Achieving Top Marks in EPQ: Guide to Choosing, Researching, and Presenting

The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is your chance to really dive deep into a topic that fascinates you, beyond the confines of the A-Level syllabus. Think of it as a bridge between A-Levels and university-style independent research. It’s a fantastic opportunity to explore something you're passionate about, develop crucial academic skills, and boost your UCAS application. This guide is especially aimed at those of you considering a scientific EPQ - perhaps something like I did, focusing on genetic engineering.

Why Choose the EPQ?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let's quickly cover why doing an EPQ is a brilliant idea:

• University Preparation: The EPQ mirrors the kind of independent research and essay writing you'll encounter at university. It's a chance to get a head start and develop skills in research, analysis, and critical thinking.
• Personal Development: You'll learn how to manage your time, work independently, and solve problems alongside your studies - all essential skills for academic and professional success.
• Stand Out: A well-executed EPQ can make your UCAS application stand out from the crowd. It demonstrates your passion, initiative, and ability to go above and beyond. You won’t have your grade yet by the time it comes around to personal statement writing and admissions interviews, but it demonstrates a commitment to your field and provides great opportunity for reflection.
• Explore Your Interests: The EPQ allows you to delve into a topic you genuinely care about, which can be rewarding and inspiring.

Choosing an EPQ Topic

For budding scientists, the possibilities are endless. The key is to find a topic that is both interesting to you and manageable within the EPQ timeframe. Here are some tips for choosing a suitable topic:

• Start with Your Interests: What areas of science genuinely excite you? Genetics? Astrophysics? Environmental science? Let your passion guide you. A good place to start might be by reading some books and papers in your field of choice. Researchers will often write a ‘future outlooks’ section in their work, detailing the further research required around a topic - this might inspire something!
• Consider the Scope: Avoid topics that are too broad or too narrow. A topic like "Genetic Engineering" is very wide, whilst something like "The use of CRISPR-Cas9 to cure one specific rare disease" might be too narrow. "The ethics of gene editing" offers a good balance, as it allows for broad exploration of different perspectives.
• Assess Available Resources: Can you access enough reliable information on your chosen topic? This might involve books, scientific journals, online databases, and even experts in the field. Make sure you check if your school provides free access to certain online journals.
• Think About Primary Research (Optional, but impressive): Could you conduct your own primary research, such as a survey, experiment, or case study? This isn't always necessary, but it can add a unique dimension to your project and opens doorways for extra marks.
• Seek Advice: Talk to your teachers or mentors for guidance and feedback on your topic ideas.

Structuring Your Paper

A well-structured paper is crucial for a high-scoring EPQ. Here's a general template you can adapt:

1. Introduction:
   • Clearly state your research question or aim.
   • Provide background information on your topic to set the scene.
   • Explain why your topic is important or relevant.
   • Outline the scope of your project and your research methods.
2. Literature Review:
   • Summarise and analyse existing research on your topic.
   • Identify key themes, debates, and gaps in knowledge.
   • Show how your project builds upon or contributes to existing research.
3. Methodology (If Applicable):
   • Describe your research methods in detail (e.g., survey design, experimental procedures, data analysis techniques).
   • Justify your chosen methods and explain any limitations (evaluation is key!). Ensure this section is clear and replicable.
4. Results (If Applicable):
   • Present your findings in a clear and objective manner.
   • Use tables, graphs, and figures to illustrate your data.
   • Avoid interpreting your results at this stage - simply present the facts.
5. Discussion:
   • Interpret your findings in light of existing research.
   • Discuss the implications of your results and their significance.
   • Address any limitations of your study and suggest areas for future research.
6. Conclusion:
   • Summarise your key findings and conclusions.
   • Reiterate the importance of your research.
   • Reflect on what you have learned throughout the project.
7. Bibliography:
   • List all the sources you have cited in your paper using a consistent referencing style (e.g., Harvard, APA - check if your exam board has a specified one they would like you to use).

Top Tips for Top Marks!

• Maintain a Research Log: Keep a detailed record of your research process, including sources consulted, notes taken, and challenges encountered. This will be invaluable when writing your paper and reflecting on your project.
• Critically Evaluate Sources: Not all sources are created equal. Be sure to evaluate the credibility and reliability of your sources before using them in your paper. Look for peer-reviewed journals, reputable organisations, and expert opinions. Reference tools like MyBib can also be helpful in providing a quick analysis of whether a source is reputable.
• Analyse and Interpret: Don't just summarise what you've read - analyse it, interpret it, and draw your own conclusions. Show that you've thought critically about the topic.
  Use Precise Language: Avoid vague or ambiguous language. Be clear and specific in your writing, especially when describing scientific concepts and processes.
• Proofread Carefully: Before submitting your paper, proofread it carefully for any errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Ask a friend or teacher to proofread it as well.
• Surveys: As in my project, surveys of peers can be really useful for gathering information on more human, ethical issues and to show that you have done something primary as well as secondary.
• Reference as you go along: I cannot stress enough how important this is. It will make your life a million times easier if you use a bibliography tool to keep track of all your citations and insert them as you write. This will save you so much time at the end!

Delivering a Killer EPQ Presentation

The presentation is your chance to showcase your hard work and passion for your topic. Here are some tips for delivering a memorable presentation:

• Keep it Concise: Focus on the key points of your project and avoid overwhelming your audience with too much detail. Remember, you had months to work on it, they are only hearing about it for a few minutes.
• Visual Aids: Use slides with clear headings, bullet points, and images to illustrate your points. Avoid dense blocks of text - this will distract your audience!
• Practice, Practice, Practice: Rehearse your presentation multiple times to ensure you are confident and comfortable with the material. Try it in front of several different people and ask for feedback.
• Engage Your Audience: Make eye contact, use a clear and enthusiastic tone, and encourage questions from the audience.
• Anticipate Questions: Think about what questions your audience might ask and prepare your answers in advance. This avoids you getting put on the spot!
  Reflections on Presentation Slides

When creating my presentation on the ethics of gene editing, I found it helpful to:

• Visualise the Ethical Dilemmas: I used images and diagrams to illustrate the potential benefits and risks of gene editing. For example, I included a slide showing how CRISPR technology works and another outlining the potential applications of gene editing in treating genetic diseases.
• Summarise Key Arguments: I created slides that summarised the main arguments for and against gene editing, drawing on my research and survey data. The fewer words the better!
• Present Survey Results Clearly: I used charts and graphs to present the results of my survey, highlighting key trends and opinions.
• Engage with Counterarguments: I dedicated slides to addressing common counterarguments to my position, showing that I had considered different perspectives and evaluated the existing literature.

A key thing I did was use one slide dedicated to explicitly stating whether I had successfully fulfilled my initial aims of the project - this is really important to make clear to the audience! This shows that you have reflected and kept your research log in mind.

Final Thoughts

The EPQ is a fantastic opportunity to develop your academic skills, explore your passions, and boost your university application. By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to mastering it and achieving a high-scoring project. Good luck, and happy researching!