Higher Modern Studies Assignment
• Worth 30 marks out of a total of
90 for the course – 33% of grade
• The marks gained for the
assignment will be added to the
marks gained in the question
paper (final exam) to give an
overall grade for the course
Higher Modern Studies Assignment
• Identify an issue (should be an issue on
which there are alternative views)
• Research chosen topic using various sources
• Analyse and synthesise information from a
range of sources
• Evaluate the usefulness and reliability of
sources
• Reach a decision
• Show detailed knowledge and understanding
of the issue to support decision
• Show an awareness of alternatives to
decision (different views)
• Communicate information in a report
format
Higher Modern Studies Assignment
• Two stages:
1. Research stage – 8 hours
• Identifying issue, collecting evidence, analysing,
synthesising and evaluating information, reaching a
decision. 6 sources of evidence.
2. Production of evidence stage – 1.5 hours
(Exam Conditions)
• During this, only have access to specified resources
(research evidence) which is material collected during
research stage on up to two single-sided sheets of A4
Higher Modern Studies Assignment
• Production of evidence is completed
independently (on your own!) although teachers
can provide “reasonable assistance”, such as:
1. Showing candidates the instructions for
assignment
2. Clarifying instructions
3. Advice on choice of issue
4. Advice on sources to use
5. Arranging visits to gather evidence
6. Checking progress regularly
How marks are awarded…
A. Showing knowledge and understanding of chosen
issue and awareness of alternative views – up to
10 marks
B. Analysing and synthesising information from
various sources including use of research
evidence – up to 10 marks
C. Evaluating the usefulness and reliability of
sources of information – up to 2 marks
D. Communicating evidence in a report format – up
to 4 marks
E. Reaching a decision, supported by evidence – up
to 4 marks
Research Evidence
• No more than 2 sides of A4…information included could
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Evidence/data from primary or secondary research
Bullet points/headings
Mind-maps
Statistical, graphical or numerical data
Survey results
Interview questions and/or answers
Questionnaire and/or results
List of internet search engine results
Newspaper article or extracts
Summary notes taken from a visit or talk
Summary notes taken from a written or audio-visual
source
Choosing my Sources
• Choose between three and six sources.
• Use sources such as newspaper reports, public
opinion surveys, pie charts/bar graphs, notes
from a DVD, interview notes, response to a
letter/email.
• Make sure you use a variety of text and
statistical sources.
• The sources that you use must be RELEVANT to
your topic.
• It is important to note the ORIGIN of your
source.
• For example dates, authors, titles of reports,
TV channel first aired etc.
Possible Topics – Social Issues
in the UK Make sure the problem
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The Welfare State in the UK
Obesity in Scotland
Alcohol in Scotland
Smoking in Scotland
Child Poverty
Gender Inequality in Society
Racial Inequality in Society
Unemployment in the UK
Social Exclusion
you identify is one
where there are
several different
views which can lead to
different decisions
Possible Topics – Three Courses
of Action
The Welfare State in the UK
Option 1- Benefits for all
Option 2-Means Tested Benefits
Option 3-Scrap the benefits system
Obesity in Scotland
Option 1-Tax fatty foods/ drinks
Option 2-Free healthy school meals for all
Option 3-Government subsidised fruit and veg
Alcohol in Scotland
Option 1-Minimum pricing on alcohol
Option 2-Increase age to 21
Option 3-More government information campaigns
Smoking in Scotland
Option 1-Increase the price of cigarettes
Option 2-Increase age to 21
Option 3-Reduce cigarette advertising
Possible Topics – Three Courses
of Action
Child Poverty
Option1- Free school meals for all
Option 2- Increased nursery hours
Option 3- Child benefit should be universal
Gender Inequality in Society
Option1- 50:50 policy
Option 2- Increase in the national minimum wage
Option 3- Free childcare up to the end of primary school
Racial Inequality in Society
Option1- Introduce affirmative action policies
Option 2- Increased racial awareness schemes in schools
Option 3-Tougher penalties for organisations for not implementing the Equality Act
Unemployment in the UK
Option1- More training programmes for unemployed youths
Option 2- Get rid of zero hour contracts
Option 3-Cut benefits
Social Exclusion
Option1- More vocational education
Option 2- Increase benefits
Option 3- Increase the national minimum wage
Possible Topics – Three Courses of
Action
Democracy
Scottish Independence
Option1- Independence
Option 2-Scotland remains part of the union
Option 3-Devo Max
The House of Lords
Option 1-Elect the House of Lords
Option 2-Disband the House of Lords
Option 3-Keep the existing arrangement
Increase voter turnout
Option 1-Introduce compulsory voting
Option 2-Decrease the age to 16
Option 3-More campaigns to increase turnout
The Influence of the Media
Option 1-More control over the media
Option 2-Less control over the media
Option 3-Level of influence of the media to stay the same
Possible Topics – Three Courses of
Action
The USA
Illegal Immigration
Option 1- Tighter border control
Option 2-Amnesty to illegals
Option 3-Guest worker programme
Health care in the USA
Option 1-The Affordable Care Act
Option 2- Free universal healthcare
Option 3-Individual responsibility
Political Participation in the USA
Option 1-Vote or Die/ Rock the Vote
Option 2-Compulsary voting
Option 3-More ethnic minority candidates
Information from John
McTaggart
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Showing knowledge and understanding of chosen issue and awareness of
alterative views – up to 10 marks I see this as straightforward KU of
the issues, presented a bit like we currently do for the current DME
Analysing and synthesising information from various sources including
use of research evidence – up to 10 marks Again, like we currently do,
using a range of sources and synthesising them
Evaluating the usefulness and reliability of sources of information – up
to 2 marks Comments on validity, reliability, bias, agenda, professional
status, opinionated, official report. That kind of thing. A bit like what
we do with the AH. This Source was useful because or not so useful
because. This source was quite reliable because. However,.. that kind of
thing
Communicating evidence in a report format – up to 4 marks Like we do
just now, Structure, intro, subheadings, conclusion
Reaching a decision, supported by evidence – up to 4 marks Like we do
now, supported by evidence from sources
Pupils shouldn’t write too much on the planning sheet and simply copying
things from the planning sheet on to the write up will get few if any
marks.