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Component 03: Independent language research (NEA)
Quick questions on The language investigation (NEA Task 1): the independent study - OCR A-Level English Language
7short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is the structure of a research report?Show answer
The investigation follows the shape of academic research, and a clear structure is itself part of the AO1 mark.
What is evaluate, do not confirm?Show answer
A strong investigation uses its data to test the relevant theory, not to confirm it. It shows where the data supports a concept, where it complicates it, and what the limits of a small, self-collected data set are. This evaluative, critical stance, treating theory as something to weigh rather than reproduce, is the AO2 prize and the mark of independent research.
What is a model integrated analysis?Show answer
"A study of the language of online product reviews might integrate its objectives in every paragraph: it analyses the evaluative lexis and modality of the reviews (AO1), engages concepts of persuasion, politeness and synthetic personalisation (AO2), and reads the context of the platform and the reviewer-reader relationship (AO3). Because the three are woven together rather than separated into a literature review and a data section, the analysis develops a single argument about how the reviews construct credibility." This shows the integration the investigation rewards.
What is a model evaluative conclusion?Show answer
"A strong conclusion weighs the data against the theory: it might find that the reviews partly support a concept of synthetic personalisation but that the small, single-platform data set cannot support broad claims, and that a larger or cross-platform study would test the pattern further. By acknowledging the limits and treating the theory as tested rather than confirmed, the conclusion shows the critical independence the NEA rewards." This models the evaluative stance.
What is q1?Show answer
What are the four main parts of a language investigation? [2 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
Why is a focused research question so important? [2 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
Conduct an independent investigation into an area of language of your choice, presenting a research question, methodology, analysis and conclusions. [20 marks]
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