Standard Grade Modern Studies Investigating Skills

General Investigating Questions  You will be given an investigating issue or topic  You will be asked to choose two relevant aims or headings

General Investigating Questions  You may be asked to choose a suitable method of enquiry for one of the aims and give a reason or reasons for your choice  You may also be asked about a particular method of enquiry, e.g. choose appropriate questions for a questionnaire/survey/interview; describe how you would use a method of enquiry; give an advantage or disadvantage of a method of enquiry

Credit Investigating Questions  You will be given an investigating issue or topic.  You will be asked to state a relevant hypothesis for your investigation  You will be asked to choose relevant aims or headings

Credit Investigating Questions  You may be asked to describe in detail an appropriate method of enquiry for one of the aims, giving a reason or reasons for your choice  You may be asked to choose one yourself, or one may be provided for you to answer questions about  You may be asked about the chosen method of enquiry, e.g. advantages, disadvantages, problems

Investigating Questions  The main difference between the Credit and General questions is that in the Credit paper you will be expected to explain things in a lot more detail, often for the same amount of marks.

What is a hypothesis?  A hypothesis is a statement that you wish to test to see if it is true or untrue.  It could also be described as a statement that you believe to be true/untrue and that you think you can prove/disprove.

Voting in UK Elections Hypothesis: Most people are not interested enough in politics to vote. Most people are not interested enough in politics to vote.

The work of MPs, MSPs, etc in representing their constituents Hypothesis: All MSPs do a good job in representing their constituents. All MSPs do a good job in representing their constituents.

Women/ethnic minorities in politics Hypothesis: Women are less interested in taking part in politics than men. Women are less interested in taking part in politics than men.

The work of trade unions in representing their members. Hypothesis: Trade unions have an important role to play in the workplace. Trade unions have an important role to play in the workplace.

The rights and responsibilities of trade union members Hypothesis: Trade union members have few rights left compared with 20 years ago. Trade union members have few rights left compared with 20 years ago.

The work of pressure groups Hypothesis: Pressure groups have an important part to play in democracy in the UK. Pressure groups have an important part to play in democracy in the UK.

The living standards of elderly people in Scotland Hypothesis: There are big differences in living standards amongst the elderly. There are big differences in living standards amongst the elderly.

The financial needs of the elderly Hypothesis: Most pensioners cannot live on the state pension alone. Most pensioners cannot live on the state pension alone.

Technology and the workplace Hypothesis: Computerisation in the workplace has created more jobs. Computerisation in the workplace has created more jobs.

Government help for the unemployed Hypothesis: The Government has done a great deal to help the unemployed back to work. The Government has done a great deal to help the unemployed back to work.

The employment opportunities for single parents Hypothesis: Single parents have greater difficulties in getting a job than other adults. Single parents have greater difficulties in getting a job than other adults.

Voting in the USA Hypothesis: Having complicated ballot papers is the biggest reason for a low turnout in US elections. Having complicated ballot papers is the biggest reason for a low turnout in US elections.

Living standards amongst different ethnic groups in the USA Hypothesis: There are big differences between the living standards of whites and blacks in the USA. There are big differences between the living standards of whites and blacks in the USA.

Reasons for people emigrating to the USA from Latin America Hypothesis: Most people come to the USA from Latin America to escape poverty. Most people come to the USA from Latin America to escape poverty.

Gun control in the USA Hypothesis: Most Americans are prepared to defend their right to bear arms. Most Americans are prepared to defend their right to bear arms.

British aid to African countries Hypothesis: Britain does not do enough to help developing countries in Africa. Britain does not do enough to help developing countries in Africa.

Problems that African countries have in meeting their needs Hypothesis: Cancelling debt would help solve many of the problems of African countries. Cancelling debt would help solve many of the problems of African countries.

Expansion of the European Union (or NATO) Hypothesis: Expanding the European Union (or NATO) will cause major problems for the organisation. Expanding the European Union (or NATO) will cause major problems for the organisation.

Benefits of membership of the EU (or NATO) Hypothesis: The UK gains a lot from membership of the EU (or NATO). The UK gains a lot from membership of the EU (or NATO).

The peacekeeping role of the United Nations Hypothesis: The United Nations has failed to keep the peace in recent conflicts. The United Nations has failed to keep the peace in recent conflicts.