Social researcher

This document explains the requirements for end-point assessment (EPA) for the social researcher apprenticeship. End-point assessment organisations (EPAOs) must follow this when designing and delivering the EPA.

Social researcher apprentices, their employers and training providers should read this document.

A degree-apprenticeship enables the awarding of a degree within the achievement of an apprenticeship. This means the apprenticeship and the degree will both need to be completed, passed, and awarded together to achieve the social sciences professional degree-apprenticeship.

Apprentices must complete and pass all on and off-the-job training before completing an EPA to determine occupational competence. The Higher Education Provider (HEP), responsible for delivering the degree-apprenticeship, must be both the approved EPAO and training provider. The HEP with approved EPAO status is responsible for the delivery of EPA for this degree-apprenticeship. Employers must select the HEP from both the register of apprenticeship training providers (RoATP) and the register of end-point assessment organisations (RoEPAO).

If the HEP is using a credit framework, the EPA must contribute to the total credit value of 360 credits and must be delivered in accordance with this assessment plan. The recommended EPA contribution is 40 of the total credit value.

A full-time apprentice typically spends 42 months on-programme (this means in training before the gateway) working towards competence as a social researcher. All apprentices must spend at least 12 months on-programme. All apprentices must complete the required amount of off-the-job training specified by the apprenticeship funding rules.

This EPA has 2 assessment methods.

The grades available for each assessment method are:

Assessment method 1 - written project report with presentation and questioning.:

• fail

• pass

• distinction

Assessment method 2 - professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence.:

• fail

• pass

• distinction

The result from each assessment method is combined to decide the overall apprenticeship grade. The following grades are available for the apprenticeship:

• fail

• pass

• distinction

The EPA is taken in the EPA period. The EPA period starts when the EPAO confirms the gateway requirements have been met and is typically 6 months.

The EPAO should confirm the gateway requirements have been met and the EPA should start as quickly as possible.

The apprentice’s employer must confirm that they think their apprentice is working at or above the occupational standard. The apprentice will then enter the gateway. The employer may take advice from the apprentice's training provider(s), but the employer must make the decision.

The apprentice must meet the gateway requirements before starting their EPA.

These are:

• achieved English and maths qualifications in line with the apprenticeship funding rules

• completed and passed all 320 credit carrying modules of the Applied Social Research

• for the written project report with presentation and questioning., the apprentice must submit a written project report scoping document

The apprentice must agree the subject, title and scope for their written project report with their employer and EPAO by submitting a scoping document which will be no more than 500 words. This will not be assessed by the independent assessor.

• for the professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence., the apprentice must submit a portfolio of evidence

Portfolio of evidence requirements:

The apprentice must compile a portfolio of evidence during the on-programme period of the apprenticeship. It should only contain evidence related to the KSBs that will be assessed by this assessment method. It will typically contain 16 discrete pieces of evidence. Evidence must be mapped against the KSBs. Evidence may be used to demonstrate more than one KSB, when collecting evidence, the apprentice should review the quality of the evidence rather than the quantity of it.

Evidence sources may include:

• workplace documentation and records, for example:
• material social research outputs
• workplace policies and procedures
• witness statements
• annotated photographs
• video clips (maximum total duration 5 minutes); the apprentice must be in view and identifiable

This is not a definitive list; other evidence sources can be included.

The portfolio of evidence should not include reflective accounts or any methods of self-assessment. Any employer contributions should focus on direct observation of performance (for example, witness statements) rather than opinions. The evidence provided should be valid and attributable to the apprentice; the portfolio of evidence should contain a statement from the employer and apprentice confirming this.

The EPAO should not assess the portfolio of evidence directly as it underpins the discussion . The independent assessor should review the portfolio of evidence to prepare questions for the discussion . They are not required to provide feedback after this review.

The apprentice must submit any policies and procedures as requested by the EPAO.

The EPA period starts when the EPAO confirms all gateway requirements have been met.

The expectation is they will do this as quickly as possible.

The assessment methods can be delivered in any order.

The result of one assessment method does not need to be known before starting the next.

Overview

A written project report involves the apprentice completing a significant and defined piece of work that has a real business application and benefit. The written project report must start after the apprentice has gone through the gateway. It gives the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method.

