1. National 5 Biology Assignment
20 marks out of 100 in total.
The course is graded A-D.

2. The assignment assesses the following skills, knowledge and understanding:
selecting information from a variety of sources
applying knowledge of biology to new situations and interpreting information
presenting information appropriately in a variety of forms
processing the information (using calculations and units, where appropriate)
drawing valid conclusions and giving explanations supported by evidence/justification
communicating findings/information

3. Assignment Stages Research Stage – 6 hours
You will have to investigate a relevant topic in biology. The topic must have an application with an effect on the environment/society.
Communication Stage – 2 hours
In this stage of your assignment you need to select, process and present information/data from the sources you have gathered, and produce your report under exam conditions.

4. Application
The application of Biology must be a deliberate act by humans.
For example it is not enough to say pesticides are used by farmers.
You would have to say something like “pesticides are used to protect crops from insects”
Check with your teacher that your chosen topic for research has an appropriate application

5. Effect
Your effect must indicate what happens to the environment or society due to your application.
For example “pesticide use means crops are not damaged” or “pesticide use means more food is grown”
This effect can be positive or negative.

6. Research Most of the work at this stage is to gather data/information.
This could come from:
Internet
Books
Journals
Newspaper articles
Notes taken from a tv programme
Information may include:
Numerical or experimental data
Graphs or notes
Visual diagrams

7. Warning!
Download of text directly from the internet or copying directly from books may suggest to the assessor that you have not understood the biology involved. This may be considered as plagiarism unless you acknowledge the sources carefully.
It is always best to put things in your own words to make sure you really understand them.

8. Selecting Data
You must ensure that the raw data is included for all processed data.
For example if you process a table into a graph you must include the table as your raw data, and reference where it came from.
When processing your information, you must ensure that your data is from 2 different sources.
You can copy + paste the raw data into your assignment. It is best to reference the source alongside the raw data

9. Selecting Data
You can gain marks for explaining why you use your source on the basis of:
Relevance
Reliability
Or differing/similar perspectives.
You MUST use the appropriate word from “relevant”, “reliable” or “perspective” when doing this!
You must use at least 2 of these words for your sources of raw data.

10. Processing Data
Data must be processed into 2 different formats chosen from:
Bar graph
Line graph
Pie chart
Summary text
Diagram
E.g. If you process a table of raw data into a bar graph, your second processed data cannot be a bar graph.
Process each piece of data once

11. Processing Data
There is also 1 mark available for correctly labelling your processed data.
Labels must be copied directly from the source data e.g. if the raw data table heading is “Number of people”, the processed graph axis label must be “Number of people” not “No. of people”

12. Processing Data
There is 1 mark available for stating a comparison between your 2 pieces of processed data.
This should state any link between your two sources of data, and if there is no link between them you must state this also.
HOWEVER if you state there is no link and a link is visible to the marker you will lose this mark.

13. Conclusion There is 1 mark available for drawing a valid conclusion.
This must relate back to your aim and be supported by evidence from your research.
Do not introduce any new ideas within the conclusion.

14. Underlying Biology
This section may be completed throughout your assignment, or you may choose to do it as an independent and headed section.
This should include all of the principles or explanations of Biology relating to your topic.
Remember you must use terms and ideas appropriate to the level of National 5 Biology.

15. Structure of report
You may want to use headings to help give your report structure, ensure these are appropriate and informative headings.
All sources of information must be listed at the end of the report in sufficient detail to allow someone else to find them. In addition, if you include diagrams, data or direct quotes you must also reference your source at that point.
There is a final mark available if your report is clear and concise. This means that it is flowing well, and information presented comes in a logical order.
Suggested Headings:
Aim
Application
Research
- choice of sources
- data/information
Conclusion
Underlying biology
References

16. Structure of report
As a guide, your report should be words, excluding tables, charts and diagrams.
There is no penalty for being out with this range.

17. Mark Allocation Skills, knowledge and understanding Marks allocation
The aim of the investigation 1
Application/effect on the environment/society 2
Selection of sources of data/information
Selection of relevant information from sources
Processing and presentation of data/information 6
Drawing a valid conclusion
Applying knowledge and understanding of biology 3
Report structure

18. Mark Allocation