A2 Applied Science Assessment Criteria
A2 Unit 8 Applied Scientific Communication Applied Science Assessment Criteria
Your portfolio should demonstrate your appreciation of the work of others in the field of scientific journalism and communication.
You will consider two different issues
- an environmental
- an application of science
Your portfolio should contain a reflective diary based on your work.
You need to
- Produce a detailed list of resources.
- Produce two articles/ pieces of work written for
- a scientific magazine
- a non scientific audience
- Evaluate the impact of this work upon the target audience.
The objectives for ‘Application of skills, knowledge and understanding’ are considered over the whole unit, whilst the objectives ‘Demonstrating knowledge and understanding’ and ‘Experimentation and investigation’ are considered separately for both issues. The detail of the assessment is as follows:
For the reflective diary:
Assessment Objective / Assessment Objective Criteria / Possible examples of unit content (if applicable) / Low / Level of ResponseCandidates should / High / Candidate mark
AO1 / (c) Information & Presentation / Clearly present and logically explain the chosen resources. / select information and present it clearly, occasionally using the correct form and /or the use of language
3 marks / select relevant information and present it clearly and logically, usually using the correct form with the correct use of language
6 marks / select relevant information, present it clearly and logically, and then evaluate and justify it, Consistently use the correct form and /or the use of language.
9 marks
AO2 / (c) Data Handling / Evaluate the reliability, accuracy and authoritative nature of the resources. / describe and give limited interpretations of
quantitative and qualitative scientific data
2 mark / describe and interpret quantitative and qualitative scientific data
4 marks / describe, interpret and evaluate quantitative and qualitative data;
6 marks
(d) Scientific Issues / Evaluate the resources considering ethical issues and additionally economic, social, technological, educational and cultural constraints. / describe issues arising from scientific activities which impact on society
1 mark / identify and describe issues arising from scientific activities, which impact on society
2 marks / identify and explain issues arising from scientific activities, which impact on society
3 marks
(e) Calculations and answers / Statistical analysis of data from the population to determine the fitness for purpose of one of the articles/pieces for the target audience / carry out complex calculations, sometimes obtaining incorrect or imprecise solutions
1 mark / carry out complex calculations obtaining correct solutions
2 marks / carry out complex calculations, obtaining correct solutions to an appropriate degree of accuracy.
3marks
Total / 21
For the Application of Science Issue:
Assessment Objective / Assessment Objective Criteria / Possible examples of unit content (if applicable) / Low / Level of Response / High / Candidate mark /3AO1 / (a) Knowledge & Understanding / In the reflective diary a description of resources from a variety of sources, both internet and non-internet, including literature from books and journals. / demonstrate basic knowledge and understanding of the science. There may be significant omissions
1 mark / demonstrate good knowledge and understanding of the science with few omissions
2 marks / demonstrate detailed knowledge and understanding of the science with no significant omissions from most parts of the specification
3 marks
(b) Terminology & Conventions / Suitable and logical presentation of references
(e.g. Harvard system) / use basic scientific terminology and conventions in some of their work
1 mark / use correct scientific terminology and conventions in most of their work
2 marks / use scientific terminology and conventions
accurately in all their work
3 marks
AO2 / (b) Apply science / Demonstrate in the articles/pieces the application of science / apply scientific facts and principles to familiar situations
1 mark / apply scientific facts and principles to familiar
situations and some success to unfamiliar ones
2 marks / apply scientific facts and principles to both familiar and unfamiliar situations
3 marks
AO3 / (a) Risk Assessments / When surveying fulfilment of the confidentiality and consent required by the Data Protection Act. / use risk assessments
1 mark / produce and use risk assessments with some guidance
2 marks / produce comprehensive risk assessments, consistent with the Data Protection Act guidelines
3 marks
(b) Safety & Accuracy / Preparation and administration of the questionnaire to achieve both quality and accuracy of the data. / carry out given tasks safely using a range of techniques and equipment
1 mark / carry out given tasks safely using a range of techniques and equipment, but requires guidance with accuracy
2 marks / carry out given tasks safely, using a range of techniques and equipment with an appropriate degree of accuracy
3 marks
(c) Measurements & Processing / Analysis and processing of images, explanatory diagrams, tables, and graphs for presentation in the articles to develop scientific understanding. / make and record some relevant observations and measurements
1 mark / make and record relevant observations and measurements and process these with inappropriate precision
2 marks / make and record relevant observations and
measurements with appropriate precision and process these accurately
3 marks
(d) Interpret results / Evaluation of the data assessingthe impact of the articles (to includea sustained interest in the issue or a proactive involvement. / provide, with guidance, some interpretation of their results in terms of their scientific knowledge and understanding.
1 mark / interpret and draw a simple (limited) conclusion, in terms of their scientific knowledge and understanding, and consistent with the evidence
2 marks / interpret results and draw detailed conclusions, consistent with the evidence, discussing their significance.
3 marks
Total / 21
For the Environmental issue:
Assessment Objective / Assessment Objective Criteria / Possible examples of unit content (if applicable) / Low / Level of Response / High / Candidate mark /3AO1 / (a) Knowledge & Understanding / Description of resources from a variety of sources, both internet and non-internet, including literature from books and journals. / demonstrate basic knowledge and understanding of the science. There may be significant omissions
1 mark / demonstrate good knowledge and understanding of the science with few omissions
2 marks / demonstrate detailed knowledge and understanding of the science with no significant omissions from most parts of the specification
3 marks
(b) Terminology & Conventions / Suitable and logical presentation of references
(e.g. Harvard system) / use basic scientific terminology and conventions in some of their work
1 mark / use correct scientific terminology and conventions in most of their work
2 marks / use scientific terminology and conventions
accurately in all their work
3 marks
AO2 / (a) Interpret & Explain / In the articles/pieces demonstrate interpretation of the resources to explain the scientific issue. / describe phenomena and effects using scientific principles
1 mark / describe and explain phenomena and effects using scientific principles
2 marks / describe, interpret and explain phenomena and effects using scientific principles
3 marks
AO3 / (a) Risk Assessments / When surveying fulfilment of the confidentiality and consent required by the Data Protection Act. / use risk assessments
1 mark / produce and use risk assessments with some guidance
2 marks / produce comprehensive risk assessments, consistent with CLEAPSS (Consortium of Local Education Authorities for the Provision of Science Services) guidelines
3 marks
(b) Safety & Accuracy / Preparation and administration of the questionnaire to achieve both quality and accuracy of the data. / carry out given tasks safely using a range of techniques and equipment
1 mark / carry out given tasks safely using a range of techniques and equipment, but requires guidance with accuracy
2 marks / carry out given tasks safely, using a range of techniques and equipment with an appropriate degree of accuracy
3 marks
(c) Measurements & Processing / Analysis and processing of images, explanatory diagrams, tables, and graphs for presentation in the articles to develop scientific understanding. / make and record some relevant observations and measurements
1 mark / make and record relevant observations and measurements and process these with inappropriate precision
2 marks / make and record relevant observations and
measurements with appropriate precision and process these accurately
3 marks
(d) Interpret results / Evaluation of the data assessingthe impact of the articles (to includea sustained interest in the issue or a proactive involvement. / provide, with guidance, some interpretation of their results in terms of their scientific knowledge and understanding.
2 mark / interpret and draw a simple (limited) conclusion, in terms of their scientific knowledge and understanding, and consistent with the evidence
4 marks / interpret results and draw detailed conclusions, consistent with the evidence, discussing their significance.
6 marks
Total / 24