Society and Culture Association
Personal Interest Projects
Introduction, Log & Conclusion extracts
Introduction
The introduction requires a brief description (no more than 500
words) of what the topic is about, why this topic was chosen and
in what ways it contributes to a better understanding of Society
and Culture. The choice of methodologies should be explained
and justified.
Log
The log should be based on the student’s Personal Interest
Project diary and will be a summary (no more than 500 words) of
the development of the final product, outlining the procedures
undertaken in researching the topic.
Conclusion
The conclusion requires a statement (no more than 500 words) of
what the student learnt from the Personal Interest Project.
Assessment and Reporting in Society and Culture, pages 10 - 11
Examples of Introductions
Topic choice
Sample 1
My Personal Interest Project is centred upon the depiction of
race and gender in Disney films and how it impacts on the
socialisation of young audiences. Upon visiting Disneyland – ‘the
happiest place on earth’ - when I was eleven, I became
fascinated with the level of acclaim, public interest and profit
Disney has continued to receive throughout its 86-year history.
Through undertaking my PIP I hope to uncover some reasons
behind its continuing (and seemingly ever-increasing) success. I
also seek to better understand the power of media in our lives,
its role in our socialisation process and how it has changed or
stayed the same in recent history.
Examples of Introductions
Methodologies
Sample 2
In order to effectively investigate this topic, I have decided to
undertake two research methodologies: a questionnaire and
participant observation. With these two instruments of
investigation I hope to receive accurate and detailed
information (both qualitative and quantitative) that will address
my PIP and further my knowledge on this subject. I feel the
disadvantages of some methodologies are alleviated by
conducting others.
Continued next slide…
Examples of Introductions
Methodologies
Sample 2 (cont…)
…A questionnaire is appropriate as it will allow me to gather
large amounts of data from both males and females within a
reasonably short period of time. Questionnaires also allow for
the responder to remain completely anonymous – enabling
more truthful results.
Participant observation was chosen as a methodology in order
to accurately understand how individuals interact with the
culture of MySpace, and to learn the practices and expectations
of this. Whilst participant observation can be seen by some as
unethical, I will attempt to ensure that no unethical practices
take place during the course of my research.
Examples of Introductions
Cross-cultural component
Sample 3
As the proclaimed leaders of tomorrow and at a ripe stage of
socialisation and self-discovery, I have focused on teenagers. I
will be looking into out perceptions about change, the power we
feel we have over our lives in the micro world and our ability to
create change in the world.
By choosing gender as the cross-cultural component I hope to
determine how much of a difference there is between the sexes
today in relation to power and authority, how they each believe
they can make change, which appears to be more subject to
social control. As a female, the remaining dominance of men in
the macro world, for example in government, is baffling so what
does the future hold?
Examples of Logs
Sample 1
I began drafting my Introduction and Chapter One, which
crystallized the need for further primary research: I had the
opinions of many educational experts, but none from students
themselves. To combat this, I conducted a focus group of Year 12
students. This formed a foundational basis on which to structure
Chapter Two, as my findings were especially pertinent to
socialization through education, and the current issues within the
education system.
Continued next slide…
Examples of Logs
Sample 1 (cont…)
It became clear, however, through the writing and editing of the
chapters, that although my focus group findings yielded
important information regarding the opinions of students, it was
necessary, in order to reduce bias, to seek the opinions of those
who had already graduated school, in order to utilize their
hindsight. Therefore, I circulated a questionnaire. Although
slightly disappointed at the 36% return rate, the surveys were
nevertheless infinitely helpful in triangulating my findings, and
reinforcing my PIP.
Examples of Logs
Sample 2
I originally planned to include content analysis as a
methodology, however found obtaining relevant texts from South
Africa was too great a challenge, and also that many of those
directed towards a white audience were in Afrikaans, a language I
never learnt. Thus I decided to focus on secondary research,
personal reflection, interview and questionnaire.
Continued next slide…
Examples of Logs
Sample 2 (cont…)
I expected the questionnaire to yield the least useful results due
to the challenge the questions posed to respondents. However, I
was surprised by the range of responses I received, and also by
their depth and honesty.
Unexpectedly, I found interviews to be the most challenging
methodology. I had difficulty finding people to interview, as my
topic focuses on a specific aspect of society. As well as finding for
myself the questions I actually wanted answered, what I was
hoping to show with those answers, and whether I was prepared
to show it, it was not until I started writing my chapters that I
found much of the information I had gained from my interviews
fitting into place.
Examples of Logs
Sample 3
November: Brainstormed my topic
Christmas holidays: Found it difficult to motivate myself because of my social life
March: Starting to panic because I went to the PIP day and I realised I haven’t done
much, so I did a survey.
April /May: My teacher asked me for a progress report and my diary and told me ways
to improve.
June: The deadline is near and I need to interview some people. Got some info from
the internet and printed it off.
Holidays: Started writing up my PIP
July: Handed a draft to my teacher
Examples of Conclusions
Sample 1
During my primary research I got involved with people in my
home town. Since moving to the city I had lost touch, but this
interaction changed my view of country life from being slow and
unstimulating to seeing all the positives. The infrastructure,
facilities, education, job opportunities and strength of
community I investigated were refreshing, however the
reconnection with relatives far outweighed any tangible
benefits.
Continued next slide…
Examples of Conclusions
Sample 1 (cont…)
I have learned to share the passion and loyalty my interviewees
expressed towards their country town, and as a result I feel as
though I have achieved my aim of overcoming superficial
prejudices of both the town and its people.
Although I understand the desire to gain more diverse life
experiences that Sydney has to offer, the PIP has opened my
eyes to the enriching experiences of a close and supportive
community that is my home town. As such, I would happily move
and raise a family in the place where my values and my attitudes
were established.
Examples of Conclusions
Sample 2
While media mythology continues to depict the homeless as a
single homogenous group, negative stereotypes will continue to
develop. Perhaps volunteers can seek to dispel this myth.
So, is volunteering a big issue? The analysis and synthesis of
primary and secondary research enabled me to gain a deeper
understanding of homelessness as a social issue.
Continued next slide…
Examples of Conclusions
Sample 2 (cont…)
I also have insight into the processes of motivation for
volunteerism and how this forms part of the volunteers own
socialisation process.
The personal experience of volunteering has been invaluable. I
started volunteering as a means to an end for my PIP but the
unmatched insight provided me with more empathy than any
other methodology could have ever revealed. It is for this reason
I will continue to volunteer to work with disenfranchised groups
in need of help, in the search for self actualisation.
Examples of Conclusions
Sample 3
The trauma caused by the Khmer Rouge has left many survivors
with life-lasting effects that I was not aware of until I completed
my interviews. I was so surprised by the extent to which it
impacted them psychologically. I noticed that these psychological
impacts were symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, that
many were not diagnosed with, due to traditional cultural
practises. The tyranny of time and life in refugee camps means a
few of my interviewees are still suffering severely from their
trauma.
Continued next slide…
Examples of Conclusions
Sample 3 (cont…)
The journey that I have travelled over the past year has been very
cathartic but equally as remarkable. Over the last few months in
particular, I have grown to sympathise with Cambodian refugees
to a greater degree because of the PIP process. Research
undertaken, the people I’ve met and the knowledge I’ve gained
has made this PIP a unique experience.
This is my heritage, my family and my identity.