Understanding Standards: Advanced Higher Event Modern Studies

Important Documentation Course Assessment Specification (August 2015) Advanced Higher Modern Studies Course/Unit Support Notes (May 2015) Advanced Higher Modern Studies Specimen and Exemplar Question Papers General assessment information for Advanced Higher Modern Studies Advanced Higher Modern Studies Approved List of Dissertations 2016 Advanced Higher Modern Studies Course Report (October 2016) All available via http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/48467.html

Further Documentation Coursework assessment task for Advanced Higher Modern Studies  Available via SQA Secure Site See your centre’s SQA coordinator for access

Aims of the day To support teachers, lecturers and assessors in their understanding of national standards by: reviewing candidate evidence discussing this evidence and associated Marking Instructions with colleagues asking questions and seeking clarification about national standards

General Information 2016 Exam Diet Approximately 851 resulted entries Grade A 24.1% Grade A - B 56.4% Grade A - C 81.7% Grade D and No Award 18.3%

General Information 2016 Exam Diet Grade Boundaries Upper A 119 - 140 marks A Mark 100 - 118 marks B Mark 85 - 99 marks C Mark 70 - 84 marks D Mark 62 - 69 marks No Award less than 62 marks

General Information 2016 Exam Diet Average mark Question Paper 54 (out of 90) Assignment/Dissertation 32.7 (out of 50)

General Information 2016 Exam Diet Question Paper 22% of centres/candidates attempt Political Issues 76% of centres/candidates attempt Law & Order 2% of centres/candidates attempt Social Inequality

General Information 2016 Exam Diet Question Paper: Political Issues Q. 1 avg. mark 18.34 (30) * Q. 2 avg. mark 18.09 (30) * Q. 3 avg. mark 19.14 (30) Q. 4 avg. mark 10.48 (15) Q. 5 avg. mark 9.07 (15) * Most popular essay questions in this study area

General Information 2016 Exam Diet Question Paper: Law & Order Q. 6 avg. mark 14.70 (30) Q. 7 avg. mark 17.12 (30) * Q. 8 avg. mark 18.78 (30) * Q. 9 avg. mark 9.16 (15) Q. 10 avg. mark 8.11 (15) * Most popular essay questions in this study area

General Information 2016 Exam Diet Question Paper: Social Inequality Q. 11 avg. mark 17.42 (30) * Q. 12 avg. mark 12.33 (30) Q. 13 avg. mark 19.92 (30) * Q. 14 avg. mark 9.40 (15) Q. 15 avg. mark 9.47 (15) * Most popular essay questions in this study area

The 30 mark extended response Workshop 1 Question Paper Section A The 30 mark extended response

Extended Responses Areas in which candidates performed well Referencing international comparator country or countries Referencing ideas/theories or academic arguments Analysis of differences/similarities between the UK/Scotland and comparator country or countries made

Extended Responses Areas which candidates found demanding No reference to any international comparator(s) Candidates losing 10 marks across analysis/ comparison criteria Lack of on-going evaluation or conclusions Summary ‘conclusions’

Extended Responses Advice for future presentations Ensure coverage of international comparator country or countries and evaluate relative to UK/Scotland Answer the question set and address various sides of the ‘argument’ Offer current, up-to-date and on-going evidence/ exemplification Go beyond ‘summary’ conclusions

The 30 mark extended response Analysis (8 marks) For consideration in awarding 5-6 marks: “ includes relevant and contemporary supporting evidence from an international comparator country” (2016 Advanced Higher Modern Studies Finalised Marking Instructions page 4)

The 30 mark extended response Analysis (8 marks) For consideration in awarding 7-8 marks: “ analytical comments are integrated in-depth with international comparison …comments clearly integrate the ideas/arguments of others with the candidate’s own” (2016 Advanced Higher Modern Studies Finalised Marking Instructions page 4)

The 30 mark extended response Comparison (6 marks) Award 0 marks where: “ No evidence of relevant international comparison” (2016 Advanced Higher Modern Studies Finalised Marking Instructions page 5)

The 30 mark extended response Comparison (6 marks) For consideration in awarding 5-6 marks: “ points of comparison are integrated into and form a key part of the candidate’s line argument” (2016 Advanced Higher Modern Studies Finalised Marking Instructions page 5)

The 30 mark extended response Evaluation (8 marks) For consideration in awarding 5-6 marks: “In addition, there is reasoned evaluation of at least one alternative factor.” (2016 Advanced Higher Modern Studies Finalised Marking Instructions page 6)

