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Individual Project: Critical Analysis (Applied Research Project)
The submitted project should be approximately 3500 words in length. Students should work within the parameters of this project. A project significantly under length will be penalised and material that exceeds the stipulated length shall be disregarded.
The Applied Research Project will take the form of a structured report on the results of investigative research into the work of:

an individual artist, performance group or theoretician in drama
a specific dramatic text or production
a theatre arts body
a critical or technical issue in drama or theatre

The project must be based on a specific research hypothesis, clearly articulated in the rationale, and must present the results of the research in a way that clearly addresses the hypothesis. It should include, in separately titles sections:

a 300-word rationale outlining the approach that has been taken. It should be an explanation of the overall intention of the work. This includes the approach taken and the reasons leading to eventual decisions
an outline of the hypothesis
a survey of the area of study, based on background research (including reading, diagrams, interviews and/or practical work as appropriate) showing how the hypothesis arises from questions raised by that research
a description of the research tasks undertaken and a summary of the information collected
an analytical discussion of the results
a conclusion referring to the original hypothesis

Criteria for examining Individual Project: Critical Analysis (Applied Research Project)

Clarity, flair and originality of the project
Evidence of appropriate research
Skill in applying knowledge and understanding to develop and support the proposal
Concise and effective organization and presentation of material

Skill in analysing the results.

1998 Exam Report:
Research
General Comments
Students covered a variety of topics and in general displayed sophisticated research and analysis
skills. Over the past few years, students’ access to information has been made far easier through
the Internet, e-mails and fax. The interesting development is whether such information can be
harnessed in search of an achievable position. It must be strongly stressed that teachers must
advise students not to undertake any project that is connected with any topic area in Content
Areas 4 and 5. This prohibition applies even if the student will not answer a question in the
written exam paper on the area of their project. The guidelines are very specific and it was
disappointing to note that six students submitted projects on areas covered by the exam. It is
most important that, with the changeover of topics and texts in 1999, teachers are vigilant in
guiding students into the right topics.
Recommendations
It is recommended that candidates should:
• adhere to the following format: The Abstract or Proposition, followed by the Body of
the Project, then the Conclusion, followed by the Bibliography and any Appendices
• be aware that references should be accurately footnoted throughout
• be advised that if projects are significantly under or over the 3500-words limit, they will
be penalised
• present typed submissions in size 12 font, double-spaced
• be aware that it is crucial to formulate an appropriate abstract – one that is neither too
broad nor too narrow
• avoid making references to film and television unless they have a strong connection to
the theatre
• avoid straight biographies of artists. Abstracts should be framed in terms of measuring
the contribution of the artist to the respective aspect of drama or theatre.

Checklist for Research Report
The checklist below sets out the mandatory requirements for this project as published in the
Creative Arts Stage 6 KLA Handbook.
• The Individual Project: Critical Analysis-Research Report may deal with a form, style,
movement or tradition of drama, with the work of an individual creative artist,
performance group or theoretician, or with a critical or technical issue.
• This report should be the result of the student’s independent research of the chosen area.
• The research may involve document research or other research methods where appropriate.
• The submitted report should be approximately 3500 words in length.
• The research report may not duplicate the work covered by the student in Content Areas
4 and 5, or work being covered in any other subject being studied for the Higher School
Certificate Examination.
Strong Candidates
• Provided a well articulated and developed proposal.
• Made a strong, substantiated use of a variety of resources.
• Wrote in formal register expected of a research paper.
Middle-range Candidates
• Adhered to a mostly descriptive approach to their topic, providing little or inconsistent
analysis.
• Based projects on proposals that were either difficult to substantiate or obvious and self-evident.
• Had sketchy research and references.
• Had lapses in writing styles.
Weaker Candidates
• Submitted projects dramatically under-length
• Used the most basic research.
• Had non-existent or wholly inappropriate proposals.
• Did projects that had no focus on drama or theatre.

Guidelines
1998 HSC Drama 2 Unit Examination
Design Projects: Research Projects
Criteria Applied to Each Student’s Performance
1 Analysing and Synthesising
• Structuring a clear, coherent and logical statement
• Developing the proposal
• Drawing conclusions from the material
2 Use of Resources
• Use of available human and written resources
• Skill in the synthesis of acquired information
(ie how the resources have been utilised)
3 Style and Format
• Clarity and accuracy in the use of language
• 3500 words approximately
• Accuracy of referencing (footnotes, bibliography,
acknowledgement of sources)

Critical Analysis: Applied Research Project