Skill Area P: Planning
Programme of study requirements
Candidates should be taught to:
  1. use scientific knowledge and understanding to turn ideas into a form that can be investigated, and to plan an appropriate strategy

  2. decide whether to use evidence from first-hand experience or secondary sources
  3. carry out preliminary work and make predictions, where appropriate

  4. consider key factors that need to be taken into account when collecting evidence, and how evidence can be collected in contexts in which the variables cannot readily be controlled

  5. decide the extent and range of data to be collected, and the techniques, equipment and materials to use.


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 P.2a outline a simple procedure progressively harder tasks
4 marks P.4a plan to collect evidence which will be valid

P.4b plan the use of suitable equipment or sources of evidence
6 marks P.6a use scientific knowledge and understanding to plan and communicate a procedure, to identify key factors to vary, control or take into account, and to make a prediction where appropriate

P.6b decide a suitable extent and range of evidence to be collected
8 marks P.8a use detailed scientific knowledge and understanding to plan and communicate an appropriate strategy, taking into account the need to produce precise and reliable evidence, and to justify a prediction, when one has been made

P.8b use relevant information from preliminary work, where appropriate, to inform the plan

RGS coursework guidelines
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