Summary EPQ: Skills Audit (FULL MARKS)
Slide 1 - ansSo, why did I want to do an EPQ? I initially wanted to begin the EPQ course as I heard that it
looks good on university applications and personal statements. As I wanted to go to uni I thought I would
take the opportunity. At first, I didn't really know much about what it entailed but I chose my topic of
Psychology and I had a pretty clear idea of what I wanted to focus my project on. Learning more about
the course I realised that I was not only able to choose a topic I was passionate about and wanted to
study further but I was also able to develop important skills which are transferable to the future like essay
writing, time management and organisational skills.
Slide 2 - ansHow did I choose my topic? After choosing psychology as my initial topic area I knew that I
wanted to talk about something that wasn't only relevant to today's society but also something that I was
passionate about personally. I did this as I knew that something that I was already passionate about
would help me be more motivated and interested to write an entire project on it. After making a mindmap
and writing down my potential ideas and changing it halfway through I eventually settled with the research
question. 'The false reality of social media: To what extent does social media have an impact on self-
esteem and body image?'. I felt that this question is an important one to think about especially how social
media has become such a staple thing in our lives.
Slide 3 - ansWhy is my topic important? I feel as though my topic is important for a number of reasons.
Firstly, like previously said it's very relevant to current society. I think it's something which isn't talked
about enough despite it being something that everyone has the opportunity to experience. The effects of
social media can impact anyone regardless of age or gender which is why it is important.
Slide 4 - ansDuring the course of my project, I aimed to do a few different things. One of my main aims
was to develop my skills. As this was an independent project I wanted to be able to prepare myself for
university, by this I mean I wanted to learn how to work to my own initiative, keeping on top of my own
deadlines and using my time effectively in order to create a university standard project. These skills I have
developed will not only help me in further education outside of college but also in anything I do in the
future. I also aimed to create a high quality, detailed project which effectively talks about my topic. Over
the course of my project, my aims have slightly changed as the further I got into my project the more I
realised what I was actually aiming to do.
Slide 5 - ansHow has my project developed from the beginning? So, let's start from the beginning. My
initial ideas never really changed at all, as I said from even before starting my project I knew roughly what
I wanted to focus on. I managed to cover everything that I wanted to do for the most part. One of the
changes I did make was to my question which I altered slightly from 'Does social media have an impact
on self-esteem and body image' to 'to what extent does social media have an impact on self-esteem and
body image'. I felt as if though adding to what extent, despite it being such a small change it makes it
clear from the beginning that yes, it does have an impact and I just needed to explain how within my
project instead of saying does it which is more of a closed question.
I also extended and changed some deadlines in my timeline document. For example, I had intended to
have my draft introduction completed by the 30th however, I felt as if other areas of my project needed
tending to so I extended my deadline to the 7th so I could focus on other areas. During my project, I also
changed my initial plan. I created a new one in order to incorporate all of my new key ideas into one clear
and concise document, getting rid of anything that I no longer was planning on including, for example, the
sub-topic on screentime. Doing this helped me out massively when it came to re-writing my final
dissertation as I could see what I wanted to include and talk about in each sub-topic. I also began to
create a questionnaire around half-way through my project this was in order to gather some primary
research for my project. I would consider this a change as it was unexpected and it helped me develop
my project.
Slide 6 - ansMy research. For my project, I collected both primary and secondary data. My secondary
research consisted of trying to use a range of sources. I watched a variety of different documentaries
which linked nicely to my project including Jesy Nelsons 'Odd one out' documentary on BBC as well as
the five-part 'Naked Beach' documentary which aired on Channel 5. Watching these were very useful and
helped me gain a better understanding of my project. I also researched using online websites from
Slide 1 - ansSo, why did I want to do an EPQ? I initially wanted to begin the EPQ course as I heard that it
looks good on university applications and personal statements. As I wanted to go to uni I thought I would
take the opportunity. At first, I didn't really know much about what it entailed but I chose my topic of
Psychology and I had a pretty clear idea of what I wanted to focus my project on. Learning more about
the course I realised that I was not only able to choose a topic I was passionate about and wanted to
study further but I was also able to develop important skills which are transferable to the future like essay
writing, time management and organisational skills.
Slide 2 - ansHow did I choose my topic? After choosing psychology as my initial topic area I knew that I
wanted to talk about something that wasn't only relevant to today's society but also something that I was
passionate about personally. I did this as I knew that something that I was already passionate about
would help me be more motivated and interested to write an entire project on it. After making a mindmap
and writing down my potential ideas and changing it halfway through I eventually settled with the research
question. 'The false reality of social media: To what extent does social media have an impact on self-
esteem and body image?'. I felt that this question is an important one to think about especially how social
media has become such a staple thing in our lives.
Slide 3 - ansWhy is my topic important? I feel as though my topic is important for a number of reasons.
Firstly, like previously said it's very relevant to current society. I think it's something which isn't talked
about enough despite it being something that everyone has the opportunity to experience. The effects of
social media can impact anyone regardless of age or gender which is why it is important.
Slide 4 - ansDuring the course of my project, I aimed to do a few different things. One of my main aims
was to develop my skills. As this was an independent project I wanted to be able to prepare myself for
university, by this I mean I wanted to learn how to work to my own initiative, keeping on top of my own
deadlines and using my time effectively in order to create a university standard project. These skills I have
developed will not only help me in further education outside of college but also in anything I do in the
future. I also aimed to create a high quality, detailed project which effectively talks about my topic. Over
the course of my project, my aims have slightly changed as the further I got into my project the more I
realised what I was actually aiming to do.
Slide 5 - ansHow has my project developed from the beginning? So, let's start from the beginning. My
initial ideas never really changed at all, as I said from even before starting my project I knew roughly what
I wanted to focus on. I managed to cover everything that I wanted to do for the most part. One of the
changes I did make was to my question which I altered slightly from 'Does social media have an impact
on self-esteem and body image' to 'to what extent does social media have an impact on self-esteem and
body image'. I felt as if though adding to what extent, despite it being such a small change it makes it
clear from the beginning that yes, it does have an impact and I just needed to explain how within my
project instead of saying does it which is more of a closed question.
I also extended and changed some deadlines in my timeline document. For example, I had intended to
have my draft introduction completed by the 30th however, I felt as if other areas of my project needed
tending to so I extended my deadline to the 7th so I could focus on other areas. During my project, I also
changed my initial plan. I created a new one in order to incorporate all of my new key ideas into one clear
and concise document, getting rid of anything that I no longer was planning on including, for example, the
sub-topic on screentime. Doing this helped me out massively when it came to re-writing my final
dissertation as I could see what I wanted to include and talk about in each sub-topic. I also began to
create a questionnaire around half-way through my project this was in order to gather some primary
research for my project. I would consider this a change as it was unexpected and it helped me develop
my project.
Slide 6 - ansMy research. For my project, I collected both primary and secondary data. My secondary
research consisted of trying to use a range of sources. I watched a variety of different documentaries
which linked nicely to my project including Jesy Nelsons 'Odd one out' documentary on BBC as well as
the five-part 'Naked Beach' documentary which aired on Channel 5. Watching these were very useful and
helped me gain a better understanding of my project. I also researched using online websites from
