Added Value in Modern Studies

Step One:

Choosing your issue

What’s ‘Added Value’?• In every National Qualification course there is an element of ‘Added Value’ (AV). The

SQA states that the AV in a course is what ‘makes the Course more than the sum of its parts’.

National 4

•A separate Unit of work•Assessed internally by your

teacher•Benchmarked against the

relevant Outcome and Assessment Standards

(see www.sqa.org)•You must use at least two

different sources of evidence

National 5

•Assessed by a Question Paper, completed under exam

conditions in your school•Externally marked Not a

separate Unit of work•You must evaluate at least two Research Methods you

have used

The Added Value Process

Unit: Democracy in Scotland & the

United KingdomOutcome 1

Use a limited range of sources of information to detect and explain bias and exaggeration relating to democracy in the Scottish and United Kingdom political systems

Outcome 2

Draw on a straightforward knowledge and understanding of democracy in the Scottish and United Kingdom political systems

National 4

National 4

Unit: Democracy in Scotland and

& United KingdomOutcome 1

Use a range of sources of information to detect and explain exaggeration and selective use of facts relating to democracy in the Scottish and United Kingdom political systems

Outcome 2

Draw on a detailed knowledge and understanding of democracy in the Scottish and United Kingdom political systems

National 5

National 5

Modern Studies: Social Issues in the United Kingdom (National

4)Outcome 1

Use a limited range of sources of information to make and justify decisions about social issues in the United Kingdom, focusing on either social inequality or crime and the law

Outcome 2

Draw on a straightforward knowledge and understanding of social issues in the United Kingdom, focusing on either social inequality or crime and the law

Modern Studies: Social Issues in the United Kingdom

(National 5)Outcome 1

Use a range of sources of information to make and justify decisions about social issues in the United Kingdom, focusing on either social inequality or crime and the law

Outcome 2

Draw on a detailed knowledge and understanding of social issues in the United Kingdom, focusing on either social inequality or crime and the law

Modern Studies: International Issues (National 4)

Outcome 1

Use a limited range of sources of information to draw and support conclusions about international issues, focusing on either a major world power or a significant world issue

Outcome 2

Draw on a straightforward knowledge and understanding of international issues, focusing on either a major world power or a significant world issue

Modern Studies: International Issues (National 5)

Outcome 1

Use a range of sources of information to draw and support conclusions about international issues, focusing on either a major world power or a significant world issue

Outcome 2

Draw on a detailed knowledge and understanding of international issues, focusing on either a major world power or a significant world issue

So, what are you interested in?

• Once you have decided which Unit you are most interested in, the next step is to decide on the issue or topic you want to research.

• You should discuss your ideas and interests with your peers and teacher as there may well be others researching in your field of interest.

• Alternatively, you may wish to research an issue which no one else has selected. You should speak to your teacher if this is the case. Remember – there needs to be enough evidence available for you to carry out any research – so try not to pick an obscure topic!

How will you select your issue?

Deciding on your issue or topic isn’t easy. Here are some questions to consider:

•Which Unit will you focus on?

•Does the issue interest you?

•Do you want to find out more about the issue?

•Does it make you think about challenging questions that involve controversy or are open to more than one opinion?