Can you explain how you ensured that you were using appropriate academic resources?
I ensured I was using appropriate academic resources by prioritising peer-reviewed articles and credible websites from recognised institutions.
I evaluated each source’s reliability and bias This helped ensure my EPQ was built on accurate, trustworthy evidence.
“Explain how you ensured that your EPQ was reflective and analytical?”
by consistently evaluating my decisions, methods, and sources throughout the project, explaining not just what I did but why I did it.
I compared the strengths and limitations of my research, and added mini analytic conclusions at the end of each section which helped me draw analysis from the entire essay to synthesise a detailed conclusion.
“What was your biggest barrier to producing a reflective and analytical essay and how did you overcome this?”
I did not move beyond describing what I had done. I also did not add mini conclusions so apart from my conclusion, it lacked consistent analysis.
To overcome this, I made a conscious effort to pause after each section of my EPQ, evaluate my choices, and question how they affected my progress. As well as analyse my work to conclude each section .
“Explain how you overcame barriers to completion of the EPQ?”
I overcame barriers such as time management and personal disruptions by making, more realistic schedule and breaking tasks into smaller goals so I could make steady progress even during busy times.
I also used my supervisors feedback to help me create a structured but flexible approach to help me stay on track.
“What were the main pinch points in the year and consider how these set you back in your overall goals”
The main pinch points in the year were periods of heavy workload from other subjects such as mocks and other academic disruptions such as ucat revision, both of which made it difficult to give the EPQ consistent attention.
These moments often slowed my progress, caused delays in research or writing, and forced me to adjust my original timeline. As a result, I had to re-prioritise tasks and work more efficiently to stay aligned with my overall goals.
“Did you stick to your initial aims and objectives?”
Overall yes i did stick to my initial aims and objectives after evaluating different possibilities of a title. I was adviced by my supervisor early on that my essay title was not specific enough and covers a broad scope so would be hard to explore and reach a analytical conclusion.
However during my mock exams and exams for university in the summer, my aims to meet personal deadlines were not fulfilled. So i made sure they were achieved as soon as i could.
“Explain how you would do one thing differently if you had your time again”
If I had my time again, I would defintley work more efficiently at the beginning of year 12 to complete my essay more promptly. Because I hadn’t used my time as well as i could, this meant that disruption duing the summer months delayed my completion of the project. If I had started earlier, I would not have faced these disruptions and my essay would have met my personal deadlines which would have gave me more oppurtunities to gain feedback on my essay.
