What is the National 5 Modern Studies Assignment, and how is it researched, written and marked?
The Assignment: the 20-mark coursework task in which a candidate researches a Modern Studies issue, gathers and references sources, and writes a structured report under supervised conditions.
An overview of the SQA National 5 Modern Studies Assignment: the 20-mark coursework where a candidate chooses a Modern Studies issue, researches it from a range of sources, completes a research sheet, and writes a structured report under supervised conditions covering the issue, evidence and a conclusion, with how the marks are earned.
Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed
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What this dot point is asking
This dot point gives an overview of the National 5 Modern Studies Assignment, the coursework part of the course. The Assignment is worth 20 marks, a fifth of the total course assessment (the question paper is worth the rest). It is set within the course but marked by the SQA, and it tests the same research and decision-making skills as the question paper, but on an issue the candidate chooses.
You do not need to memorise a topic for this page; you need to understand what the Assignment is, how it is researched and written, and how the marks are earned, so you can plan and produce a strong report.
The answer
The Assignment is a research task with a written report. The candidate chooses a Modern Studies issue, researches it, and writes up their findings and a conclusion under controlled (supervised) conditions.
Choosing an issue
The candidate chooses a Modern Studies issue, ideally one with two clear sides so there is a decision to make or a question to answer (for example whether a policy is a good idea). A focused issue with alternatives gives the report a clear purpose.
Researching from a range of sources
The candidate gathers evidence from a range of sources, such as websites, books, newspapers and statistics, and notes where each piece came from so it can be referenced. Using several different sources, and evidence on more than one side, makes the report well supported and balanced.
The research sheet
During research the candidate can record findings on a research sheet, which they are allowed to take into the write-up. It holds the evidence and references gathered, so the report can draw on real, sourced information.
Writing the report
The report is written under supervised conditions in the candidate's own words. A strong report:
- Introduces the issue and the decision or question.
- Presents evidence and arguments on more than one side, drawn from research and referenced to sources.
- Analyses the evidence rather than just listing it.
- Reaches a clear, justified conclusion that answers the question or makes a decision.
- Is organised and easy to follow.
Why the Assignment matters
The Assignment is 20 of the 100 marks for the course, so it is a major contribution to the final grade. Because it is researched in advance, it is an opportunity to earn marks through good preparation: a focused issue, wide research, balanced evidence and a clear conclusion. It also develops the research and decision-making skills Modern Studies is built on, which carry into Higher and beyond.
Examples in context
A candidate might choose "Should the voting age be lowered to 16 across the UK?" They research arguments and evidence on both sides from several sources, note the references, and write a report that introduces the issue, sets out evidence for and against (each referenced), analyses it, and concludes with a justified decision. The structure, the balance and the sourced evidence are what the marks reward.
Try this
Q1. How many marks is the National 5 Modern Studies Assignment worth? [1 mark]
- What the marker wants. 20 marks (a fifth of the 100-mark course assessment).
Q2. Name two things a good Assignment report should contain. [2 marks]
- What the marker wants. Any two of: an introduction to the issue, referenced evidence on more than one side, analysis, a justified conclusion, clear organisation.
Q3. Why should a candidate use a range of sources and reference them? [2 marks]
- What the marker wants. Using several sources makes the report well supported and balanced, and referencing shows where evidence came from, which the marks reward.
A note on sources
This guide is AI-written and not individually human-reviewed. The Assignment structure, marks and conditions follow the published SQA National 5 Modern Studies course specification and coursework assessment task; verify current details against the documents at sqa.org.uk.
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 N5 style4 marksDescribe, in detail, two things a candidate must do to research the Modern Studies Assignment well. (4 marks)Show worked answer →
A knowledge (describe) question about the Assignment process. The marker awards up to 2 marks per point: name it and develop it.
Point one: choose a clear, focused issue. The candidate should pick a Modern Studies issue with two clear sides so there is something to research and a decision or evaluation to make, which gives the report a clear purpose. Point two: gather evidence from a range of sources. The candidate should collect information from several different sources, such as websites, books and newspapers, and note where each came from, so the report is well supported and the sources can be referenced.
Each point needs naming plus development. Two named points with no detail would cap at 2; two developed points reach 4.
SQA N5 style6 marksDescribe, in detail, the main parts a good Assignment report should contain. (6 marks)Show worked answer →
A describe question on the structure of the report. The marker awards marks for naming and developing the parts a strong report includes.
A good report introduces the issue and the decision or question; presents evidence and arguments on more than one side, drawn from research and referenced to sources; analyses the evidence rather than just listing it; and reaches a clear, justified conclusion that answers the question or makes a decision. It should be organised and use the candidate's own words.
For 6 marks describe several parts with detail, for example introduction, balanced evidence, analysis, referencing and conclusion. A bare list caps lower.
Related dot points
- 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.
How to answer the conclusions source question in SQA National 5 Modern Studies: drawing a conclusion for each bullet point in the question, supporting it with evidence linked from the sources, and giving an overall conclusion, so the synthesis of evidence earns the 8 marks, with worked examples.
- Detecting exaggeration and selectivity: judging whether a stated view is fully, partly or not supported by the sources, using evidence that backs the view and evidence that goes against it.
How to answer the selectivity question in SQA National 5 Modern Studies: deciding whether a given view is exaggerated by finding evidence from the sources that supports it and evidence that opposes it, then judging how far the view can be backed, with worked examples.
- Selecting and using evidence to support a view: choosing the option a set of sources best supports and giving reasons by linking specific evidence from the sources to the choice.
How to answer the give-reasons source question in SQA National 5 Modern Studies: deciding which of two options the sources best support and justifying the choice by linking specific evidence from the sources to the decision, including using evidence against the rejected option, with worked examples.
- Participation and representation: the ways citizens can take part in democracy, from voting to joining parties and campaigns, and how well groups in society are represented.
How citizens participate in democracy for SQA National 5 Modern Studies: voting, joining political parties, standing for election, joining pressure groups and campaigns, and contacting representatives, plus how well different groups are represented and why turnout matters, with worked exam answers.
- Responses to social inequality: how the UK and Scottish governments use the welfare state, benefits, the minimum wage, the NHS and other measures, and the role of charities and voluntary groups, plus how effective these responses are.
How governments and others respond to social inequality in the UK for SQA National 5 Modern Studies: the welfare state and benefits, the minimum and living wage, the NHS and free education, government policies, and the role of charities and voluntary groups, with an assessment of effectiveness and worked exam answers.