This document outlines the assessment criteria for a research project on media topics. It is divided into 4 questions, each assessing a different aspect of understanding the research topic. For each question there are 4 bands of achievement with descriptors defining the requirements to attain a failing, passing, merit, or distinction grade. Higher bands require more comprehensive understanding and interpretation of information as well as stronger connections to research methods, theories, and use of evidence.

1. Question 3: Understanding the Impact of the Topic on Production
Band 1: 1-4 marks
(Fail)
Band 2: 5-8 marks
(Pass)
Band 3: 9-12
(Merit)
Band 4: 13-15
(Distinction)
Minimal
considerationof the
informationinthe
article,withpointless
Partial/incomplete
understandingand
followingof the topic,
consideringthe
informationinthe
The topic has been
understoodand
interpreted,
consideringthe
validityof
The topic has been
fullyunderstoodand
interpreted,
consideringthe
validityof information
Question 1: Understanding research methods and interpretingresearch data
Band 1: 1-4 marks
(Fail)
Band 2: 5-8 marks
(Pass)
Band 3: 9-12
(Merit)
Band 4: 13-15
(Distinction)
Basic understandingof
topic
Understands
significance of the topic
Comprehensive
understandingof the
significance of the topic
Limited connections to
media theories and
debates
Some relevant
connection made to
theories and debates
Mostly relevant
connections to theories
and debates
Detailed and precise
connections made to
theories and debates
Basic Description of
research methods
Understanding of data
usage in the research
methods used in the
article
Analysis of research
methods in the article
Evaluation of research
methods in the article
Superficial useand
consideration of
qualitativeOR
quantitativedata
Unsupported evaluative
judgements on
suitability of research
methods in article
Supported with
evaluative judgements
on suitability
Fully supported with
evaluative judgements
on suitability
QualitativeAND
quantitativedata
interpreted showing
consideration and
applied to response
QualitativeAND
quantitativedata clearly
interpreted showing
consideration of the
validity and applied to
response
QualitativeAND
quantitativedata fully
interpreted showing
consideration of the
validity, reliability, bias
and clearly applied to
response
Question 2: Understanding the relationship between own research and article
Band 1: 1-4 marks
(Fail)
Band 2: 5-8 marks
(Pass)
Band 3: 9-12
(Merit)
Band 4: 13-15
(Distinction)
Basic description of
primary or secondary
findings
Primary & Secondary
research findings
described
Explains the research
findings &their
relationship to the
context of the article
Evaluates the research
findings &their
relationship to the
context of the article
Some links made
between own research
and article(no
relationship)
Some links made as to
the relationship
between own research
and article
Clear links made as to
the relationship
between own research
and article
Thorough links made as
to the relationship
between own research
and article
Superficial comments
about how research
supports conclusions in
the article
Relevant comments
how research supports
article’s conclusions
Explains the article’s
conclusionswith
detailed comment on
the extent this is
supported by the
research
Evaluates the article’s
conclusionswith
justification of the
extent this is supported
by the research

2. reference made to
ownresearchsources
article,withsome
purpose inreferences
made to ownresearch
sources
informationin the
article,withdetailed
referencesmade to
ownresearchsources
indetail,with
referencesmade to
ownresearchsources
that supportresponse
withspecificexamples
Minimal connections
made to media
debatesoccasionally
relatedtothe topic of
the article
Fewconnectionsmade
to mediadebates
relevanttothe topicof
the article
Consistent
connectionsmade to
mediadebates
relevanttothe topic
of the article
Detailedandprecise
connectionsmade to
mediadebates
directlyrelevantto
the topicof the article
Basic understanding
of outcomesof
research
Some understandingof
the significance of the
outcomesof research
Soundunderstanding
of the significanceof
the outcomesof
research
Full understandingof
the significance of the
outcomesof research
Limitedchainsof
reasoning
Some imbalance in
chainsof reasoning
Clearchainsof
reasoning
Effective andlogical
chainsof reasoning
Question 4: Understanding the Impact of the Topic on Consumption
Band 1: 1-4 marks
(Fail)
Band 2: 5-8 marks
(Pass)
Band 3: 9-12
(Merit)
Band 4: 13-15
(Distinction)
Minimal
considerationof the
informationinthe
article,withpointless
reference made to
ownresearchsources
Partial/incomplete
understandingand
followingof the topic,
consideringthe
informationinthe
article,withsome
purpose inreferences
made to ownresearch
sources
The topic has been
understoodand
interpreted,
consideringthe
validityof
informationinthe
article,withdetailed
referencesmade to
ownresearchsources
The topic has been
fullyunderstoodand
interpreted,
consideringthe
validityof information
indetail,with
referencesmade to
ownresearchsources
that supportresponse
withspecificexamples
Minimal connections
made to media
debatesoccasionally
relatedtothe topic of
the article
Fewconnectionsmade
to mediadebates
relevanttothe topicof
the article
Consistent
connectionsmade to
mediadebates
relevanttothe topic
of the article
Detailedandprecise
connectionsmade to
mediadebates
directlyrelevantto
the topicof the article
Basic understanding
of outcomesof
research
Some understandingof
the significance of the
outcomesof research
Soundunderstanding
of the significanceof
the outcomesof
research
Full understandingof
the significance of the
outcomesof research
Limitedchainsof
reasoning
Some imbalance in
chainsof reasoning
Clearchainsof
reasoning
Effective andlogical
chainsof reasoning