EPQ ideas shortlist and evaluation

EPQ ideas shortlist and evaluation

1. Idea three- Personality types compared with intelligence

   • Positives
     • I am very interested in this topic so would enjoy doing the project
     • I already have prior knowledge about personality types and some of the psychology behind them
     • I could do my own research in school
     • Lots of resources and information is available
   • Negatives
     • Not directly associated with medicine
     • The information and secondary research available may not be in the correct format for the project I want to complete

2. Idea two - Food allergies

   • Negatives
     • Harder to write an extended essay
     • Has only recently become well known - May be limited research and recent information available
     • My own personal experience with food allergies may create bias within my essay
   • Positives
     • Area that personally affects me so I have a lot of prior knowledge and interest
     • Lots of areas to explore
       • Biochemistry side of food allergies
       • Companies market exploitation
       • Food trends impact
       • Diagnoses in children
     • Can be linked to medicine

3. Idea one - mental health and the media

   • Positives
     • Mental health is an area that i find interesting
     • Links to medicine and psychology (so includes two of my favourite areas
     • Lots of research available
     • 'Hot topic' So is an area that is currently talked about alot in the news and media
     • Can perform my own research in school easily
   • Negatives
     • Completely essay based
     • I may struggle to do my own research into the topic e.g. create unbiased surveys (it is a sensitive topic)
     • Popular topic - could be overused
     • Information could be biased if it is supplied by media companies

4. Idea five - Chemistry of baking

   • Positives
     • Links to chemistry and baking - two areas I love
     • I could do my own research in school with science teachers / students compared with food and nutrition teachers / students
   • Negatives
     • Not associated with medicine
     • There may not be a lot of research available online / in books as it is a less well-known research area

5. Idea four - Alternative medicines

   • Positives
     • A controversial area so there is plenty to discuss
     • Lots of information available
     • Associated with medicine
     • I could do my own research in school
   • Negatives
     • Not all research is valid (some is biased and incorrect / incorrectly carried out)
     • Most people have an opinion but it is not based around fact making any research I could do immediately biased
     • Tends to be seen as inferior to medicine