- •Assessment overview
- •4Assessment Objectives
- •Description of papers
- •5Component 1 – Written Paper
- •6Component 2 – Research Report
- •6 The grading process
- •7Balance of marks
- •8Language of assessment
- •Administration
- •Marking
- •9Grade descriptions
- •Sample questions
- •10Component 1 – Written Paper
- •11Component 2 – Research Report
5Component 1 – Written Paper
Learners have 120 minutes to complete four compulsory questions, worth a total of 32 marks. Marks are awarded for analysis and evaluation of arguments, reasoning, claims and conclusions, including related evidence and research. Questions are assessed according to criteria based mark scheme alongside task specific mark schemes.
Assessment objectives |
Available marks |
Description |
AO1 AO2
|
32 |
The written paper consists of four compulsory questions based on a range of sources provided with the paper.
The sources will be related to a global issue drawn from the Subject Programme. Different forms of presentation and types of evidence about the global issue will be presented. Usually 3-4 different sources will be used, representing different perspectives on the global issue.
Learners will be required to analyse and assess source material and its content, arguments and issues contained within this material as well as to evaluate evidence and compare different perspectives on the global issue taken from the Subject Programme.
Questions will be set out in increasing difficulty and with the following structure (for a paper with three sources):
(2 / 4 marks)
|
TOTAL |
32 |
|
6Component 2 – Research Report
Learners have approximately six months to complete the Research Report. The Research Report will describe an investigation into a global issue chosen by the learner and approved by the teacher.
Learners are expected to draw upon their prior learning about research and sources of evidence and undertake some background research on the issue to inform their response to the task - i.e. the design and implementation of a research project.
Teachers will provide appropriate advice and guidance during the investigation and authenticate the final report. Learners will submit a research report of between 3,000 and 3,500 words. The essay must not exceed 3,500 words and an accurate word-count must be clearly stated on each essay. The word-count excludes the title, references and footnotes. Work beyond the 3,500 word maximum will not be included in the assessment.
The teacher is required to validate that the final research report is the learner’s own choice, and that the research and the writing of the report have been done independently by the learner. If the validation form is not submitted then the report cannot be marked.
Marks are awarded for research design and implementation, selection, analysis and interpretation of evidence, evaluation and reflection, and communication.
Assessment objectives |
Available marks |
Description |
AO1 AO2 AO3 AO4 |
48 |
Learners will submit a research report of between 3000 - 3500 words. The research report should be structured and contain sections according to the general conventions of reporting in social science and humanities subjects. This should include an introduction, rationale, background and context, method, results, conclusions, evaluation, further research and bibliography.
The investigation should enable the learner to explore and evaluate at least two perspectives on a global issue of their choice. It should be chosen by the learner and confirmed by the teacher, rather than being selected by the teacher. Teachers may review and authorise a detailed written research proposal before learners implement their designs for the research.
Learners are required to use structured forms to present their proposals for the task. This provides guidance to learners about what is expected in the design stages of the project. It also helps in the marking process as evidence of attainment in different assessment criteria is likely to be found in specific sections of the proposal as well as the report.
The work should be completed inside and outside the classroom. Sufficient guidance and supervision in class time is necessary for the teacher to authenticate the work as the learner’s own and to ensure that the research is conducted in accordance with the scheme of assessment in the Subject Programme and other relevant ethical guidelines. Guidance and feedback should be given by the teacher but drafts should not be marked.
The final report should demonstrate the learner’s ability to design and carry out research, analyse and evaluate different perspectives on a global issue, and develop reasoned and substantiated conclusions based on their findings. The report should also demonstrate the learner’s ability to evaluate their research and reflect upon their own perspectives and learning about the issue under investigation. |
TOTAL |
48 |
|