This document is my logbook for my Extended Project Qualification. Scoring 49 out of 50 marks in my EPQ, I achieved full marks in the A01, A02 and A04 assessment objectives. These assessment objectives hold a regard to my logbook and supporting documents.
The purpose of the logbook is to show pr...
To be completed by the supervisor
Marks must be awarded in accordance with the instructions and criteria in the specification.
Summary information to show how the marks have been awarded should be given in the spaces below in addition
to comments in other pages of this document and any supporting information in the form of annotations on the
candidate’s work.
Maximum Mark
Skill area Supervisor’s supporting statement
mark awarded
The initial idea is broad but is narrowed down
considerably to a clear focus at the end of R11. The
topic is then very clear and what he wants to research
is also detailed and clearly defined. Strong evidence of
producing project plan via Gantt chart, helpfully broken
A01 Manage 10 10 down by sub-topics. There are three Gantt charts over
the course of the project, showing how deadlines were
revised and re-adjusted. Detailed, specific examples
are offered of changes and issues being resolved
through the research and writing phase. Overall, this is
an exemplary approach to the planning, organisation
and monitoring of the project.
Presents an engaging range of initial sources, varied in
scope and helpfully covering both sides of the debate.
Detail is provided in the presentation of a strong and
weak source with justifications for the decisions
reached. The presentation handout on sources clearly
shows detailed consideration of the critical context of
sources. Theories and concepts within the field are
regularly presented within the essay, showing his
A02 Use understanding of the bigger ideas and principles at
10 10
resources work. An excellent range of relevant sources have
been consulted and woven into the fabric of the final
report very successfully.
X More detail on critical engagement with sources
might have been useful, for example on the scoring
system used in relation to sources, though this is not
enough to prevent full marks.
The written report is produced to an extremely high
standard. Both sides of the debate are carefully
considered and analysis and evaluation is presented
throughout. Changes to approach and to the writing
phase are clearly signalled. There is consistent
evidence of working through problems to achieve
A03 Develop solutions. All of the candidate’s original aims for the
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and realise project are accomplished. Sources are impressively
synthesised, and the report is carefully and precisely
sequenced.
At times, the analysis of data and ideas might have
been more thoroughly considered.
A04 Review 10 10 Detailed evidence offered in the presentation of
AQA Education (AQA) is a registered charity (number 1073334) and a company limited by 7993/CRF
guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 3644723). Our registered address is AQA,
Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX.
, Candidate number Candidate’s full name
problems he encountered through the process and
how he overcame them. Highly reflective points on
changes he would make if he were to do the project
again. The depth and detail of the S&R is very
impressive. He has clearly thought long and hard about
the strengths and weaknesses of his planning and
implementation of the project.
Total mark 50 49
Record of initial ideas
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, Candidate number Candidate’s full name
To be completed by the candidate
This page records initial meeting(s) with your supervisor to agree your project ideas. Additional pages can be
submitted if more than one idea has been explored.
My idea(s) for topic/title
My two initial ideas were 'Is suicide ever rational?' and 'Is Healthcare a human right?'
With the first of these ideas, I had briefly looked over this idea in my Year 9 Philosophy lessons, looking at the
reasoning about rationality from the perspective of different philosophers. This inspired my initial interest in this
topic. I am an aspiring medic, so I wanted to intertwine this idea of the rationality of suicide and the idea of
medically-assisted suicide. I intended to explore different factors for which one might commit suicide, and,
based on analysing multiple cases, to come to a decision on whether any situation warrants one to take their
own life.
My second possible topic choice is 'Is healthcare a human right?'. This idea grabbed my attention as healthcare
is increasingly inaccessible. Especially in current times where the Coronavirus has put already poor countries
into further economic turmoil, healthcare is becoming an increasingly urgent issue. I wanted to look at the
ethical aspects of the right for everyone to have access to healthcare, and the issues which affect how
healthcare can be delivered to all.
My ideas for research and development of my project
After thoroughly reviewing the two ideas, I decided to stick to the idea of 'Is suicide ever rational?' and delve
more into that idea.
The issue with 'Is Healthcare a human right?' was that it lacked a sense of debate, due to which, the access to
sources was hugely limited. This meant that the project would be increasingly difficult to write.
I decided to select 'Is suicide ever rational?' as there are a whole range of sources which are accessible to me.
I like the idea of questioning whether there could ever be any situation that would warrant one being permitted
or allowed to take their own life. I find this topic more interesting than my other idea, mainly due to the fact that
mental health is a growing issue in society. Therefore, I would be able to write my essay in such a way that I
can use sources which are relatively recent.