The written project report must meet the needs of the employer’s business and be relevant to the apprentice’s occupation and apprenticeship. The EPAO must confirm that it provides the apprentice with the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method to the highest available grade. The EPAO must refer to the grading descriptors to ensure that written project reports are pitched appropriately.

This assessment method has 2 components:

• written project report
• presentation with questions and answers

Rationale

This assessment method is being used because:

• The written project report is the most valid method as it allows the demonstration of professional competence. The written project report will contribute to the employer’s business and be part of the apprentices’ everyday work, ensuring that they can demonstrate KSBs in practice. Producing a written project report reflects normal practice in the workplace for a social researcher, so this assessment method is appropriate.
• It is a significant and complex piece of work that thoroughly tests both higher and lower order knowledge and skills.
• Note that it is essential that the written project report articulates the apprentice’s own work practice rather than the activities performed by the team of which they were part.

Component 1: Written Project Report

Delivery

The written project report with presentation and questioning. must be structured to give the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method to the highest available grade.

The apprentice’s written project report can be based on any of the following:

• a specific problem
• a recurring issue
• an idea or opportunity

Examples of the types of projects on which a written report an apprentice could submit include:

• A discrete small-scale piece of social research (empirical or non-empirical) or a larger study with a clear indication of the apprentice’s contribution
• Rapid Evidence Assessment or Theory of Change
• Research proposal and/or a scoping document, such as an implementation plan for a research pilot, evaluation or intervention, or a qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods research proposal
• Development of research instruments and/or materials

To ensure the written project report allows the apprentice to meet the KSBs mapped to this assessment method to the highest available grade, the EPAO should sign-off the written project report's title and scope at the gateway to confirm it is suitable.

The project output must be in the form of a report.

The apprentice must start the written project report after the gateway. They must complete and submit the report to the EPAO by the end of week 12 4 of the EPA period. The employer should ensure the apprentice has the time and resources, within this period, to plan and complete their written project report. The apprentice must complete their written project report and the production of its components unaided.

The apprentice may work as part of a team to complete the project which could include technical internal or external support. However, the written project report must be the apprentice’s own work and reflective of their own role and contribution. The apprentice and their employer must confirm that the written project report is the apprentice’s own work when it is submitted.

The report must include at least:

The written project report may be of the following forms:

• A written client/customer report. The structure may vary depending on the product, but it would generally have the following components:
• Executive summary (required)
• Introduction/rationale stating research question(s) and intended aims/objectives of the project (required)
• Literature Review (as appropriate)
• Data and Methodology (as appropriate)
• Results (as appropriate)
• Conclusions / Recommendations (required)
• Appendices – supporting information (as appropriate)
• A research paper, typically in the style that would be in a published journal, including supporting a structured research diary or journal, or data and code
• A written case study

The project report has a word count of 6000 words. A tolerance of 10% above or below the word count is allowed at the apprentice’s discretion. Appendices, references and diagrams are not included in this total. The written project report must map, in an appendix, how it evidences the KSBs mapped to this assessment method.

Component 2: Presentation with questions

Delivery

In the presentation with questions the apprentice delivers a presentation to an independent assessor on a set subject. The independent assessor must ask questions following the presentation. This gives the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method.

The apprentice must prepare and submit their presentation speaker notes and supporting materials presentation with questions and answers. The independent assessor must ask questions after the presentation. The presentations must include:

• an overview of the project, clearly stating the research problem addressed
• the project scope (including key performance indicators)
• summary of actions undertaken by the apprentice
• project outcomes and how these were achieved

The apprentice must prepare and submit their presentation speaker notes and supporting materials to the EPAO at the same time as the report by the end of week 12 of the EPA period.

The apprentice must notify the EPAO, at that point, of any technical requirements for the presentation. During the presentation, the apprentice must have access to:

• audio-visual presentation equipment
• flip chart and writing and drawing materials
• computer

The independent assessor must have at least 2 weeks to review the project output(s) and presentation speaker notes and supporting materials, to allow them to prepare questions. 

The EPAO must give the apprentices at least 2 weeks notice of the presentation with questions.

The apprentice must deliver their presentation to the independent assessor on a one-to-one basis.

The independent assessor must ask questions after the presentation.

The purpose of the questions is to assess competency against the KSBs assigned to this assessment method.

