Drawing conclusions from sources: using the bullet headings in the question to draw a conclusion for each, then supporting it with linked evidence from the sources and reaching an overall conclusion.

What this dot point is asking

This dot point covers a key source-handling skill tested across all three sections of the SQA National 5 Modern Studies question paper: drawing conclusions. These questions give you two or three sources (text, tables, graphs) and ask what conclusions can be drawn, usually with bullet headings telling you what to conclude about. They are worth 8 marks, so getting the technique right is worth a large share of the paper.

The skill is the same whatever the topic: make a judgement (a conclusion) for each heading and support it with evidence from the sources. The marks are for the supported conclusion, not for copying facts.

The answer

A conclusion is a judgement you reach by weighing the evidence, not just a fact lifted from a source. The reliable method has four steps: use the headings, draw a conclusion for each, support it with linked evidence, and give an overall conclusion.

Use the bullet headings

The question gives you headings to draw conclusions about (for example "the cost of the policy" and "public support for the policy"). Write a conclusion for each heading, because the marker awards marks heading by heading. Missing a heading loses those marks.

Draw a conclusion, not a fact

For each heading, state a judgement: more than, less than, the most, the least, has improved, has worsened, is more successful than. "Source A says 60% support the policy" is a fact; "Overall, the policy has more support than opposition" is a conclusion. The judgement is what earns the mark.

Support it with linked evidence

Back each conclusion with evidence from the sources. The strongest answers link sources: "This is shown by Source A, which says ..., supported by Source B, which shows ...". Linking two sources for one point is more developed than using one.

Give an overall conclusion

Finish with an overall conclusion that pulls the headings together into a final judgement.

Why this technique works

Conclusions questions reward synthesis: combining evidence to reach a judgement. The headings are a gift, because they structure your answer and tell you exactly what to conclude about. By making a judgement and then proving it with linked source evidence, you give the marker exactly the conclusion-plus-evidence pattern the mark scheme rewards. Skipping the judgement (just listing facts) or skipping the evidence (just asserting) both lose marks.

Examples in context

Suppose the headings are "the cost of the scheme" and "its popularity". For cost, conclude "The scheme is more expensive than expected", then support it: "Source A shows the budget was 50 million pounds but the actual cost was 80 million, supported by Source C, which describes overspending". For popularity, conclude "The scheme is popular overall", supported by survey figures in Source B. Then an overall conclusion: "On balance the scheme is popular but costs more than planned". That is exactly what the marker wants.

Try this

Q1. What is the difference between a fact and a conclusion? [2 marks]

• What the marker wants. A fact is information lifted from a source; a conclusion is a judgement reached by weighing the evidence, such as "X is greater than Y".

Q2. In a conclusions question, what tells you what to draw conclusions about? [1 mark]

• What the marker wants. The bullet headings given in the question.

Q3. Why might an answer that uses only one of three sources fail to reach full marks? [2 marks]

• What the marker wants. The marking rule caps the marks if too few sources are used; full marks require reference to all the sources provided.

A note on sources

This guide is AI-written and not individually human-reviewed. The conclusions technique and source rules follow the published SQA National 5 Modern Studies course specification and marking instructions; verify current details against the specification at sqa.org.uk.