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Practical assessment skills

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  1. Paper 5 Planning, Analysis and Evaluation

    1. P5.1Defining the problem and prediction

      Use the context to state a relevant prediction in words or as a sketch graph, link it to a hypothesis, identify independent and dependent variables and identify key variables that must be standardised.

    2. P5.2Planning experimental methods

      Describe how to vary the independent variable; measure independent and dependent variables accurately and to appropriate precision; standardise key variables; choose suitable volumes and concentrations; prepare different concentrations by serial dilution or proportional dilution; include controls; sequence the method logically; plan how to collect results.

    3. P5.3Assessing result quality, validity and risk

      Describe how to judge result quality using anomalies, spread, standard deviation, standard error or 95% confidence intervals; assess validity using accuracy and repeatability; prepare a simple risk assessment considering hazard severity and probability; state precautions to reduce risk.

    4. P5.4Dealing with experimental data

      Use tables and graphs to show key quantitative data; draw suitable graphs with independent variable on the x-axis and dependent variable on the y-axis; add confidence-limit error bars where required; choose calculations including means, percentages, percentage gain or loss and rates of change.

    5. P5.5Statistical tests and data types in practical contexts

      Use standard deviation, standard error or error bars to judge likely significance; choose and carry out appropriate statistical tests from the mathematical requirements; justify the test; state a null hypothesis; recognise categoric, ordinal and continuous data.

    6. P5.6Conclusions from raw and processed data

      Summarise main conclusions; identify key points in raw data, processed data, graphs and statistical results; discuss how far a hypothesis is supported; give scientific explanations; make further predictions and hypotheses.

    7. P5.7Evaluation of investigations

      Identify anomalous values and possible explanations; assess replication, independent-variable range and intervals, measurement method and control of variables; judge validity, how well data test the hypothesis and confidence in conclusions; suggest improvements that increase confidence.