Society and Culture

Association

Personal Interest Projects

Introduction, Log & Conclusion

Introduction
The introduction requires a brief description (no
more than 500 words) of what the topic is about,
why this topic was chosen and in what ways it
contributes to a better understanding of Society and
Culture. The choice of methodologies should be
explained and justified.
Log
The log should be based on the students Personal
Interest Project diary and will be a summary (no
more than 500 words) of the development of the
final product, outlining the procedures undertaken in
researching the topic.
Conclusion
The conclusion requires a statement (no more than

Examples of Introductions
Topic choice
Sample 1
My Personal Interest Project is centred upon the
depiction of race and gender in Disney films
and how it impacts on the socialisation of
young audiences. Upon visiting Disneyland the
happiest place on earth - when I was eleven, I
became fascinated with the level of acclaim,
public interest and profit Disney has continued to
receive throughout its 86-year history.
Through undertaking my PIP I hope to uncover
some reasons behind its continuing (and
seemingly ever-increasing) success. I also seek

Examples of Introductions
Methodologies
Sample 2
In order to effectively investigate this topic, I have
decided to undertake two research
methodologies: a questionnaire and
participant observation. With these two
instruments of investigation I hope to receive
accurate and detailed information (both
qualitative and quantitative) that will address
my PIP and further my knowledge on this subject. I
feel the disadvantages of some methodologies
are alleviated by conducting others.
Continued next slide

Examples of Introductions
Methodologies
Sample 2 (cont)
A questionnaire is appropriate as it will allow
me to gather large amounts of data from both males
and females within a reasonably short period of
time. Questionnaires also allow for the
responder to remain completely anonymous
enabling more truthful results.
Participant observation was chosen as a
methodology in order to accurately understand
how individuals interact with the culture of
MySpace, and to learn the practices and
expectations of this. Whilst participant observation

Examples of Introductions
Cross-cultural component
Sample 3
As the proclaimed leaders of tomorrow and at a ripe
stage of socialisation and self-discovery, I have
focused on teenagers. I will be looking into out
perceptions about change, the power we feel we
have over our lives in the micro world and our
ability to create change in the world.
By choosing gender as the cross-cultural
component I hope to determine how much of a
difference there is between the sexes today in
relation to power and authority, how they each
believe they can make change, which appears to be
more subject to social control. As a female, the

Examples of Logs
Sample 1

I began drafting my Introduction and Chapter

One, which crystallized the need for further
primary research: I had the opinions of many
educational experts, but none from students
themselves. To combat this, I conducted a focus
group of Year 12 students. This formed a
foundational basis on which to structure
Chapter Two, as my findings were especially
pertinent to socialization through education, and the
current issues within the education system.
Continued next slide

Examples of Logs
Sample 1 (cont)

It became clear, however, through the writing and

editing of the chapters, that although my focus
group findings yielded important information
regarding the opinions of students, it was
necessary, in order to reduce bias, to seek the
opinions of those who had already graduated school,
in order to utilize their hindsight. Therefore, I
circulated a questionnaire. Although slightly
disappointed at the 36% return rate, the surveys
were nevertheless infinitely helpful in
triangulating my findings, and reinforcing my
PIP.

Examples of Logs
Sample 2

I originally planned to include content analysis

as a methodology, however found obtaining relevant
texts from South Africa was too great a challenge,
and also that many of those directed towards a
white audience were in Afrikaans, a language I
never learnt. Thus I decided to focus on
secondary research, personal reflection,
interview and questionnaire.
Continued next slide

Examples of Logs
Sample 2 (cont)
I expected the questionnaire to yield the least
useful results due to the challenge the questions
posed to respondents. However, I was surprised by
the range of responses I received, and also by their
depth and honesty.

Unexpectedly, I found interviews to be the most

challenging methodology. I had difficulty
finding people to interview, as my topic focuses
on a specific aspect of society. As well as finding for
myself the questions I actually wanted answered,
what I was hoping to show with those answers, and
whether I was prepared to show it, it was not until I
started writing my chapters that I found much of the

Examples of Logs
Sample 3
November: Brainstormed my topic
Christmas holidays: Found it difficult to motivate myself because of
my social life
March: Starting to panic because I went to the PIP day and I realised I
havent done much, so I did a survey.
April /May: My teacher asked me for a progress report and my diary
and told me ways to improve.
June: The deadline is near and I need to interview some people. Got
some info from the internet and printed it off.
Holidays: Started writing up my PIP
July: Handed a draft to my teacher

Examples of Conclusions
Sample 1

During my primary research I got involved with

people in my home town. Since moving to the city I
had lost touch, but this interaction changed my
view of country life from being slow and
unstimulating to seeing all the positives. The
infrastructure, facilities, education, job opportunities
and strength of community I investigated were
refreshing, however the reconnection with
relatives far outweighed any tangible
benefits.
Continued next slide

Examples of Conclusions
Sample 1 (cont)
I have learned to share the passion and loyalty my
interviewees expressed towards their country town,
and as a result I feel as though I have achieved
my aim of overcoming superficial prejudices of
both the town and its people.
Although I understand the desire to gain more
diverse life experiences that Sydney has to offer,
the PIP has opened my eyes to the enriching
experiences of a close and supportive community
that is my home town. As such, I would happily
move and raise a family in the place where my
values and my attitudes were established.

Examples of Conclusions
Sample 2
While media mythology continues to depict the
homeless as a single homogenous group, negative
stereotypes will continue to develop. Perhaps
volunteers can seek to dispel this myth.
So, is volunteering a big issue? The analysis and
synthesis of primary and secondary research
enabled me to gain a deeper understanding of
homelessness as a social issue.
Continued next slide

Examples of Conclusions
Sample 2 (cont)
I also have insight into the processes of
motivation for volunteerism and how this forms part
of the volunteers own socialisation process.
The personal experience of volunteering has
been invaluable. I started volunteering as a means
to an end for my PIP but the unmatched insight
provided me with more empathy than any other
methodology could have ever revealed. It is for this
reason I will continue to volunteer to work with
disenfranchised groups in need of help, in the
search for self actualisation.

Examples of Conclusions
Sample 3

The trauma caused by the Khmer Rouge has left

many survivors with life-lasting effects that I was
not aware of until I completed my interviews. I
was so surprised by the extent to which it impacted
them psychologically. I noticed that these
psychological impacts were symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, that many were not
diagnosed with, due to traditional cultural practises.
The tyranny of time and life in refugee camps
means a few of my interviewees are still
suffering severely from their trauma.
Continued next slide

Examples of Conclusions
Sample 3 (cont)
The journey that I have travelled over the past year
has been very cathartic but equally as
remarkable. Over the last few months in particular,
I have grown to sympathise with Cambodian
refugees to a greater degree because of the PIP
process. Research undertaken, the people Ive met
and the knowledge Ive gained has made this PIP a
unique experience.
This is my heritage, my family and my identity.