School-Based Assessment

A research paper of approximately 1,500 words, (exclusive of appendices and footnotes) based on any
topic covered in any of the three (3) Modules of the Unit, will be required.

Research Paper – Paper 031

1. Requirements

The research paper presents an opportunity for students to demonstrate the accomplishment of
the skills referred to on page 2 of the syllabus. Specifically, in the research paper, the student
will be required to:

(a) identify an issue in the community;

(b) analyse the law relating to that issue;

(c) apply the relevant legal principles to the issue in the community by using analytical and
problem-solving skills;

(d) demonstrate a sound understanding of the legal issues and concepts;

(e) synthesise the legal issues and debates related to the topic being studied; and,

(f) where appropriate, make suggestions for reform.

Primary Sources of Data

Candidates should use primary sources of data in their research activities. These include
legislation treaties and cases. Information gathered through questionnaires, and face-to-face
interviews may also be used.

Secondary Sources of Data

Secondary sources of data may also be used. These may include text books, law journals,
newspapers, professional law journals, law commission reports or other legal reports and
documentation on cases studied.

2. The aims of the research project are to:

(a) promote self-learning;

(b) allow teachers the opportunity to engage in the formative assessment of their students;
 (c) allow students to enhance their understanding of the nature of law through local
studies; and,

(d) allow students to explore more fully some areas of the Unit that may not be assessed
adequately in an external examination.

3. Management of the Research Paper

The candidate must

(a) write a proposal as early as possible.

(b) prepare a timetable showing tasks to be completed during the eight
month period.
(c) acknowledge all sources used throughout the research paper by using
appropriate references using OSCOLA. See the following link for further
guidance

(https://www.law.ox.ac.uk/sites/files/oxlaw/oscola_4th_edn_hart_2012.pdf)

(d) submit aspects of the research paper according to the timetable agreed to
along with the teacher.

4. Guidance to Teachers

(a) Advise students on the areas suitable for investigation.

(b) Assist in the refinement of the topic. The topic must: (i) fall within the scope of the Unit;
(ii) be related to an issue affecting the community; (iii) must be capable of being
resolved by law (either by existing law, or by law reform).

(c) Assist students in identifying and formulating the aims and objectives of the research.
 (d) Approve research proposal and timetable for completion.

(e) Advise students on most suitable legal resources to be used.

(f) Devise appropriate strategies to monitor student progress during the eight-month
period

(g) Employ appropriate strategies to establish the authenticity of the work submitted by the
student. These techniques may include

● oral questioning
● in class presentations
● ongoing review of the student’s work
● having students summarising and presenting findings from both primary and secondary
sources of data.

5. Presentation and Assessment

The research paper should be submitted online and bear the candidates’ numbers, name of
subject (Unit indicated) and the date submitted.

The format for the presentation of the research report and the marks for each component are
given in the table below.

Section Marks

(a) Title and table of contents

(b) Description of research 4

problem/issue
- Statement of the law
 (a) Aims and objectives 4

(b) Description of methodology 3

employed

(a) Presentation of Findings 4

(b) Discussion of findings — analysis of 6

applicable legal principles/data

(c) Conclusions and recommendations 4

(where appropriate)

(d) Referencing 3

MARK SCHEME FOR SCHOOL-BASED ASSESSMENT

Total marks awarded for the SBA report is 30. Teachers must ensure strict adherence to the guidelines
stated in the following criteria for marking to guarantee reliability of the mark.

DETAILED CRITERIA AND MARK SCHEME

The candidate should be able to select and present an investigation into a specific legal issue using
appropriate legal concepts, principles and theories.

ABILITIES COMPONENT MARKS

2
TITLE/TABLE OF CONTENTS

The candidate use table of contents to ● Title of research relates to the objectives in the syllabus and 2
indicate the organization of the to the investigation, is clearly stated and table of contents is
research report. logically laid out.

● Title of research relates to the objectives in the syllabus and 1

to the investigation, is clearly stated but table of contents is
missing.
 ● Research is outside the scope of the syllabus but table of 1
contents is included.

● Research is outside the scope of the syllabus and there is no

table of contents 0

4
DESCRIPTION OF RESEARCH PROBLEM/ISSUE: STATEMENT OF THE LAW

The problem statement is a clearly stated guide to the research that

The candidate 4
logically and coherently connects all the different parts of the
(a) selects a relevant legal issue investigations clearly indicates its importance connects naturally to
within the scope of the syllabus the relevant law.
(b) Narrows the topic to a problem
Problem statement and relevant law are clearly stated, connection
(c) Outlines the law relating to the 3
made to the research but the importance of the investigation is not
problem.
obvious.
(d) Establishes the importance of
investigating the problem. Problem statement and relevant law are stated but connection to 2
the research and the importance of the investigation are not
(e) Proposes a possible solution. obvious.

Problem statement and relevant law are stated but there is no 1

connection to the rest of the investigation.

No attempt at a problem statement. 0

3
DESCRIPTION OF METHODOLOGY

The candidate selects and employs ● The research methodology is clearly described realistic in its 3
appropriate method and procedures in scope, and appropriate for the study.
conducting the research.
● The research methodology appropriate for the study but is not 2
clearly described.

● The research design is very limited in its scope, inappropriate 1

for the study.

4
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The candidate narrows the topic to ● Aims/ objectives are relevant, clearly defined and 4
clearly defined, focused help to focus the topic.
aims/objectives

● Aims/ objectives are somewhat relevant, defined

and narrow the topic. 3

● Aims/ objectives somewhat relevant not clearly 2

defined.
1
 ● Aims/ objectives are not relevant.

4
PRESENTATION OF FINDINGS

The candidate has presented legal ● Findings are comprehensive, clear and accurate, and 4
information using appropriate forms of presented using forms that are appropriate to the research
presentation. problem

● Findings are comprehensive, clear and accurate, and forms 3

of presentation are somewhat appropriate to the research
problem

● Findings are presented using forms that are somewhat 2

appropriate to the research problem

● Findings are poorly presented with several inaccuracies, and 1

forms are mostly inappropriate.

DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS — ANALYSIS OF APPLICABLE LEGAL PRINCIPLES/DATA 6

The candidate Discussion is comprehensive, coherent, accounts for the findings
and makes links to existing law/legal theories while outlining the 5-6
● Interprets the findings and explain impact of the limitations on the investigations.
how they relate to existing body of
information. Discussion is a coherent, accounts of the findings and relates them
to the law/legal theories. 3-4
● Recognises the limitations of the
investigation and it impact on the Discussion accounts of the findings and relates them to the
findings. law/legal theories but lack coherence. 2

● Relates findings to the law and or

legal theories. Discussion is limited and is not coherent.
1

4
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The candidate presents conclusions ● Conclusions are sound, plausible and based on the findings of 3-4
that are based on the findings and the research. Recommendations relate to the conclusion
make sound recommendations. drawn.

● Conclusions are sound but are not entirely supported by the 2

findings of the research.

● Conclusions are flawed and not based on the findings of the 1

research.
 REFERENCING 3
The candidate has prepared ● Referencing is consistently and accurately done and 3
acknowledges all sources of bibliography is well organised, in appropriate format and
information using an internationally includes all relevant details
accepted format
∙ Bibliography is fairly well organised, in appropriate format 2
and includes some relevant details

∙ Bibliography is poorly organised, format is not appropriate 1

TOTAL 30