The Department of Public Policy (POL) of CityU’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences has been running the “Hong Kong School-Based Research Project Program for Senior Secondary School Students”. It introduces secondary students to the skills required for Independent Enquiry Study (IES), a part of the core liberal studies subject under the New Senior Secondary Curriculum in Hong Kong.

But how does it help? To answer this question, one needs to know the challenges posed by IES.

First, the process to complete the project spans the whole three years of their high school study, but this component comprises just 20 per cent of the final result. Students find it time-consuming and think the weighing or requirements should be lowered.

It also requires students to complete a sound enquiry from scratch. They need to choose a topic that is specific and feasible to study, collect and analyse primary data and secondary resources, and present their findings in written or non-written format in their final products. It tests higher-order thinking, communication and presentation skills. Many students find themselves unable to grasp the required skills, let alone benefit from this journey of exploration and discovery. With a demanding syllabus for the public written examination of the subject, which contributes to the remaining 80 per cent of the final grade, many teachers lack time to provide students with comprehensive research training.

This is where support from POL’s initiative comes in. For each participating school, three workshops are conducted by undergraduates of the Department. The coaches, who are familiar with DSE requirements and have experience in completing IES themselves, introduce practical research techniques to the students. These include setting topics and focus questions, applying different research methodologies like secondary data analysis, observation, interview and survey, as well as analysing data and drawing conclusions. Apart from helping students tackle the examination and relieve stress, the aim of the workshops is to cultivate their interest in evidence-based research and enhance their generic skills that can be applied to different situations.

Participating schools and students are not the only ones to be rewarded. POL students who take up a coaching role can enhance their research and presentation skills through preparing for and conducting the workshops, and showcase what they have learnt at the Department.