The Research Project is a COMPULSORY part of your Leaving Certificate course. You must, in consultation with your teacher, choose an appropriate topic, decide on the specific title, conduct your research (making sure to locate a primary source) and write an extended essay. You must also submit an outline plan and an evaluation of your sources.
The extended essay is the main part of the project, and is worth 60% of the available marks. For Higher Level the essay should be 1200 - 1500 words long, 600 - 800 at Ordinary Level. In the Extended Essay, the student sets down his/her main findings and conclusions. Findings should be laid out in a coherent manner, with a clear introduction and conclusion, and a line of logical development in between.
The extended essay is the main part of the project, and is worth 60% of the available marks. For Higher Level the essay should be 1200 - 1500 words long, 600 - 800 at Ordinary Level. In the Extended Essay, the student sets down his/her main findings and conclusions. Findings should be laid out in a coherent manner, with a clear introduction and conclusion, and a line of logical development in between.
- HIST is a resource service for History teachers in Ireland. They have put together a general guide to the Research Project including tips from teachers and specific information on what is required of students. You can access the various guides they've produced here.
- The most relevant part is the Student Guide. This contains a selection of worksheets that will help your research methods and would be very useful to have beside you while reading through source material.
- Link to the blank booklet.
- There is a quick guide to the Outline Plan available here