The presentation and questions must last 60 minutes. The presentation should be non-technical in the format of a client/customer briefing or otherwise pitched at a level suitable for a general audience. This will typically include a presentation of 20 minutes and questioning lasting 40 minutes. The independent assessor can increase the total time of the presentation and questioning by up to 10%. This time is to allow the apprentice to complete their last point or respond to a question if necessary.

The independent assessor must ask at least 6 questions. They must use the questions from the EPAO’s question bank or create their own questions in-line with the EPAO’s training. Follow up questions are allowed where clarification is required.

The independent assessor must use the full time available for questioning. The independent assessor must make the grading decision. The written project report components must be assessed holistically by the independent assessor when they are deciding the grade.

The independent assessor must make the grading decision.

The independent assessor must keep accurate records of the assessment. They must record:

• the KSBs demonstrated in the report and presentation
• the apprentice’s answers to questions
• the KSBs demonstrated in answers to questions
• the grade achieved 

Assessment location

The presentation with questions must take place in a suitable venue selected by the EPAO (for example the EPAO’s or employer’s premises).

The presentation with questions should take place in a quiet room, free from distractions and influence.

The presentation with questioning can be conducted by video conferencing. The EPAO must have processes in place to verify the identity of the apprentice and ensure the apprentice is not being aided.

Question and resource development

The EPAO must develop a purpose-built assessment specification and question bank. It is recommended this is done in consultation with employers of this occupation. The EPAO should maintain the security and confidentiality of EPA materials when consulting employers. The assessment specification and question bank must be reviewed at least once a year to ensure they remain fit-for-purpose.  

The assessment specification must be relevant to the occupation and demonstrate how to assess the KSBs mapped to this assessment method. Some questioning should be of a technical nature, the apprentice must be able to orally justify their research decisions. The EPAO must ensure that questions are refined and developed to a high standard. The questions must be unpredictable. A question bank of sufficient size will support this.

The EPAO must ensure that the apprentice has a different set of questions in the case of re-sits or re-takes.

EPAO must produce the following materials to support the written project report with presentation and questioning.:

• independent assessor EPA materials which include:
  • training materials
  • administration materials
  • moderation and standardisation materials
  • guidance materials
  • grading guidance
  • question bank
• EPA guidance for the apprentice and the employer

The EPAO must ensure that the EPA materials are subject to quality assurance procedures including standardisation, training, and moderation.

Overview

In the discussion, an independent assessor and apprentice have a formal two-way conversation.

The apprentice can refer to and illustrate their answers with evidence from their portfolio of evidence. It gives the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate their competency across the KSBs mapped to this EPA method.

Rationale

This assessment method is being used because:

• it allows the apprentice to be assessed against KSBs that may not naturally occur as part of a work-based project
• it allows the apprentice to show case their depth of understanding relating to the KSBs
• it allows the independent assessor to consider the context and sector that the apprentice operates within, giving flexibility to ensure that all the KSBs can be assessed appropriately
• it is cost effective, and it allows consideration of the potential need to conduct the EPA remotely.

Delivery

The professional discussion must be structured to give the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method to the highest available grade.

An independent assessor must conduct and assess the professional discussion.

The purpose of the independent assessor's questions will be to further clarify skills demonstrated in a portfolio of evidence.

The EPAO must give an apprentice 2 weeks notice of the professional discussion.

The independent assessor must have at least 2 week(s) to review the supporting documentation.

The apprentice must have access to their a portfolio of evidence during the professional discussion.

The apprentice can refer to and illustrate their answers with evidence from their a portfolio of evidence however the a portfolio of evidence is not directly assessed.

The professional discussion must last 90 minutes. The independent assessor can increase the time of the professional discussion by up to 10%. This time is to allow the apprentice to respond to a question if necessary.

The independent assessor must ask at least 8 questions. Follow-up questions are allowed where clarification is required. The independent assessor must use the questions from their EPAO’s question bank or create their own questions in-line with the EPAO’s training.

The independent assessor must make the grading decision. The independent assessor must keep accurate records of the assessment. They must record:

• the apprentice’s answers to questions
• the KSBs demonstrated in answers to questions
• the grade achieved 

Assessment location

The professional discussion must take place in a suitable venue selected by the EPAO (for example the EPAO’s or employer’s premises).

The professional discussion can be conducted by video conferencing. The EPAO must have processes in place to verify the identity of the apprentice and ensure the apprentice is not being aided.

The professional discussion should take place in a quiet room, free from distractions and influence.

