1. Today we will…
Identify the information handling questions which will be assessed in Higher Modern Studies.

2. Success Criteria
Using sources I can make a judgement as to the extent of accuracy given to a statement.
I can demonstrate how to answer this type of question.

3. Look at the specimen question:
Objectivity
In this type of question you have to interpret and evaluate up to three complex sources of information detecting and explaining the extent of objectivity.
If you are deciding how objective a statement is, you are being asked to decide how accurate it is and whether it lacks bias or not.
Look at the specimen question:
To what extent is it accurate to state that the televised debates had a significant impact on voting intentions. (8)

4. What you need to do is find evidence which supports the view and evidence that does not support the view.
In pairs highlight the information in the sources which SUPPORTS the statement in ONE COLOUR
Highlight the information in the sources which DOES NOT SUPPORT the statement in a DIFFERENT COLOUR

5. Writing your Answer
You can get up to 6 marks for the use of sources of evidence.
You have to show both sides i.e. how the evidence supports the view and how it does not.
For each side of the argument you must give three different pieces of evidence and you must synthesise or link the source information.
You are also credited up to 2 marks for any comment/ analysis of the origin and reliability of sources.
Up to 2 marks are also available for an overall judgement as to the extent of accuracy/objectivity of the view.
In order to get full marks you MUST make an overall judgement as to the extent of accuracy of the given statement.
You MUST refer to all sources in your answer

6. How to write your answer
The statement is accurate to an extent because in Source A it states that an Ipsos MORI poll revealed that 60% of voters felt the debates would help them decide who to vote for. Link to source B - before the first live debate 14% of voters indicated that they would not vote for the main parties, however, following the leaders’ initial performances this had decreased to 8% and the Liberal Democrats share of the vote increased by 9%. (2 marks)
In addition to this, in Source A it states that an independent polling organisation found over a million voters (4% of voters) altered the way they would vote. Link to source B - before the first debate Conservatives had a 5% lead over Labour which disappeared following the leaders’ first performance. (2 marks)

7. How to write your answer
However, the information in Source A also shows that the televised debates had little impact on voting intentions. Only 12% said the survey changed their minds about who to vote for. Link to source B- which shows that there was very little change in percentages for Labour and Conservative of voters who claimed that they would vote for them in a General election and there is no evidence to say that it was the debate that changed people’s minds.
( 2 marks)

8. How to write your answer
For full marks, you MUST make and overall judgement to the extent of accuracy, e.g.
Overall the evidence clearly shows that the debate may have had some impact on voting intentions, however it was not a big enough impact to change the result of the election. Sources A and B show that people that said they would vote for the Lib Dems increased substantially and that the Conservative Party’s lead in the polls reduced.
However, the sources also show that the vast majority of people did not change their minds as a result of the televised debate which suggests that perhaps it is an exaggeration to say that the debate had a significant impact. (2 marks)

9. Origin/ Reliability of Sources
You can also be credited for making a comment/evaluation of the origin and reliability of the sources.
For example:
Source A- ‘Various’
Reliability of statistics from the British Electoral Study 2010
Independent company survey
Source B
Ipsos MORI
What are the advantages and disadvantages of these methods?

10. How to write your answer
Origin/Reliability
The origin of the sources may also have an impact upon the accuracy of the information. For example in source A various sources are used. It makes reference to an independent survey that was carried out however the reliability could be questioned as there is no information on the size of the sample for the survey. On the other hand, some information has been gathered by Ipsos MORI, and they are a widely respected polling organisation, making them more reliable. (2 marks)

11. Structure of answer…
Evidence that shows that the statement is objective (accurate/balanced).
Evidence that shows the statement is not objective (biased/exaggerated/untrue).
Overall comment about how objective the statement is.
Comment on origin/reliability of sources.

12. Was I successful?
Using sources I can make a judgement as to the extent of accuracy given to a statement.
I can demonstrate how to answer this type of question.