Skill Area A: Analysing and considering evidence

Programme of study requirements

Candidates should be taught to:

use diagrams, tables, charts and graphs, and identify and explain patterns or relationships in data
present the results of calculations to an appropriate degree of accuracy
use observations, measurements or other data to draw conclusions
explain to what extent these conclusions support any predictions made, and enable further predictions to be made
use scientific knowledge and understanding to explain and interpret observations, measurements or other data, and conclusions.

Mark description
The mark descriptions are designed to be hierarchical. All work should be assessed in the context of the specification content.
Candidates:		Increasing demand of activity
2 marks	A.2a state simply what is shown by the evidence
4 marks	A.4a use simple diagrams, charts or graphs as a basis for explaining the evidence A.4b identify trends and patterns in the evidence
6 marks	A.6a construct and use suitable diagrams, charts, graphs (with lines of best fit, where appropriate), or use numerical methods, to process evidence for a conclusion A.6b draw a conclusion consistent with the evidence and explain it using scientific knowledge and understanding
8 marks	A.8a use detailed scientific knowledge and understanding to explain a valid conclusion drawn from processed evidence A.8b explain the extent to which the conclusion supports the prediction, if one has been made