When writing about the rationality of suicide, and whether it is rational or not, I intend to talk about the different
reasons for which one may commit suicide, for example, looking at the medical reasons for which someone
may do so, or reasons such as someone having no will to live. I will be using a variety of cases and reasons for
suicide, and see whether committing suicide in such circumstances is acceptable.
I will have subtopics about the medical side of the matter, and the philosophical and social acceptance
perspective on the matter. Focussing on this will allow me to stick to my working title, whilst having some space
for flexibility with my essay.
My summary of the comments and advice from my supervisor
After my initial meeting with my supervisor, a number of issues arose that needed addressing.
My supervisor and I found that my title 'Is suicide ever rational?' was really problematic. One issue that arose
that it was too broad. In a 5000-word essay, writing about multiple reasons for which one may commit suicide
and writing so in an analytical way would be overly difficult, and I wouldnt be able to achieve much.
The use of the word 'rational' in my title is problematic. After looking into the meaning of the word, we found
that it means 'The quality or state of being rational – that is, being based on or agreeable to reason. Rationality
implies the conformity of one's beliefs with one's reasons to believe, and of one's actions with one's reasons for
action.' This is too philosophical, and would take away from the quality of my essay as I can't analyse the ideas
properly.
Another issue that arose was that I needed to understand the crucial debate of the topic. The ideas which I
expressed in our meeting where demonstrative that I didn't clearly understand what I wanted to write about in
my essay. For example, I was unsure as to what about the rationality of suicide I wanted to talk about.
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, Candidate number Candidate’s full name
Therefore, my supervisor advised that I make the title more focused, meaning that I actually write my essay
strictly about the topic, and don't go off track.
My supervisor and I also found that my intended sub-topics were too broad, even though they were meant to
make my title more focussed. Therefore, rather than looking at sub-topics such as medical factors, or lifestyle
factors, my supervisor advised that I focus on one specific topic. Therefore, I could narrow the question down
whilst still keeping it broad.
My supervisor emphasised that I must make sure that there are enough sources that are accessible to me. It
may be that the sources I come across are too complicated for me, so I need to make sure that I am able to
find sources which are easy to understand, whilst also being able to write a 5000-word essay on this topic. This
idea about suicide is not widely researched, so there might be a lack of sources, something I need to check.
My supervisor emphasised that I should first start off by using basic sources so that I can understand this
concept of whether or not suicide is ever rational. As this topic isn't something that an average 15/16 year old
will be reading about, the sources I will come across will be quite complex. This is a very academic topic,
surrounding the areas of mental health and philosophy, so journal articles and academic essays about the topic
will be written by experts, so sources that I might want to use need to be in layman's terms and not too complex
as to be accessible.
I will need to review a number of cases regarding suicide. The topic I have selected is quite broad, so, when
writing the essay, I will need to ensure that I do not go off topic and stick to the working title. It would be a good
idea if I framed my sub-topics so that they are related closely to the subject being discussed, so I do not go off
course from my working title.
Modifications I have made as a result of my discussion with my supervisor
I ensured there were a whole variety of sources, ranging from journal articles to podcasts to documentaries,
that I would be able to reference. Searching for a variety as such would demonstrate that I have enough
sources to work from so I can make sure that I am not limited with sources. Also, I made sure that the sources
available to me are accessible and that I can completely understand them. Using a scientific and academic
article which is written by an expert in the subject would be nonsensical as I would find it extremely difficult to
come to terms with what it means.
I had changed the title of my project, and it is now 'What are the barriers to the legalisation of euthanasia in the
UK?' This is quite distinct to my initial title, in the sense that it is more focussed. Rather than looking at suicide
as a whole, I am looking at the medical dimension of it, and looking at medical-assisted suicide. I would be able
to outline what the barrier is and then build an argument on it.
As euthanasia is dealt with differently in many countries, it means that my topic would be too broad, so, my
supervisor and I discussed and decided that it would be beneficial to my project if I focussed on the UK though
I will still reference other countries within my essay, such as Switzerland and Canada.
As the word 'rational' was too philosophical, I chose not to use it in my working title. It would cause many issues
in terms of me being able to properly write the essay as I would need an understanding of people's mindset,
which is not so easy and I would be limited to a handful of cases that I could reference.
My sub-topics as a result of the modification to my working title will focus mainly on the economic, social,
ethical and personal reasons. I will then go into further details about these sub-topics and reference to real
case studies about such, and evaluate the barriers from both sides. To ensure I won't go off topic, I have
decided to look at the particular factors that are stopping euthanasia from being legalised.
I made my topic surrounding the ideas of euthanasia distinctively two-sided, meaning I can successfully keep
an element of debate within my essay. I can look at the legal position of the UK compared to other countries,
and successfully evaluate the ethical and legal debates presented.
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