AN EXAMPLE OF A MIDDLE PASS AT THE FOUNDATION LEVEL
Binge drinking in Ruthin (Wales)
and Italy.
Learning outcomes.
The candidate should
be able to:
Assessment Criteria
(In assessing the criteria, please adopt a 'best fit’
approach)
Good
Middle
Bare
The candidate had achieved this outcome because they
have
Plan, carry out and
complete the
individual
Investigation.
demonstrated they can with support:
(i) identify an appropriate topic and title, including
reference to at least one perspective i.e.
local/Wales or other country or region;
(ii) use appropriate methods to help them to plan,
carry out and complete their Investigation.
Identify, select and
use relevant
information from
sources.
demonstrated they can:
(i) identify, select and reference some relevant
sources including reference to at least one
perspective i.e. local/Wales or other country or
region
(ii) identify, select and use some relevant primary
and secondary information.
Present the findings
of the individual
Investigation.
demonstrated they can:
(i) present the findings in an appropriate way;
(ii) use some basic skills and techniques;
(iii) show a basic knowledge and understanding of
the topic or issue investigated;
(iv) include coverage of at least one perspective
i.e. local/Wales or other country or region.
Draw conclusions
based on the
findings of the
Individual
Investigation and
reflect on their own
performance
demonstrated they can:
(i) draw some basic conclusions about the work
completed, including reference to at least one
perspective i.e. local/Wales or other country or
region;
(ii) comment on the strengths and weaknesses of
their own performance.
N.B. This is an example of a Middle Pass in the Individual Investigation at the Foundation level.
The work has been assessed as Bare in meeting the requirements of Planning, Good for use of
Sources, Middle for presentation and Bare for Conclusion/evaluation. It was decided that a Middle
Pass was the best-fit overall. Comments on the work in relation to the assessment criteria are
included. Where comments relate to specific assessment criteria a key is used as follows:
Pl = Planning; S = Use of sources; Pr = Presentation; C = Conclusion/evaluation.
An overall summary of the assessment of this Individual Investigation is included at the back.
Fail
An appropriate topic and title is chosen based on a local
and Italian perspective. May have been better to focus
on an Italian town but does work as a title. P (i)
Relevant
information
is selected,
giving a
very good
general
coverage of
the topic.
Pl (ii) Pr (iv)
Evidence of basic planning is very limited. The time plan mentioned is not
included. A Bare Pass can just about be awarded for planning based on what
little is provided initially and evidence found progressively as the work is
completed e.g. there is evidence that the research was carried out in planned
stages. P (i)(ii)
A sufficient number of relevant sources are
identified, selected and referenced. The
bibliography lists a small number of internet
websites and the questionnaire provides a lot
of information. S (i) (ii)
Good basic
knowledge,
understanding
and coverage
of the topic.
Pr (iii) (iv)
Useful questions have
been planned and
selected as the basis of
the survey. S (ii)
The questionnaire is
an example of the
successful use of
basic skills and
techniques. Pr (ii)
The sample size
(more than 40) is
adequate and the
results are clearly
displayed in the bar
charts.
Pr (ii)
NB Candidate does not comment on their own performance in this section but there is limited evidence of this elsewhere.
Relevant
information
is selected
about Italy.
Referencing
of sources
would have
been more
effective had
it been done
progressively
rather than
just in the
bibliography.
S (i)
N.B. Candidate does not comment on their own performance in this section
but there is limited evidence of this elsewhere e.g. when commenting on the
completion of the questionnaire. C (ii)
Some useful conclusions drawn about the topic. There may
be some limitations, but the main points are covered. The
candidate also draws conclusions as the work progresses.
Limited evidence of commenting on the strengths and
weaknesses of their own performance reduces the
assessment in this section to Bare Pass. C (i) (ii)
Summary
Planning
Evidence of basic planning is very limited. The time plan mentioned is not
included. A Bare Pass can just about be awarded for planning based on what
little is provided initially and evidence found progressively as the work is
completed e.g. there is evidence that the research was carried out in planned
stages.
Use of Sources
Useful sources are identified and relevant information is selected from them and
used appropriately. The sources provide good coverage of the topic area and
are referenced. It would have been more effective to reference the sources
progressively and not just in the bibliography. The questionnaire is well
designed. The results shown using straightforward bar charts provide useful
evidence and although the skills are limited they are generally commensurate
with what should be expected at this level. Overall a Good Pass is the best-fit
for use of sources.
Presentation
Findings are generally presented in a clear, suitable and organised way. Skills
and techniques used are limited in range but appropriate and mostly effective.
The knowledge, understanding and coverage of the topic area and issue is
good, although the focus on a Welsh town and the country of Italy is not wholly
appropriate or effective. Overall a Middle Pass provides the best-fit for this
section.
Conclusion
Conclusions drawn, especially as the work progresses are impressive for this
level. However comment s relating to the candidate’s own performance are not
included directly or by design, appearing only sporadically and incidentally as
part of the main work. A Bare Pass provides the best-fit overall.