The 30 mark extended response Evaluation (8 marks) For consideration in awarding 7-8 marks: “points of evaluation are integrated throughout the candidate’s line of argument …the overall judgement includes reasons for discounting or accepting alternatives: these reasons are used to clearly support the overall conclusion.” (2016 AH Modern Studies Finalised Marking Instructions page 6)

The 30 mark extended response Synthesis (8 marks) For consideration in awarding 3-4 marks: “ Pieces of information are drawn together into an overall conclusion which provides an overall judgement on the question …The conclusion follows from a line of argument and is supported by accurate, detailed reasons/evidence …” (2016 Advanced Higher Modern Studies Finalised Marking Instructions page 7)

The 30 mark extended response Synthesis (8 marks) For consideration in awarding 7-8 marks: “…overall conclusion includes a response to at least one relevant counter-argument” AND “ the line of argument integrates points of analysis and evaluation, using these to support the overall judgement ….the overall judgement is based on a range of analysis or evaluation” (2016 AH Modern Studies Finalised Marking Instructions page 7)

The 30 mark extended response Workshop 1: Activity The 30 mark extended response Assessment criteria Analysis 8 marks Comparison 6 marks Evaluation 8 marks Synthesis/Conclusion 8 marks

Research Methods and Source Stimulus Questions Workshop 2 Question Paper Section B Research Methods and Source Stimulus Questions

Research Methods Questions (Q. 4, 9 & 14) Areas in which candidates performed well Analysis of two stated methods   Referencing advantages and disadvantages of two methods Concluding comment or justification

Research Methods Questions (Q. 4, 9 & 14) Areas which candidates found demanding Supporting analysis of research methods with in depth knowledge and contemporary or relevant supporting evidence Consideration of the ‘scenario’ posed in research method questions Lack of comment on ethical issues of research methods

Research Methods Questions (Q. 4, 9 & 14) Advice for future presentations Familiarise candidates with assessable criteria Integrate as part of coursework/dissertation Ensure candidate opportunities to study examples of academic application of methods

Source Stimulus Questions (Q. 5, 10 & 15) Areas in which candidates performed well Balanced comment on strengths and weaknesses of the source.  Citation of supporting evidence from the source A clear judgement on source trustworthiness

Source Stimulus Questions (Q. 5, 10 & 15) Areas which candidates found demanding Descriptive use of source information Lack of supporting evidence No overall judgement on trustworthiness

Source Stimulus Questions (Q. 5, 10 & 15) Advice for future presentations Ensure regular opportunity to critically evaluate complex political or social information Support evidence drawing source and knowledge and understanding Comment on source errors and omissions from the source if relevant. Offer clear judgement on source trustworthiness

Research Methods Questions (Q. 4, 9 & 14) Expect reference to the following: key ethical/practical aspects of using the research method evaluation of the suitability of research methods for researching [the] given scenario, contemporary/relevant evidence supporting knowledge about Social Science research methods a line of argument leading to an overall judgement (2016 AH Modern Studies Finalised Marking Instructions page 2)

Source Stimulus Questions (Q. 5, 10 & 15) Expect reference to the following: analysis of the source to identify key aspects* which affect validity/reliability evaluation of the reliability/validity of the source in the context of Social Science research, supported with contemporary/relevant evidence supporting knowledge about conducting Social Science research a line of argument leading to an overall judgement. (2016 AH Modern Studies Finalised Marking Instructions page 2)

Research Methods and Source Stimulus Questions Workshop 2: Activity Research Methods and Source Stimulus Questions Assessment criteria Analysis 6 marks Evaluation 6 marks Conclusion 3 marks

Workshop 3 The Dissertation

Dissertation Areas in which candidates performed well justifying an appropriate, complex, contemporary political/social issue using a wide range of sources of information organising, presenting and referencing findings using appropriate conventions

Dissertation Areas which candidates found demanding evaluating research methodology analysing the issue evaluating arguments and evidence synthesising evidence to structure and sustain a coherent line of argument leading to a conclusion, supported by evidence

Dissertation Advice for future presentations Ensure relevant hypothesis and aims Justify research methods/consider ethics and adaptations to be made Adopt a ‘house’ style of academic referencing

Workshop 3: Activity – Dissertation justifying an appropriate, complex, contemporary political/social issue (8 marks) evaluating research methodology (6 marks) using a wide range of sources of information (6 marks) analysing the issue (8 marks) evaluating arguments and evidence (8 marks) synthesising evidence to structure and sustain a coherent line of argument leading to a conclusion, supported by evidence (10 marks) organising, presenting and referencing findings using appropriate conventions (4 marks)

Plenary Q & A For any other questions or queries contact: Via SQA or millar74@virginmedia.com

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