MPU 1223 : STUDY SKILLS

ASSIGNMENT GUIDELINE

RESEARCH: SOCIAL ISSUES

1.0 GROUP ASSIGNMENT

1.1 Student must form a group of 7 and prepare a group work assignment.
1.2 Each group must assign 1 group leader to conduct assignment division.
1.2.1 When issues/ problems regarding disciplinary and non-cooperative matters
arises among group members, group leaders are expected to take the lead
role in intervening and correcting the problem. Should there be any major
issues arise, please highlight to the lecturer BEFORE submitting the end
report.
1.3 For this assignment, students must conduct a basic quantitative research survey based
from the topic chosen.
1.3.1 The choices for research topics are:
1.3.1.1 Prostitution
1.3.1.2 Babies and children trafficking
1.3.1.3 Abortion & Baby Dumping
1.3.1.4 Pre-marital sex
1.3.1.5 Illegal loan sharks (Ah Long)
1.3.1.6 Discrimination
1.3.1.7 Illegal Races
1.3.1.8 Bully
1.3.1.9 Depression among students
1.3.1.10 Drugs abuse among students

2.0 GROUP PRESENTATION- POSTER PRESENTATION SEMINAR

2.1 The group presentation will start on WEEK 13 and WEEK 14. There will be 5
presentations per day.
2.2 Each group must present their research in a form of poster presentation.
2.3 Poster criteria are as follows:
2.3.1 General aim and format
2.3.1.1 A poster is a graphically based approach to presenting research. In
presenting your research with a poster, you should aim to use the
poster as a means for generating active discussion of the research.
2.3.1.2 Limit the text to about one-fourth of the poster space, and use
"visuals" (graphs, photographs, schematics, maps, etc.) to tell your
"story."
2.3.2 Design and layout specifications
2.3.2.1 The entire poster must be mounted in an A1 sized poster area. The
poster does not necessarily have to fill the entire working area.
 2.3.2.2 A banner displaying your poster title, name, and subject should be
positioned at top-center of the board.
2.3.2.3 Make it obvious to the viewer how to progressively view the poster.
The poster generally should read from left to right, and top to
bottom. Numbering the individuals panels, or connecting them with
arrows is a standard "guidance system".
2.3.3 Lettering
2.3.3.1 Word-process all text (including captions). Print on plain white
paper with a laser printer or inkjet printer.
2.3.3.2 Text should be readable from five feet away. Use a minimum font
size of 18 points.
2.3.3.3 Lettering for the title should be large (at least 70-point font). Use all
capital letters for the title.
2.3.4 Visuals
2.3.4.1 Present numerical data in the form of graphs, rather then tables
(graphs make trends in the data much more evident). If data must be
presented in table-form, KEEP IT SIMPLE.
2.3.4.2 Visuals should be simple and bold. Leave out or remove any
unnecessary details.
2.3.4.3 Make sure that any visual can "stand alone" (i. e., graph axes are
properly labeled, maps have north arrows and distance scales,
symbols are explained, etc.).
2.3.4.4 Use color to enhance comprehension, not to decorate the poster.
Neatly coloring black-line illustrations with color pencils is entirely
acceptable.
2.3.4.5 Make sure that the text and the visuals are integrated. Figures should
be numbered consecutively according to the order in which the are
first mentioned in the text.
2.3.4.6 Each visual should have a brief title (for example: Figure 1-
Location of study area).
2.3.5 Text
2.3.5.1 Keep the text brief. Blocks of text should not exceed three
paragraphs (viewers won't bother to read more than that). Use text
to (a) introduce the study (what hypothesis was tested or what
problem was investigated? why was the study worth doing?), (b)
explain visuals and direct viewers attention to significant data trends
and relationships portrayed in the visuals, and (c) state and explain
the interpretations that follow from the data. In many cases,
conclusions can be summarized in a bullet-point list.
2.3.5.2 Depending upon the stage or nature of your project, the text could
also include sections on future research plans or questions for
discussion with viewers.
 2.3.5.3 Cite and reference any sources of information other than your own,
just as you would do with a research paper. Ask your professor about
the particular citation system that you should use (every discipline
uses slightly different styles). The "References Cited" is placed at
the end of the poster.
2.3.6 Miscellaneous Suggestions
2.3.6.1 SIMPLICITY IS THE KEY. Keep to the point, and don't try to cover
too many things. Present only enough data to support your
conclusions. On the other hand, make sure that you present
sufficient data to support your conclusions.
2.3.6.2 When you begin to make your poster, first create a list of the visuals
that you would use if you were describing your project with only the
visuals. Write the text after you have created the list of visuals.
2.3.6.3 Mat the components of the poster on separate pieces of colored
poster board. This sets-off the text and illustrations from the white
mounting board. Also, you can easily attach each component to the
mounting board with push-pins or thumb-tacks.
2.3.6.4 Before the poster session, rehearse a brief summary of your project.
Many viewers will be in a hurry and will want a quick "guided tour"
of your poster. Don't be afraid to point out uncertainties in your
work; this is where you may get useful feedback.
2.4 The estimated time for each presentation is 15 minutes (10minutes presentation and 5
minutes of Q&A session).
2.5 The objectives of the presentation are to share the learning experience with the rest of
the class (each group will come up with various ideas, so there are a lot to share for our
guidance and experience).
2.6 The presentation will contribute 10% of overall coursework.
3.0 GROUP REPORT
3.1 Student must submit a report in a form of academic write-up format.
3.1.1 Each report must be written in Arial (11), or Times New Roman (12) Font
only.
3.1.2 Reports must be in a form of academic writing, written reports are to be
around 10-15 pages in length; proper use of citations, footnote are to be
observed;
3.1.3 Each report should include FIVE major sections: the Title Page, Content
Page, Main Body, References and Attachment.
3.1.4 Plagiarism & the culture of “cut and paste”: This is a serious academic
offence and breach of it would not be tolerated. This offence would have no
room for negotiation.
3.2 INTRODUCTION/ BACKGROUND:
3.2.1 Details about the issue and statistical report (if applicable). A proper
citation, referencing and footnote/end note is expected.
3.3 BODY/ CONTENT:
3.3.1 RESEARCH/ SURVEY – Conduct a survey of minimum 50 respondents
and analyze the survey. You must draft the survey question in your activity
book and consult the lecturer for any issues regarding the survey question.
Please draft only close-ended (objective) questions. A minimum number of
questions are 7 (excluding demographic factors of the respondent, e.i. Age,
Race, Gender, etc).
3.3.2 RESEARCH ANALYSIS – Research analysis should cover the
background of the respondents, CAUSES and EFFECTS of the issue (if
any). Respondents should come from multiple backgrounds level (all races,
males and females, age range of 18 to 40 years old, etc.).
3.3.3 Report should contain the in-depth study of the topic, statistical reports and
research analysis.
3.4 CONCLUSION
3.4.1 Conclusion to summarize the issue.
3.4.2 The report will contribute 20% of overall coursework.

4.0 MARKING
4.1 A total of 30% from overall students’ evaluation is allocated for this assignment.
4.2 Students are encouraged to participate cooperatively with the rest of group members in
order to get fair marks.

5.0 SUBMISSION
5.1 Each group must submit only ONE (1) written report per group only. Please follow the
assignment cover format accordingly.
5.2 Due date of submission is on FRIDAY, 14th July 2017 before 5pm. Any submission
later than stated time & date will have their mark deducted (1mark/Day).