1. SOURCE-BASED QUESTIONS:
OBJECTIVITY

2. Lesson Focus… Breaking down complex sources of information
Discussing how to determine the accuracy of statements.
Writing exam style answers to Objectivity questions

3. Objectivity Questions
In this type of question you have to interpret and evaluate up to three complex sources of information detecting and explaining the extent of objectivity.
Essentially you are being asked to determine how ACCURATE a statement is based on the evidence provided.
Look at the question below:
To what extent is it accurate to state that the government’s policies are successfully tackling the problem of smoking in Scotland? (10 marks)

4. What you need to do is find evidence which supports the statement and evidence that opposes the statement.
In pairs highlight the information in the sources which SUPPORTS the statement in ONE COLOUR
Highlight the information in the sources which DOES NOT SUPPORT the statement in a DIFFERENT COLOUR

5. Writing your Answer
This is question is worth 10 marks total…an easy 10 marks in the final exam!
In your answer you MUST:
Show both sides of the argument i.e. the ways the statement is accurate and the ways the statement is not accurate.
Use all three sources throughout the course of your answer.
Synthesise information from between the sources i.e link Source A with Source C, using your own words to back up your position. Use three pieces of evidence per paragraph
Give an OVERALL JUDGEMENT on the accuracy of the statement, providing evidence to back up your judgement.

6. Structure of Answer
Paragraph 1: Show that the statement is ACCURATE by providing evidence from the sources that supports the statement with your own evaluation.
Paragraph 2: Show that the statement is INACCURATE by providing evidence from the sources that opposes the statement with your own evaluation.
Paragraph 3: Show that the statement is either ACCURATE or INACCURATE with further evidence and evaluation.
Paragraph 4: Make an OVERALL JUDGEMENT on the accuracy of the statement, providing further evidence. Use either “To a great extent” or “To a small extent” to start off this paragraph.

7. Possible Evaluative terms
Highly
Mostly
Slightly
Only
Strong
Weak
Majority
Few
Influential
Probable
Successful
Maintained
Constant
Consistent
Considerable
Inflated
Limited
Difficult
Likely
Clearly
Definitely
Possible
Widely praised
Increasingly
Decreased
Valuable
Significant
Important
Critical
Vital
Very
Relevant
Effective
Can be used in conjunction with each other e.g. Highly relevant

8. How to write your answer
Identify what kind of evidence will be shown in the paragraph
There is evidence to support the view that the government’s policies have been successful in tackling smoking. The number of adults smoking is falling according to Source A. This is backed by the downward trend in 13 and 15 year olds smoking as shown in Source C. This shows that since 2006, smoking has fallen amongst all groups, most especially among 15 year old girls. This figure has fallen by 5% since Furthermore, the smoking ban and increasing the age to buy cigarettes to 18 may have helped cause this (Source A), a clear success of policy.
NAME SOUCRES THROUGHOUT
CLEAR EVALUATION OF EVIDENCE IN OWN WORDS
EVIDENCE IS CLEARLY LINKED (SYSNTHESIS)

9. However, there is evidence which suggests the governments policies have not been successful. 39% of those in the most deprived areas in Scotland continue to smoke (Source A). Further to this, Source B highlights that deprived areas tend to have high levels of unemployment; 51% of unemployed adults who are looking for work smoke. This can be further backed by Source A which states those out of work are most likely to smoke. This illustrates that the government’s policies are failing those who already suffer from inequality or are socially excluded as the rates of smoking are still very high.
Identify what kind of evidence will be shown in the paragraph
NAME SOUCRES THROUGHOUT
CLEAR EVALUATION OF EVIDENCE IN OWN WORDS
EVIDENCE IS CLEARLY LINKED (SYSNTHESIS)

10. Based on the evidence which you have found, write your 3rd paragraph now.
It should begin either with:
“Further evidence supports the…” OR
“Further evidence opposes the…”
Choose whichever side you have remaining evidence to provide!

11. Worth the final two marks!
Final Paragraph:
In the final paragraph you MUST state the extent to which the statement is accurate.
EITHER:
“to a great extent” OR
“to a small extent”
Worth the final two marks!
To a great extent, the evidence suggests that smoking is being successfully tackled by the government’s policies. The number of adults smoking is falling. It may still be higher in Scotland than in any other country in the UK but importantly the number of young smokers is falling rapidly as shown in Source C; this is also backed by the extremely low number of schoolchildren smoking, only 3%.