Level descriptor 2023 new program Marks

Research design
This criterion assesses the extent to which the student effectively communicates the methodology (purpose and practice) used to address the research question.
0 1–2 3–4 5–6
The The research question is stated The research question is outlined within a The research question is described within a
report without context. broad context. specific and appropriate context.
does not
Methodological considerations Methodological considerations associated with Methodological considerations
reach the
associated with collecting data relevant to the collecting relevant and sufficient data to answer the associated with collecting relevant and
standard.
research question are stated. research question are described. sufficient data to answer the research
question are explained.
The description of the methodology The description of the methodology for The description of the methodology
for collecting or selecting data lacks the detail collecting or selecting data allows for the investigation for collecting or selecting data allows for the
to allow for the investigation to be to be reproduced with few ambiguities or omissions. investigation to be reproduced.
reproduced.
Data analysis
assesses the extent to which the student’s report provides evidence that the student has recorded, processed and presented the data in ways that are relevant to the research Q
0 1–2 3–4 5–6
The The recording and processing of the data is The communication of the recording and processing of The communication of the recording and
report communicated but is neither clear nor the data is either clear or precise. processing of the data is both clear and
does not precise. precise.
reach a The recording and processing of data shows The recording and processing of data shows evidence The recording and processing of data shows
standard limited evidence of the consideration of of a consideration of uncertainties but with some evidence of an appropriate consideration of
described uncertainties. significant omissions or inaccuracies. uncertainties.
by the Some processing of data relevant to The processing of data relevant to addressing the The processing of data relevant to
descriptor addressing the research question is carried research question is carried out but with some addressing the research question is carried
s below. out but with major omissions, inaccuracies or significant omissions, inaccuracies or inconsistencies. out appropriately and accurately.
inconsistencies.
Conclusion
This criterion assesses the extent to which the student successfully answers their research question with regard to their analysis and the accepted scientific context.
0 1–2 3–4 5–6
The • A conclusion is stated that is relevant to the • A conclusion is described that is relevant to the • A conclusion is justified that is relevant to
report research question but is not research question but is not fully consistent with the the research question and fully
does not supported by the analysis presented. analysis presented. consistent with the analysis presented.
reach a • The conclusion makes superficial • A conclusion is described that makes some relevant • A conclusion is justified through relevant
standard comparison to the accepted scientific context. comparison to the accepted scientific context. comparison to the accepted scientific context.
Evaluation
This criterion assesses the extent to which the student’s report provides evidence of evaluation of the investigation methodology and has suggested improvements.
0 1–2 3–4 5–6
The • The report states generic methodological • The report describes specific methodological • The report explains the relative impact of
report weaknesses or limitations weaknesses or limitations. specific methodological weaknesses or
does not limitations.
reach a • Realistic improvements to the investigation • Realistic improvements to the investigation that are • Realistic improvements to the investigation,
standard are stated. relevant to the identified that are relevant to the identified
 weaknesses or limitations, are described. weaknesses or limitations, are explained.

clarifications
Research design Data analysis Conclusion Evaluation
RQ with context-contain dependent and Data refers to quantitative data or a A conclusion that is fully consistent Generic is general to many
independent variables or two correlated variables, combination of both quantitative and requires the interpretation of methodologies and not
include a concise description of the system in qualitative data. processed data including specifically relevant to the
which the research question is embedded and Communication associated methodology of the
include background theory of direct relevance. • Clear communication means that uncertainties. investigation being evaluated.
Methodological considerations include: the method of processing can be Scientific context refers to Methodological refers to the
-the selection of the methods for measuring understood easily. information that could come from overall approach to the
the dependent and independent variables • Precise communication refers to published material (paper or investigation of the research
-the selection of the databases or model following conventions correctly, such online), question as well as
and the sampling of data as those relating to the annotation of published values, course notes, procedural steps.
-the decisions regarding the scope, quantity graphs and tables or the use of units, textbooks or other outside sources. Weaknesses could relate to
and quality of measurements (e.g. the range, decimal places and significant The citation of published materials issues regarding the control of
interval or frequency of the independent variable, figures. must be sufficiently detailed to variables, the precision of
repetition and precision of measurements) Consideration of uncertainties is allow these sources to be measurement or the
-the identification of control variables and subject specific and further guidance traceable. variation in the data.
the choice of method of their control is given in the Biology teacher Limitations could refer to how
-the recognition of any safety, ethical or support material. the conclusion is limited in
environmental issues that needed to be taken into Major omissions, inaccuracies or scope by the range of the data
account. inconsistencies impede the possibility collected, the
The description of the methodology refers to of drawing a valid conclusion that confines of the system or the
presenting sufficiently detailed information (such as addresses the research question. applicability of assumptions
specific materials used and precise procedural Significant omissions, inaccuracies or made.
steps) while avoiding unnecessary or repetitive inconsistencies allow the possibility
information, so that the reader may readily of drawing a conclusion that
understand how the methodology was implemented addresses the research question but
and could in principle repeat the investigation. with some limit to its validity or detail.