Question and resource development

The EPAO must develop a purpose-built assessment specification and question bank. It is recommended this is done in consultation with employers of this occupation. The EPAO should maintain the security and confidentiality of EPA materials when consulting employers. The assessment specification and question bank must be reviewed at least once a year to ensure they remain fit-for-purpose.  

The assessment specification must be relevant to the occupation and demonstrate how to assess the KSBs mapped to this assessment method. Questioning must include a technical component that assesses both quantitative and qualitative research skills, including decision-making about appropriate methodology. The EPAO must ensure that questions are refined and developed to a high standard. The questions must be unpredictable. A question bank of sufficient size will support this.

The EPAO must ensure that apprentice has a different set of questions in the case of re-sits or re-takes.

The EPAO must produce the following materials to support the professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence.:

• independent assessor assessment materials which include:
  • training materials
  • administration materials
  • moderation and standardisation materials
  • guidance materials
  • grading guidance
  • question bank
• EPA guidance for the apprentice and the employer

The EPAO must ensure that the EPA materials are subject to quality assurance procedures including standardisation, training, and moderation.

Performance in the EPA determines the overall grade of:

• fail

• pass

• distinction

An independent assessor must individually grade the: written project report with presentation and questioning. and professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence. in line with this EPA plan.

The EPAO must combine the individual assessment method grades to determine the overall EPA grade.

If the apprentice fails one assessment method or more, they will be awarded an overall fail.

To achieve an overall pass, the apprentice must achieve at least a pass in all the assessment methods. To achieve an overall EPA distinction, the apprentice must achieve a distinction in both assessment methods.

Grades from individual assessment methods must be combined in the following way to determine the grade of the EPA overall.

If the apprentice fails one or more assessment methods they can take a re-sit or a re-take at their employer’s discretion. The apprentice’s employer needs to agree that a re-sit or re-take is appropriate. A re-sit does not need further learning, whereas a re-take does.

The apprentice should have a supportive action plan to prepare for a re-sit or a re-take.

The employer and EPAO agree the timescale for a re-sit or re-take. A re-sit is typically taken within 2 months of the EPA outcome notification. The timescale for a re-take is dependent on how much re-training is required and is typically taken within 3 months of the EPA outcome notification.

If the apprentice fails the project assessment method, they must to amend the project output in line with the independent assessor’s feedback. The apprentice will be given 4 weeks to rework and submit the amended report.

Failed assessment methods must be re-sat or re-taken within a 6-month period from the EPA outcome notification, otherwise the entire EPA will need to be re-sat or re-taken in full.

Re-sits and re-takes are not offered to an apprentice wishing to move from pass to a higher grade.

The apprentice will get a maximum EPA grade of pass for a re-sit or re-take, unless the EPAO determines there are exceptional circumstances.

The EPAO must have reasonable adjustments arrangements for the EPA.

This should include:

• how an apprentice qualifies for reasonable adjustment
• what reasonable adjustments may be made

Adjustments must maintain the validity, reliability and integrity of the EPA as outlined in this EPA plan.

Internal quality assurance refers to how the EPAO ensures valid, consistent and reliable EPA decisions. The EPAO must adhere to the requirements within the roles and responsibilities section:

The EPAO must also:

• have quality assurance systems and procedures that ensure fair, reliable and consistent EPA regardless of employer, place, time or independent assessor
• appoint independent assessors who are competent to deliver the EPA and who:
  • have recent relevant experience of the occupation or sector to at least occupational level 7 gained in the last 3 years or significant experience of the occupation or sector
• operate induction training for anyone involved in the delivery or assessment of the EPA
• provide training for independent assessors in good assessment practice, operating the assessment tools and making grading decisions
• provide ongoing training for markers and invigilators
• provide standardisation activity for this apprenticeship standard for all independent assessors:
  • before they conduct an EPA for the first time
  • if the EPA is updated
  • periodically as appropriate (a minimum of annually)
• conduct effective moderation of EPA decisions and grades
• conduct appeals where required, according to the EPAO’s appeals procedure, reviewing and making final decisions on EPA decisions and grades
• have no direct connection with the apprentice, their employer or training provider.

Affordability of the EPA will be aided by using at least some of the following:

• utilising digital remote platforms to conduct applicable assessment methods

• using the employer’s premises

• conducting assessment methods on the same day

This apprenticeship aligns with:

• The Market Research Society for Member Level