1. Source Based Questions Data Analysis Questions
Data Analysis Questions

2. We are learning to… Analyse complex sources of information
Discuss how to analyse complex data
Write exam style answers for the data analysis style questions

3. Success Criteria
I will analyse sources by breaking them down into manageable chunks.
I will be follow the suggested answer structure for data analysis questions.

4. Source-based Questions
There are two different source based questions in the Higher Politics exam.
“Comparison” Questions (8 marks)
Data Analysis Questions (20 marks)
Both questions in Paper 2

5. Data Analysis Questions (20 marks)
Use of data – 15 marks
Evaluation – 5 marks
Deal with the actual data first.
Evaluation should come in one chunk at the end of the answer.

6. Step 1: Split the statement into two separate views.
Up to 7 Sources – mixture of Statistical and Written
Asked to determine how accurate the provided statement is.
Overall evaluation is important.
Step 1: Split the statement into two separate views.
Step 2: Split each again to create 5 individual components

7. Step 1: Split the statement into two separate views.
There is a clear difference in the agenda of each section here: the first half of the viewpoint talks about the performance of actual political parties.
The second half of the viewpoint talks about levels of participation and representation in 2011 and 2016.

8. Step 2: Split each again to create 5 individual components
Within the first half there is a clear split in two: a comparison of the SNP between and then the view on Labour.
The second half can be split into three: greater participation; fairer representation; 2016 election disappointment

9. Step 3: DATA ANALYSIS TIME!
You must now use the sources – ALL OF THEM – to decide if each component can be supported by the evidence.
Do one component at a time – colour coding will help you here.
SQA GUIDANCE: There will always be a MINIMUM of two aspects of data for each component and a MAXIMUM of three aspects of data for each component.

10. Compared to 2007, the 2011 election was a fantastic result for the SNP.

11. Source A shows that the SNP won a majority of seats in the Scottish Parliament; it increased the number of MSPs by 22, they defeated Labour nationally and the gap between the two parties grew from 1 seat to 32 seats. Furthermore, this can be linked to Source A also the SNP increased its share of the vote by 11.5% and were clearly ahead of Labour in second place. Therefore, in terms of both seats and votes it was a great night for the SNP.
- 3 marks total

12. Right across the country Labour were convincingly defeated and were clearly the biggest losers.

14. Source A shows that Labour were clearly defeated by the SNP - Labour lost 9 seats and were now a large way behind the SNP however the Lib Dems lost 11 seats total. This can be further linked to Source A which states that Labour’s vote fell by 2.8% but the Lib Dems’ vote fell by 7.7%. Source B also highlights that whilst in most regions the SNP defeated Labour convincingly, Labour tied with the SNP in Glasgow and won 7 seats to the SNP’s 8 in the West of Scotland showing that Labour were not the losers in all areas of the country despite being clearly defeated by the SNP.
- 3 marks total

15. Component 3: “greater participation in the political process” – Source C, D and F
Component 4: “fairer representation for all” – Sources A and D
Component 5: “However by comparison, in both these areas, the 2016 election was hugely disappointing.” – Sources E and G

16. Evaluation Marks
In your overall evaluation you are essentially highlighting where the evidence supports the view and “correcting” the viewpoint where the evidence does not support it. The key in this section is the USE of EVALUATIVE LANGUAGE.

17. Evaluate a COMPONENT at a time…
The evidence from the sources supports the viewpoint as the SNP increased their performance in every aspect of the election and easily won — this can only be seen as a fantastic result. However, the SNP did not defeat Labour convincingly in every part of the country. They did in most areas but Labour was level in one area and only slightly behind the SNP in another so they did not defeat Labour in every area. SNP returned the same number of MSPs as Labour in Glasgow and they only just returned more than Labour in the West of Scotland so this was hardly convincing. Labour also were clearly not the night’s biggest losers — the Lib Dems lost the greatest share of the vote and the most seats. Therefore the evidence only really supports the view that it was a great night for the SNP.