Criteria & deadlines
PAST IA'S
Example #1 - Score: 18/20
MODERATOR COMMENTS Criterion A: IntroductionA3—The student includes the task, plan and the mathematical processes used. Criterion B: Information/measurementB2—There are sufficient data; however, there is no evidence of the sampling process, so 3 marks cannot be awarded. Criterion C: Mathematical processesC4—The simple mathematics is mainly correct. Further mathematics was attempted, but Yates’s continuity was not applied in the \({\chi ^2}\) test (degrees of freedom = 1). Correlation coefficient and regression line are also further processes; however, no more than 4 marks can be awarded because of the error in the \({\chi ^2}\) test. Criterion D: Interpretation of resultsD3—There is good discussion of results throughout. Criterion E: ValidityE1—The limitations and possible improvements to the project are discussed. Criterion F: Structure and communicationF3—The project was well structured and clearly communicated throughout. Criterion G: Notation and terminologyG2—No errors are seen in notation or terminology. General commentsFull marks could have been achieved if evidence of sampling had been shown and the Yates’s continuity correction had been performed on the \({\chi ^2}\) test. The less-than-perfect scaling on graphs was not felt to be sufficiently serious to penalize in criterion F, given the quality seen in the remainder of the project. |
Example #2 - Score: 17/20
MODERATOR COMMENTS Criterion A: IntroductionA2—The task and plan are evident, but there is no mention of the mathematical processes that will be used. The full 3 marks are not awarded as the student has said “I will carry out numerous maths processes …” but did not specify which ones and why. Criterion B: Information/measurementB3—Plenty of data were collected and structured ready for analysis. The collection process was described thoroughly in the plan. Criterion C: Mathematical processesC4—All the simple mathematical processes (means, standard deviations, box plots) are correct. A further process is attempted, the \({\chi ^2}\) test on a 2 × 2 table, but the Yates’s continuity correction is not applied. Although this will not appear in examination papers, students will be expected to include this in their projects if degrees of freedom = 1. Criterion D: Interpretation of resultsD3—Comments were made throughout the project relating to the results obtained, a number of which are highlighted in the project. Criterion E: ValidityE1—The student comments on the appropriateness of the mathematical processes used and the validity of the hypothesis. Criterion F: Structure and communicationF3—The project was clearly set out, with appropriate sources recorded. Criterion G: Notation and terminologyG1—The student has confused mean and median. The student has consistently used X 2 for the \({\chi ^2}\) test. General commentsMore data would have been required to have a valid 2 × 3 \({\chi ^2}\) test or the student should have used the Yates’s continuity correction on the original data. |