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How do you prepare your project?
This practical advice will guide you on the types of project
that are suitable, and give you hints on how to carry out each type.
General points
As you will see from the marking schedule it describes what is needed for
each level of achievement. We would strongly encourage you to write down your
aim(s) and what you are going to do as a plan or protocol before you start your
project. Click
here for an example of a project protocol .
The marking
schedule describes the different levels of achievement in each of these
areas. This is the grid used by the markers. Please note that a project must
score 18 or more, with no less than 2 on any criterion, in order to pass.
Please look at the marking grid carefully and from this you will see what your
project should contain.
If you have chosen to submit a project under the National Project Marking
Schedule (NPMS) you cannot simultaneously submit under other methods.
Summative Assessment is the subject of regulations laid down by Parliament.
Overall there are 7 competencies that are assessed by Summative Assessment. The
purpose of NPMS is to assesses two of these:
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Effective communication, both oral and in writing.
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The ability to review and critically analyse the practitioner's own working
practices and manage any necessary changes appropriately.
This purpose is achieved by inviting the GP Registrar (GPR) to reflect on a
question that arises in their practice. The question is then considered in the
light of the context of previous work, data is collected, the findings are
interpreted, and conclusions drawn. The last two stages of this process allow
the findings from the practical work to be related back to the GPR’s practice
and allow the consideration of implementing these changes in practice. These 6
stages are reflected in the marking schedule. Each section of the project must
relate to the question that the project is intended to answer. Getting the
question right is a vital stage in this process and you are strongly advised to
use the project
protocol to help you develop your question.
Different types of project are suitable for answering different types of
clinical question: some examples are shown in the table below:
| Questionnaire study |
What do patients/ practitioners feel or know about….? |
| Notes review |
Why have these people experienced this outcome…? |
| Literature review |
What is the evidence for…? |
| Clinical case study |
How can I learn from this case…? |
| Plan for a new service |
What can we do about…? |
| Discussion paper |
Why do we practice in this way? |
In your aims or methods section you should establish the reasons why you think
that the type of project you have chosen is suitable for the question you are
seeking to answer.
How to structure your project
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Aim
The background and reason for doing the project should be stated. The
project is more manageable if it has one aim rather than several
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Literature
The references used should be listed in a consistent style at the end of
the project. Normally there would be 6 or more relevant references. They should
be referred to clearly in the text.
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Method
The reader should have enough information to be able to repeat what was
done. It is helpful to include a short statement of why you think the method
you have chosen is appropriate to the aims of your project and how it helps you
answer your question. If there are ethical or good practice issues relating to
your project, you should describe how they have been dealt with.
See the page on ethics and the written submission.
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Results of findings
This should be clearly related to the aims of the project, and the method.
Consider different ways of presenting numerical data.
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Discussion
Summarise the main findings of your project. Evaluate your project by
describing its strengths and weaknesses. Say how your findings relate to other
people's published work. What are the implications of your work for your
practice and/or primary care generally? What changes would you recommend? If
possible relate the suggested changes to the practice you are working in.
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Conclusion
Sum up the main points to your project. What further work would you suggest
in the light of your findings.
Make constant reference to the marking schedule throughout the planning and
writing stages and aim for high marks for each criterion. Use the headings:
aim, method, results, discussion, conclusion and literature.
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