This criterion assesses the extent to which the student's report provides evidence of evaluation of the investigation and the results with regard to the research question and the accepted scientific context.
| Mark | Descriptor |
| 0 | The student's report does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below. |
| 1-2 | A conclusion is outlined which is not relevant to the research question
or is not supported by the data presented. The conclusion makes superficial comparison to the accepted scientific context. Strengths and weaknesses of the investigation, such as limitations of the data and sources of error, are outlined but are restricted to an account of the practical or procedural issues faced. The student has outlined very few realistic and relevant suggestions for the improvement and extension of the investigation. |
| 3-4 | A conclusion is described which is relevant to the research question and
supported by the data presented. A conclusion is described which makes some relevant comparison to the accepted scientific context. Strengths and weaknesses of the investigation, such as limitations of the data and sources of error, are described and provide evidence of some awareness of the methodological issues involved in establishing the conclusion. The student has described some realistic and relevant suggestions for the improvement and extension of the investigation. |
| 5-6 | A detailed conclusion is described and justified which is entirely relevant
to the research question and fully supported by the data presented. A conclusion is correctly described and justified through relevant comparison to the accepted scientific context. Strengths and weaknesses of the investigation, such as limitations of the data and sources of error, are discussed and provide evidence of a clear understanding of the methodological issues involved in establishing the conclusion. The student has discussed realistic and relevant suggestions for the improvement and extension of the investigation. |