The Dissertation
Advanced Higher
Modern Studies
Marks Allocation
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The dissertation is worth 45 Marks (the exam
is worth 90)
How the 45 marks are allocated:
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10 marks for introductory sections
25 marks for analysis and synthesis (main body of
dissertation)
10 marks for conclusions that address the
hypothesis.
Choosing a Hypothesis
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Select from the approved list
It should be ‘slightly’ controversial
It is a statement which is to be proved or disproved
It encourages you to consider the other factors and
weigh them up, e.g. “Bad parenting is the main
cause of youth crime.”
You must now examine bad parenting AND the other
factors which cause youth crime and decide in order
to ‘test’ your hypothesis.
Research questions
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These are designed to help you ‘test’ (i.e. prove or
disprove) the hypothesis
They break the research down into specific areas.
For the bad parenting hypothesis you might ask:
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What are the causes of youth crime?
To what extent is there a link between bad parenting and
youth crime?
To what extent is there a link between drugs/alcohol and
youth crime?
To what extent is there a link between educational
attainment and youth crime?
The introduction – 10 Marks
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Crucial to ‘setting the scene’ – first
impression
Clearly state the hypothesis and research
questions explaining the connection between
them (always relate your research back to
the hypothesis)
Summarise your research methods
The Main Body – 25 marks
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3 – 4 main chapters (based on research questions)
Analysis is indicated by words and phrases such as:
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“it can, therefore be concluded…”
“It is clearly not the case that….”
“from this is can be concluded that…”
Synthesis is when you draw from several different
sources to arrive at a conclusion e.g. a statistical
source and an academic paper or book
It is recommended that you have sub-conclusions at
the end of each chapter
How to get 25/25 for the main body
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An approach that is analytical and not
descriptive
clear and coherent argument that is fully
developed
supporting evidence that has been critically
appraised and attributed
analysis/synthesis that provide clear links
with hypothesis/research questions
Overall conclusion(s) – 10 marks
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Marks include for sub-conclusions as well as
the main conclusion
The conclusions MUST be:
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based on the evidence collected
Valid
Detailed
Relevant
Directly linked to the hypothesis
Research Methods
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Crucial to the dissertation
Be described in some depth
Their use must be justified
Not included in the word count if contained in
an appendix