Added Value in
Modern Studies
Step One:
Choosing your issue
What’s ‘Added Value’?
• In every National Qualification course there is an element of ‘Added Value’ (AV). The
SQA states that the AV in a course is what ‘makes the Course more than the sum of
its parts’.
National 4
•
A separate Unit of work
• Assessed internally by your
teacher
• Benchmarked against the
relevant Outcome and
Assessment Standards
(see www.sqa.org)
• You must use at least two
different sources of
evidence
National 5
•
Assessed by a Question
Paper, completed under
exam conditions in your
school
• Externally marked Not a
separate Unit of work
• You must evaluate at least
two Research Methods
you have used
Step 1:
Step 5:
Writing up
your findings
Choosing your topic /
issue
Step 2:
Brainstorming
your ideas
The Added Value
Process
Step 5:
Step 3:
Conducting your
research
Choosing your research
question
Step 4:
Selecting your
research methods
National 4
Unit: Democracy in Scotland
& the United Kingdom
Outcome 1
Use a limited range of sources of information
to detect and explain bias and exaggeration
relating to democracy in the Scottish and
United Kingdom political systems
Outcome 2
Draw on a straightforward knowledge and
understanding of democracy in the Scottish
and United Kingdom political systems
National 4
National 5
Unit: Democracy in Scotland and
& United Kingdom
Outcome 1
Use a range of sources of information to detect and
explain exaggeration and selective use of facts
relating to democracy in the Scottish and United
Kingdom political systems
Outcome 2
Draw on a detailed knowledge and understanding of
democracy in the Scottish and United Kingdom
political systems
National 5
Modern Studies: Social Issues in the United
Kingdom (National 4)
Outcome 1
Use a limited range of sources of information to
make and justify decisions about social issues in the
United Kingdom, focusing on either social
inequality or crime and the law
Outcome 2
Draw on a straightforward knowledge and
understanding of social issues in the United
Kingdom, focusing on either social inequality or
crime and the law
Modern Studies: Social Issues in the
United Kingdom (National 5)
Outcome 1
Use a range of sources of information to make
and justify decisions about social issues in the
United Kingdom, focusing on either social
inequality or crime and the law
Outcome 2
Draw on a detailed knowledge and understanding
of social issues in the United Kingdom, focusing
on either social inequality or crime and the law
Modern Studies: International Issues
(National 4)
Outcome 1
Use a limited range of sources of information to
draw and support conclusions about international
issues, focusing on either a major world power or
a significant world issue
Outcome 2
Draw on a straightforward knowledge and
understanding of international issues, focusing on
either a major world power or a significant world
issue
Modern Studies: International Issues
(National 5)
Outcome 1
Use a range of sources of information to draw and
support conclusions about international issues, focusing
on either a major world power or a significant world
issue
Outcome 2
Draw on a detailed knowledge and understanding of
international issues, focusing on either a major world
power or a significant world issue
So, what are you interested in?
• Once you have decided which Unit you are
most interested in, the next step is to decide on
the issue or topic you want to research.
• You should discuss your ideas and interests with
your peers and teacher as there may well be
others researching in your field of interest.
• Alternatively, you may wish to research an issue
which no one else has selected. You should
speak to your teacher if this is the case.
Remember – there needs to be enough evidence
available for you to carry out any research – so
try not to pick an obscure topic!
How will you select your issue?
Deciding on your issue or topic isn’t easy. Here
are some questions to consider:
• Which Unit will you focus on?
• Does the issue interest you?
• Do you want to find out more about the issue?
• Does it make you think about challenging questions that
involve controversy or are open to more than one opinion?