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Component 03: Independent language research (NEA)

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do you choose a good investigation topic and turn it into a focused, answerable research question?

Choosing an investigation topic: identifying a workable area of language, narrowing it to a focused and answerable research question, ensuring data is gatherable, and avoiding common pitfalls (the NEA planning stage for H470/03 Task 1).
How to choose a good investigation topic for the OCR A-Level English Language NEA (H470/03 Task 1): identifying a workable area of language, narrowing it to a focused and answerable research question, ensuring data is gatherable, and avoiding the common pitfalls that sink investigations.
12 min answer →

How do you design a methodology and gather data for the language investigation, and what makes the method sound?

Investigation methodology and data: choosing a method (quantitative, qualitative or mixed), selecting and gathering data, sampling, transcription, ethics, and writing a transparent, repeatable methodology (AO1 and AO3 in H470/03 Task 1).
How to design a methodology and gather data for the OCR A-Level English Language language investigation (H470/03 Task 1): choosing a quantitative, qualitative or mixed method, sampling, transcription, ethics, and writing a transparent, repeatable methodology that underpins a sound study.
13 min answer →

What is the OCR academic poster, and how do you craft it to score on AO5?

The academic poster (H470/03 Task 2, 10 marks): the 750 to 1000 word poster presenting the investigation to a non-specialist audience, assessed for AO5 only, and how to craft it for clarity, accessibility and effective communication.
What the OCR A-Level English Language academic poster is (H470/03 Task 2, 10 marks): the 750 to 1000 word poster presenting the investigation to a non-specialist audience, assessed for AO5 only, and how to craft it for clarity, accessibility and effective communication.
12 min answer →

What is the OCR language investigation, and how do you structure an independent study that scores across AO1, AO2 and AO3?

The language investigation (H470/03 Task 1, 30 marks): the independent 2000 to 2500 word study, its structure (introduction, methodology, analysis, conclusion), and how to integrate analysis (AO1), concepts (AO2) and context (AO3).
What the OCR A-Level English Language language investigation is (H470/03 Task 1, 30 marks): the independent 2000 to 2500 word study, its structure (introduction, methodology, analysis, conclusion), and how to integrate analysis (AO1), linguistic concepts (AO2) and context (AO3) into an evidenced research report.
13 min answer →