to obtain
detailed insights about the expansion at Bright School Stationery Store (qualitative info).
Interviews allowed clarification of questions and responses. Final accounts, ledgers and
journals – secondary (Appendix 2) were used to gauge profitability before and after
expansion (quantitative info). One limitation of this process was that some interview
questions had to be supported by additional questions so as to obtain direct information
Presentation and Analysis of Data MARK SCHEME (10 Marks)
✔ Data is presented in appropriate form using tables, charts, graphs – 1–2 marks
✔ Data presented are relevant to the objectives of the project – 1–2 marks
✔ Data is adequately analysed – 1–2 marks
✔ Data is analysed using appropriate statistics – mean, median, mode – 1–2 marks
✔ Findings are consistent with analyses – 1–2 marks
● Restate research question
● Present data
● Analyze data
Conclusion MARK SCHEME (4 Marks)
✔ Conclusion succinctly summarizes the project – 1–2 marks
✔ Conclusion is logical and based on findings – 1–2 marks
Recommendations MARK SCHEME (4 Marks)
✔ Recommendations are realistic and informed by findings – 1–2 marks
✔ Recommendations contribute to a better understanding of the topic/issue/problem
–1–2 marks
References
Bibliography contains names of authors, name of publisher(s), names and dates of
publication, and are written in alphabetical order – 1 mark
Websites
Author, A. (date). Title of document [Format description]. Retrieved from http://xxxxxxxxx
Interviews
Informational interviews: If you have interviewed someone for information about your topic
and that person has agreed to be identified as a source, cite the source as a personal
communication (in text only):
G. Fink-Nottle, personal communication, April 5, 2011
Chicago Manual Example (book)
Last, First, M. Year Published. Book. City: Publisher,
ASSIGNMENTS AND DUE DATES
Cover page
Table of Contents
Topic, Issue or Problem, Research
Questions May 10, 2021
Objectives of the Project
Research questions-(Questionnaire Questions) May 28, 2021
Background June 25, 2021
Methodology
Presentation and Analysis of Data List September 2021
Recommendations September 2021
Conclusion
First Draft October 15, 2021
Final Draft November26, 2021
