Exemplar Candidate Work GEOGRAPHY

1 A LEVELH481 For first teaching in 2016 GEOGRAPHYH481/04/05 Summer 2018 examination seriesIndependent Investigation Exemplar 1 Coastal landscapesVersion 1 QualificationAccreditedExemplar Candidate Investigation Exemplar 12A Level GEOGRAPHY OCR 2019 ContentsIntroduction 3 Introducing the Independent Investigation 4 Independent Investigation marking commentary 5 Project work 7 Independent Investigation Exemplar 13A Level GEOGRAPHY OCR 2019 IntroductionThese Exemplar answers have been chosen from the summer 2018 examination is open to a wide variety of approaches and all answers are considered on their merits.

2 These exemplars, therefore, should not be seen as the only way to approach the assessment but do illustrate how the mark scheme has been always refer to the specification for full details of the assessment for this qualification. These Exemplar answers should also be read in conjunction with the June 2018 Examiners report or Report to Centres available from Interchange is important to note that approaches to question setting and marking will remain consistent. At the same time OCR reviews all its qualifications annually and may make small adjustments to improve the performance of its assessments. We will let you know of any substantive Investigation Exemplar 14A Level GEOGRAPHY OCR 2019 Introducing the Independent InvestigationThis a level resource has been produced to support teachers and learners with the Independent Investigation.

3 This resource includes a Candidate s investigation from the 2018 submission as well as a commentary from the Principal Moderator. The mark recording sheet is incorporated to support teachers in understanding how the marking criteria has been applied. This is one of four investigations which cover a variety of topic contexts, including Coastal Landscape Systems, Earth s Life Support Systems and Changing Spaces; Making Places. The Independent Investigations can be related to any area of the specification These investigations have been marked and moderated by centres which is reflected in the mark recording sheets. The specification explains that marking should be a best fit principle. The extent to which the work meets all of the requirements of a level descriptor will determine its placement within that level (page 58).

4 All of the investigations include mark recording sheets that have been annotated by the centres, this ensures an evidence base for marking and helps support moderation as it is clear why the Candidate has been awarded the mark. To support teachers with the Non-Exam Assessment (NEA) component, each centre will receive a Moderators Report which will focus on three key areas of feedback administration of the NEA, interpretation of the marking criteria and feedback on the moderated sample. This centre specific feedback can be used in conjunction with the Examiners Report for 2018 ( ). a level non-exam assessment (NEA) formsFor the purpose of marking (internal) and moderation (internal and external), the following three documents must be included with each Candidate s work: Independent investigation proposal form this must be signed by the teacher Mark recording sheet Candidate record form and centre declaration signed by the Candidate and of these documents can be found on the a level GEOGRAPHY page within Assessment and have a number of resources and CPD materials to support the Independent investigation and these include:Support resources: Independent Investigation outcomes Autumn 2018 ( ).

5 Joint Exam Board Frequently Asked Questions ( ) Guide to developing titles and completing the proposal form ( ) A student s guide to the Independent Investigation ( ) CPD Developing a deeper understanding of the a level Independent Investigation ( phpabihkmpcehicklnfcaaglpdcik) Tackling the Independent Investigation (https://www. dcpindncdphpabihkmpcehicklnfcaaagonojd) Independent Investigation Feedback and Effective Marking ( icklnfcaagloljcm)If you need any further support or advice then please don t hesitate to get in touch with the GEOGRAPHY Subject Advisor Investigation Exemplar 15A Level GEOGRAPHY OCR 2019 Independent Investigation marking commentaryProposal Form general comments The form has been fully completed and contains evidence of the Candidate s own ideas to make the investigation independent.

6 The location looks appropriate as are the links to the specification. The focus is broad ( processes is not clearly defined) and the teacher might well have asked how the planned investigation was going to answer such a wide-ranging focus. The data collection feels like the students is trying to do too much. Again, advice would be to go for depth, rather than range in terms of approaches so that reliability for example, can be discussed. This might allow a better idea of how much the conclusions can be Comments the centre has used evidence from the marking criteria in order to provide brief Teachers Comments . For some sections these could be fuller in order for the Moderator to better see the reasoning of the decisions.

7 In this particular work there is no evidence provided of internal 1: Planning, purpose and introduction. (Level 3 - 6 marks) The introduction page shows good evidence of selection of an independent topic, which the Candidate has provided a context and purpose for their investigation. The topic is broad and key questions are challenging, but achievable. Maps locate the North Wales location and in most instances this is precise and uses-geolocation technology in the form of Google Maps. The Candidate refers to geographical theory in a generalised manner, so this provides implicit evidence of literature research ( SMP), although there is no bibliography. Justification and contextualisation again is implied rather than being very obvious, but the Candidate moves towards L3 on this criterion.

8 The use of a clearer model, concept or idea would have been beneficial this could have come from a more thorough literature review to help frame the work more effectively. Section 2: Data, information collection methods and sampling framework. (Level 3 - 5 marks) The Candidate has used a very wide range of methodologies which on reflection perhaps should have been reduced to match better with the focus. For this Candidate , the use of a methodology table helped to give them structure. Description of the methodologies is mostly clear and personalisation is implicit. Perhaps the use of a pilot survey would have been beneficial. As with many studies, data design and especially sample size has not been given sufficient thought and can potentially restrict candidates from achieving more marks in L3.

9 There might have been the opportunity for use of secondary data to be identified at this stage, use of historic maps which appear later in the Investigation Exemplar 16A Level GEOGRAPHY OCR 2019 Section 3: Data presentation techniques. (Level 2 - 6 marks) There is some appropriate and selective presentation of the most influential data collected directly related to the investigation. The techniques used are mostly well selected, technically accurate and graphs produced with care in most instances. Some line graphs would be better as bars since the data is discrete rather than continuous. The range of data presentation techniques is appropriate and well selected, with good knowledge and understanding of the relevant techniques for representing results plainly to other readers.

10 Qualitative annotations of images however could be improved, leading to a more coherent analysis. Graphs would be improved if they carried individual figure numbers as they could be better integrated into the analysis. Section 4: Data analysis and explanation. (Level 3 - 7 marks) Data and information collected is analysed and interpreted in a relevant manner, with evidence of independence, demonstrating the knowledge and understanding of the techniques appropriate for analysing and explaining data and information. Statistical analysis and significance testing are absent, and the data collected could have provided opportunities for some additional quantitative analysis. The analysis and explanation are sometimes relevant and attempt to link to the stated aims.