{"id":57,"date":"2017-05-12T15:28:57","date_gmt":"2017-05-12T15:28:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.efolio.soton.ac.uk\/blog\/discoverneuroscience\/?page_id=57"},"modified":"2019-06-08T13:08:36","modified_gmt":"2019-06-08T12:08:36","slug":"project-guide","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/discoverneuroscience\/for-students\/project-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"EPQ Project Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva,sans-serif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-199 size-medium alignright\" src=\"http:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/discoverneuroscience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/329\/2017\/05\/anatomy-of-creative-project-guide-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/discoverneuroscience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/329\/2017\/05\/anatomy-of-creative-project-guide-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/discoverneuroscience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/329\/2017\/05\/anatomy-of-creative-project-guide.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva,sans-serif\">These pages aim to be a step by step guide to undertaking a successful research project.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva,sans-serif\"><a href=\"http:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/discoverneuroscience\/for-students\/project-guide\/step-1-developing-a-project\/\">Step 1 &#8211; Developing a Project Title<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva,sans-serif\"><a href=\"http:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/discoverneuroscience\/for-students\/project-guide\/step-2-designing-your-experiment\/\">Step 2 &#8211; Designing your <span class='tooltipsall tooltipsincontent classtoolTips14'>Experiment<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/discoverneuroscience\/for-students\/project-guide\/step-3-getting-into-the-lab\/\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva,sans-serif\">Step 3 &#8211; Getting into the lab!<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva,sans-serif\"><a href=\"http:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/discoverneuroscience\/for-students\/project-guide\/step-4-communicating-your-project\/\">Step 4 &#8211; Communicating your project<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-948  alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/discoverneuroscience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/329\/2017\/05\/brain-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"271\" height=\"271\" srcset=\"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/discoverneuroscience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/329\/2017\/05\/brain-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/discoverneuroscience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/329\/2017\/05\/brain-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/discoverneuroscience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/329\/2017\/05\/brain-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/discoverneuroscience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/329\/2017\/05\/brain.jpg 467w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 271px) 100vw, 271px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Here are five good reasons to do a project:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>It gives you freedom to do a piece of research on a subject \u2013 or a combination of subjects \u2013 you are really interested in.<\/li>\n<li>It can\u00a0help you decide whether you want to continue to work or study in your project area.<\/li>\n<li>It\u2019s a good example of independent working, which you can mention in interviews \u2013 for jobs, apprenticeships or university.<\/li>\n<li>If you are thinking of going to university, an EPQ gives you UCAS points and helps you to stand out from the crowd in university applications.<\/li>\n<li>It helps you develop the independent research and critical thinking skills that you will need at university.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>There are so many benefits to completing a project!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Researching a topic in science can help you develop new skills. \u00a0Leading your own investigation is a great way to get a taste of scientific research and to develop practical problem-solving skills.<\/p>\n<p>Designing your own <span class='tooltipsall tooltipsincontent classtoolTips14'>Experiment<\/span>, using new equipment, collecting and analysing your own <span class='tooltipsall tooltipsincontent classtoolTips22'>Data<\/span>, and testing your own <span class='tooltipsall tooltipsincontent classtoolTips13'>Hypothesis<\/span> are rewarding and motivating, as well as being fun! This will challenge you too \u2013 you will often need to seek guidance from experts, which can help you improve your communication and team-working skills.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a great chance to discover more than you\u2019ve learned in class. In fact, doing original research means you might be the first person to answer your research question \u2013 some students have even had work published in scientific publications.<\/p>\n<p>Many extended projects result in a dissertation. But they are also a fantastic chance for you to carry out a scientific investigation or to design and build something. It should take around 120 hours to complete an EPQ, similar to half an A level. This significant commitment gives you enough time to produce something really meaningful. Like an A level, an EPQ can be awarded any grade up to A*.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-244 size-medium alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/discoverneuroscience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/329\/2017\/05\/biology-group-photo-web-300x214.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"214\" srcset=\"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/discoverneuroscience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/329\/2017\/05\/biology-group-photo-web-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/discoverneuroscience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/329\/2017\/05\/biology-group-photo-web.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Take a look at what students at Peter Symonds Sixth Form College in Winchester have been involved in. Click\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=aF4JMFXjGE4\">here<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0to watch their video. \u00a0You can also read more about how they presented their scientific research at the Authentic Biology Symposium in London.<\/p>\n<h1><\/h1>\n<p>Find out about projects other students have undertaken:<\/p>\n<table style=\"height: 253px\" width=\"728\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/bigpictureeducation.com\/real-voices-interview-charlotte\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-225 size-medium aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/discoverneuroscience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/329\/2017\/05\/charlotte_portrait-2-300x289.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"289\" srcset=\"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/discoverneuroscience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/329\/2017\/05\/charlotte_portrait-2-300x289.png 300w, https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/discoverneuroscience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/329\/2017\/05\/charlotte_portrait-2.png 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/bigpictureeducation.com\/real-voices-interview-alice\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-229 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/discoverneuroscience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/329\/2017\/05\/Alice_portrait-1-e1500898349353.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"193\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/bigpictureeducation.com\/real-voices-interview-anita\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-227 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/discoverneuroscience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/329\/2017\/05\/anita_portrait-4-300x289.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"289\" srcset=\"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/discoverneuroscience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/329\/2017\/05\/anita_portrait-4-300x289.png 300w, https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/discoverneuroscience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/329\/2017\/05\/anita_portrait-4.png 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Meet Charlotte, who is now studying\u00a0Pharmacy.<\/td>\n<td>Meet Alice,\u00a0who is now studying\u00a0Biological Sciences.<\/td>\n<td>Meet Anita,\u00a0who is now studying\u00a0Biology and German.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"> toolTips('.classtoolTips3','The part of the nervous system responsible for control of the bodily functions not consciously directed, such as breathing, the heartbeat, and digestive processes.'); <\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> toolTips('.classtoolTips8','Any or all of the sciences, such as neurochemistry and experimental psychology, which deal with the structure or function of the nervous system and brain.'); <\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> toolTips('.classtoolTips13','A supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation.'); <\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> toolTips('.classtoolTips14','A scientific procedure undertaken to make a discovery, test a hypothesis, or demonstrate a known fact.'); <\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> toolTips('.classtoolTips22','<span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif\">Facts and statistics collected together for reference or analysis.<\/span>'); <\/script>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>These pages aim to be a step by step guide to undertaking a successful research project. Step 1 &#8211; Developing a Project Title Step 2 &#8211; Designing your Experiment Step 3 &#8211; Getting into the lab! Step 4 &#8211; Communicating your project Here are five good reasons to do a &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3738,"featured_media":0,"parent":13,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-57","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/discoverneuroscience\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/57","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/discoverneuroscience\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/discoverneuroscience\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/discoverneuroscience\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3738"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/discoverneuroscience\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=57"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/discoverneuroscience\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/57\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1212,"href":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/discoverneuroscience\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/57\/revisions\/1212"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/discoverneuroscience\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/discoverneuroscience\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=57"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}