OFFICE ADMINISTRATION
SBA GUIDELINES
Research Project
Topic: An investigation into how the Human Resource Department at (insert name of
organization research will be done on) co-ordinate meetings among the general staff.
The project should not exceeds 1000 words in length and should include charts, graphs, tables
and pictures that are relevant to the topic being studied. The final draft must be typed in double-
line spacing. Please note that the correspondence/letter must be typed in single line spacing.
The research is divided in three parts:
Criteria 1: PREPARATION
TITLE: Select a suitable topic/title for the project (given above by the teacher). This must be
appropriate and relevant to the syllabus.
AIM: State two (2) aims of the project. These must be relevant to your topic. These should
indicate what you hope to accomplish/discover/learn more about in carrying out the project.
FUNCTIONS: List two (2) functions of the office that the topic is related to.
CORRESPONDENCE: There should be a copy of a letter that you sent asking for permission
to conduct the Project. For example, seeking permission to visit a business place, an institution,
candidates will use a business format and the language associated with the subject.
CRITERIA 2: GATHERING DATA
METHODOLOGY: Give a clear description of how, when and from whom you gathered
information, and indicate the methods used to gather the information, for example,
questionnaires, interviews etc. An explanation of why the particular instrument was chosen
above all others must be given.
QUESTIONS: List the exact wording of questions asked. There must be five (5) questions that
are related to the topic and are relevant to learning more about the topic of the Project.
SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES: This should be in a table format with three columns under the
headings DATES, ACTIVITIES AND COMMENTS. N.B. This aspect starts from day one of
the SBA. Under ‘DATE’ state on what date or over what time period the activity took place.
‘ACTIVITIES’ should identify/state on what date or over what time period the activity took
place. ‘COMMENTS’ should indicate information such as the problems encountered, the need
for repeating an activity, meeting with people or engaging in any kind of follow-up activity.
Please note that information must be in a logical order.
REGULATIONS AND POLICIES GOVERNING THE FIRM: As a stranger/an
outsider/observer, you would have to be aware of some regulations, staff rules, health and safety
practices that applied to the work environment where you carried out your Research/Project. This
heading is to be divided into three subheadings: 1 – Legislation: here you must talk about one
legislation that governs the organization/institution. This must be supported by an “ACT” and
the year the ACT was passed and how you became aware of such legislation. (For example a
legislation that governs the institution is from the Financial Administration and Audit Act of
April 20, 1997. Section 5.3 of the Act speaks to ‘Payment Vouchers’. It states that each
payment of public money must be supported by a Payment Voucher or a claim which
incorporates the details required for a Payment Voucher). 2 – Health and Safety Practice:
State one health and safety practice carried out in the organization. 3 – Staff Rule: ONE staff
rule with which the candidate had to follow when the project was being carried out eg. No
walking across the lawn
Criteria 3 – PRESENTATION
REPORT: The candidate’s major accomplishment or finding related to the project is given.
• Report is between 500 – 700 words
• Discussion of the findings ( in relation to aims stated in Part one). Use charts or graphs
to support your findings.
• Limitations of the research (anywhere you have drawbacks) project, for example:
scheduling, or collecting data, is provided.
• Recommendations on how the efficiency of the office can be improved using technology.
OFFICE EQUIPMENT: A four (4) column table must be used here to record information
about the equipment used, under the headings DATE, EQUIPMENT USED, PURPOSE AND
SUITABILITY FOR TASKS.
Date Equipment Used Purpose Suitability for Task
12 December 2021 Photocopy Machine To ascertain copies of To get regular
form for customers feedback on
visiting the premises incoming and
outgoing customers
Bibliography
For persons interviewed, list comprises date, place and job title (This can be done in table
format). Eg
NAME DATE PLACE JOB TITLE
John Doe 05 November 2021 Jamaica Public Human Resource
Service Manager
i) For publications list comprises the names of the author, publisher and year published.
ii) For internet sites list comprises the address of the website, names of authors and
organizations and dates accessed.