What is the SQA Advanced Higher Economics project, and how is the independent research report marked?
The 40-mark project: an independent research report on a chosen current economic issue, what it requires (a clear aim, primary and secondary evidence, applied theory, analysis and a supported conclusion), and how it is marked.
An overview of the compulsory SQA Advanced Higher Economics project. Covers the independent research report worth 40 marks, what it requires (a clear aim, primary and secondary evidence, applied economic theory, analysis and a supported conclusion), how it is marked, and why it carries a third of the award.
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What this key area is asking
The project is Component 2 of Advanced Higher Economics, worth 40 of the 120 marks, a third of the award. It is an independent research report on a current economic issue of your choosing, and it assesses the Researching an Economic Issue area in depth. This is a single overview of what the project is and how it is marked; the detailed research skills it draws on are covered in the Researching an Economic Issue module.
What the project is
It is the practical application of the Researching an Economic Issue area: the candidate plans, researches, analyses and writes up an investigation, demonstrating the research skills taught in that area.
What the project requires
A complete project demonstrates the full research cycle:
- A focused aim or hypothesis: a clear question to answer or statement to test, drawn from a current economic issue.
- A programme of research: using both primary sources (surveys, interviews) and secondary sources (official statistics, reports).
- Organised, analysed evidence: presented in tables and charts, with data handling (percentage change, index numbers) and interpretation.
- Applied economic theory: using the concepts from the first two areas to analyse the evidence.
- Referencing: crediting all sources and allowing the reader to check them.
- A supported conclusion: answering the aim, weighing the evidence, and reaching a clear, qualified judgement.
- Evaluation of the research process: reflecting on the limitations of the data and methods.
How it is marked
The marking rewards a clear aim carried through to a supported conclusion, well-referenced primary and secondary evidence, accurate applied theory and genuine analysis rather than description, and an honest evaluation of the research. Marks are lost by a vague aim, an unsupported or missing conclusion, unreferenced or one-sided evidence, and merely describing data rather than analysing it.
Why the project carries a third of the marks
The project assesses skills the exam cannot: independent research, planning over time, gathering and referencing original evidence, and self-evaluation. These are exactly the degree-level skills that justify the SCQF level 7 status of the course. Because it is worth a third of the award, it deserves a third of the effort and should be planned early, not left to the end.
Worked example: planning a project to the mark scheme
Why this matters
The project is the single largest component of the award and the clearest expression of what Advanced Higher demands: independent, evaluative, well-evidenced research. Done well, it both secures a third of the marks and builds the research skills universities expect. Always work from the current SQA coursework assessment task and conditions of assessment, because the precise requirements and word guidance can change between sessions.
Try this
Q1. State the marks for the project and what share of the award it represents. [2 marks]
- Cue. The project is worth 40 marks out of 120, a third of the whole award.
Q2. Give two things a strong project must include to score well. [2 marks]
- Cue. Any two of: a clear focused aim carried through to a supported conclusion; well-referenced primary and secondary evidence; accurate applied economic theory and analysis; and an evaluation of the research process.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of SQA exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
SQA AH project8 marksExplain what the Advanced Higher Economics project requires a candidate to demonstrate.Show worked answer →
An overview question. The project is an independent research report on a current economic issue of the candidate's choosing, worth 40 marks and externally marked by the SQA.
It requires the candidate to: select an appropriate economic issue and set a focused aim or hypothesis; plan and carry out a programme of research using primary and secondary sources; organise, present and analyse the evidence (including data handling); apply relevant economic theory; reference sources properly; reach a conclusion supported by the evidence; and critically evaluate the research process. Because it is worth 40 of the 120 marks, it carries a third of the whole award and assesses the Researching an Economic Issue area in depth.
SQA AH project6 marksDescribe two features that distinguish a strong project from a weak one.Show worked answer →
A quality question.
First, a strong project is built around a clear, focused aim and reaches a conclusion that genuinely answers it, supported by the evidence, rather than drifting across a broad topic without a verdict. Second, it uses well-referenced primary and secondary evidence and applies economic theory accurately to analyse it, rather than just describing or listing data. You could add that it critically evaluates its own research process, acknowledging the limitations of the data and methods. Two developed features earn full marks.
Related dot points
- Choosing and planning research: selecting a current economic issue and setting a focused aim or hypothesis, distinguishing primary and secondary research and qualitative and quantitative data, sampling, and planning a programme of research with timescales.
An SQA Advanced Higher Economics answer on planning research: how to choose a current economic issue and set a focused aim or hypothesis, the difference between primary and secondary research and qualitative and quantitative data, sampling methods, and how to plan a programme of research with realistic timescales.
- Analysing and evaluating research: organising and presenting data, handling economic data (percentage change and index numbers), assessing the reliability and validity of sources, referencing, drawing supported conclusions, and evaluating the research process.
An SQA Advanced Higher Economics answer on analysing research: organising and presenting economic data, handling data with percentage change and index numbers, judging the reliability and validity of sources, referencing findings, drawing supported conclusions, and critically evaluating the research process.
- The structure of SQA Advanced Higher Economics: its three areas of study, what SCQF level 7 signifies, the two assessment components and the A to D grading of the award.
An overview of how SQA Advanced Higher Economics is structured: the three areas of study (Economic Markets: Structures and Intervention; National and Global Economic Issues; Researching an Economic Issue), what SCQF level 7 means, the two assessment components, and how the A to D award is graded.
- The question paper: its 80 marks and 2 hours 30 minutes, the balance of data-response and extended-response questions, the command words and the skills tested, and exam technique.
An overview of the SQA Advanced Higher Economics question paper: the 80 marks over 2 hours 30 minutes, the mix of data-response and extended-response questions, the command words (describe, explain, analyse, evaluate, discuss), the skills tested, and exam technique for the longer answers.
- Market failure and intervention: externalities, public goods, merit and demerit goods, information failure and monopoly power; the policy responses of taxes, subsidies, regulation, tradable permits and provision; competition policy; and the risk of government failure.
An SQA Advanced Higher Economics answer on market failure and intervention: externalities and the divergence of private and social cost, public goods, merit and demerit goods, information failure and monopoly power, the policy toolkit of taxes, subsidies, regulation, tradable permits and provision, competition policy, and why intervention can itself cause government failure.
Sources & how we know this
- Advanced Higher Economics Course Specification — SQA (Qualifications Scotland) (2024)
- Coursework assessment task for Advanced Higher Economics — SQA (Qualifications Scotland) (2019)