SELECTIVE IN THE USE OF FACTS Standard Grade Modern Studies Credit Level Enquiry Skills

What will I learn? What is meant be the term ‘selective in the use of facts’? How to complete a Credit level selective in the use of facts question.

Selective in the use of facts questions ONLY appear in the CREDIT paper. The SQA says that this type of question is the poorest answered in the exam. It is difficult – but you will get there by practising! Remember it is the difference between a 1 and a 2!

Whenever people express an opinion on an issue, they usually base their view on some facts or evidence they have, which they believe is proof that they are right. However, people are selective in their use of facts ‘when they choose certain facts and figures to support their viewpoint, but ignore those facts which might prove them wrong’. In the Standard Grade Credit Modern Studies exam, you will need to work out when/if the person making a statement is being SELECTIVE IN THE USE OF FACTS. Basically, you will have to work out what part(s) of the statement are correct and incorrect.

2011 Credit Question 4(c) Look at page 22 and 23 of the 2011 exam paper (available on SQA website) There is lots of detail BUT don’t be put off – we will work through it in stages. Read the view of Ruby McClay. It is split into 3 sentences. For each sentence, work out if the evidence in the sources shows it to be correct or incorrect.

The statement “it is obvious that increasing aid always reduces poverty in African countries” is incorrect. (1 mark) In all the countries shown there has been an increase in the amount of aid given between 2003 and 2008 (source 3). However, this has not created a reduction in poverty in four out of the five. Ethiopia is the only country to have experienced a fall in poverty during this period (source 1). (2 marks)

Ruby is also incorrect when she says “it is also a fact that most countries with increasing debt are unable to reduce the problem of HIV/AIDS”. (3 marks) Source 3 shows that debt is increasing in Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. However, only Botswana has shown an increase in the percentage of adults living with HIV/AIDS (source 1). The other three have all seen a decrease in the percentage of adults living with HIV/AIDS. (4 marks)

However, Ruby is correct when she says “However, despite these problems, education in the majority of African countries has improved”. (5 marks) Source 2 clearly shows that education has improved in most countries. There have been improvements in education in Lesotho (increasing spending to 13% GDP); in Botswana where literacy rates have increased from 80% to 84% and in Swaziland where literacy rates have also increased (74% to 81%). Only Zimbabwe has not shown an improvement in education. (6 marks)

At the end of your answer, you MUST reach a conclusion on the EXTENT TO WHICH the person has been selective in their use of facts. Eg. To a large extent, small extent, partially selective. Your conclusion will depend on the number of statements that are correct and incorrect. – eg if 2 statements are correct and 2 are incorrect = partially selective.

Overall, Ruby was correct in one statement and incorrect in the other two. (7 marks) Therefore, she was being very selective in her use of facts. (8 marks)

Don’t Worry! You will now try a selective in the use of facts question yourself. Don’t worry if you find it difficult – you have until the end of S4 to master these skills. The questions won’t get any more difficult!