1.0 Introduction to the controlled assessment

Worksheet

Lesson Objectives

• To be able to understand the controlled assessment and what is required for AQA GCSE Business studies

• To be able to create a front sheet for the report

Starter

• What do you think the “E” in e-commerce stands for?

1. Electronic

2. Electric

3. Electronically

4. Elephant

5. Economic

THE SCENARIO

Read the controlled assessment Scenario…

• You are an independent researcher

you have been asked to investigate how e-commerce might improve a small business. You are required to write a report that explains how e-commerce can improve the performance of a small business…

• Lets start by defining some terms…

Key term: independent researcher

• A researcher is a person who’s job is to find out information for anyone who pays them

• An independent researcher is one that does NOT work for the business directly but is employed to find out information for them

Key term: investigate

• To carry out research or study to find out the facts about a topic

Key term: e-commerce

• Any form of business activity conducted electronically which can include:

• Some examples include:

- online advertising

- online auctions

- online bookings

- online purchases

PHASES OF THE REPORT

Your controlled assessment report has 3 phases:

PREPARATION PHASE

You have some preparation time before the assessment starts. This will allow you to become familiar with the business theory you need to complete your report

RESEARCH PHASE

You have time to research your report

WRITE-UP PHASE

You have 3 hours to write up your report

Preparation phase

You will be taking part in some teacher led

activities to help you understand what you will be doing over the next few weeks

Your teacher will show you methods of working

Your teacher will explain the project in more detail

You will need to start making notes and keep them together in a folder

Research Phase

You can spend time researching your project, this may include;

Observation - Visiting a local business such and making some notes or speaking to the owner while you are there

The Internet - carry out website searches

Completing paper-based research questionnaires - ask questions of your friends, family or local business owners

Creating audio and video files (record an interview)

Writing up phase

You get 3 hours to:

• Write up your final report in controlled conditions

• The three hours may be split over a number of sessions

• There is extra time to print and assemble the report before you hand it in to your teacher

During this phase do

you think your teacher

can give you feedback

about your report?

YES / NO

Write up phase

AQA gives you 3 hours of formal supervision in exam conditions to write up your report

This means you will be sitting in a computer room in silence during that time

You will be using all the information from your notes in your folder to write your final report

You cannot get any help from your teacher during this phase

Student scheme of workWeek Lesson 1 Lesson 2 Phase

1 Preparation Phase

2 Preparation Phase

3 Research Phase

4 Research Phase

5 Research Phase

6 Research Phase

7 Research Phase

8 Write- up Phase

9 Write- up Phase

10 Write- up Phase

11 Hand in week

THE REPORT

Report…

• You are required to write a report in which you identify and analyse the e-commerce the business is using at the moment and recommend which types of e-commerce would be the best to help the business improve its performance

• Your report will need to have sections, a front cover and a series of appendices

Next a practical activity…

• You may need a computer BUT you could also complete the activity on the next slide by drawing…

Practical task

• Create the front sheet for your report – change the details for your own and choose a suitable image

• This information will also need to appear as a footer on every sheet you produce for your report

Flow chart of the report

The flow chart will help you to see where you are with your report

It may be useful for you to create a spreadsheet with all the sections so you know where you are each week

Appendices

You will need to put all your evidence in the back of your report.

This will include all your charts, graphs and report findings

There is a PowerPoint to help you create your appendices, but for now keep them together in your folder

What happens after you hand in the report?

• There are no second chances or re-edits

• Work is then marked by your teacher

• Your reports are then standardised and moderated

• This can take months so you may not get your grade for a while

• Your teacher cannot tell you your grade until work has been moderated by someone from AQA

1) How many hours do you have in the writing up phase?

2) Can your teacher give you any feedback during the writing up phase? Yes / No

3) What happens after you hand in your report?4) Appendices go at the front of your report? Yes /

No5) Do you have to include your candidate name

and number on every sheet in your report? Yes / No

1) 3 hours

2) No

3) Your report will be marked and then moderated which could take a long time

4) No they go at the back

5) Yes

Glossary

• Appendices; Any charts graphs, leaflets or other information that is included in a report to support the main findings

• Independent researcher; Any person who is employed by a business on a contract-by-contract basis to carry out research for the company

• E-commerce; Any business which is conducted electronically (the e stands for electronic)