A Level Economics Exam Advice - Data Response
How to answer data-response questions
In Unit 1, you have a choice between two data-response questions. It is important to read both questions before choosing which one to answer and to stick to the time limit of 30 minutes. The question may be in three forms:
- Statistical data based on graphs, diagrams or tables.
- Textual data - from newspapers, reports or government publications.
- A combination of the two.
There are a number of key points to take into account when answering data-response questions, namely:
Identify the key economic concepts and models. Remember that examiners select the data in order to test your knowledge of the specification content. For example, a data-response question on commodities is likely to test you on elasticity, the Cobweb model and shifts in demand and supply curves. A data-response question on production possibility frontiers is likely to test you on scarcity, opportunity cost, efficiency and economic growth.
Read the instructions of questions carefully and focus your answers on them. For example:
- Define - make clear the meaning of a term. You need to learn all the definitions of key economic concepts for the Unit.
- Explain - make known in detail an economic term or problem and give reasons for it.
- Analyse - break down and explain the meaning of an economic term or problem.
- Use supply and demand analysis - include relevant diagrams in your analysis. In Unit 1 it is difficult to analyse markets without supply and demand diagrams.
- Examine - explain and analyse a particular economic issue or problem and then discuss its merits.
- Evaluate - make an appraisal of an economic issue by examining the case for and against, and then giving an opinion in the light of the evidence.
- Discuss - draw attention to all aspects of the question, including giving arguments for and against. It also means you should examine the implications of a particular economic policy or decision taken.
- Outline - give the main features of a particular economic term or issue.
Take careful note of the units of measurement as this is where common mistakes are made. Are the numbers presented in thousands or millions?
Select the relevant material. Read all the data carefully, including headings, sub-headings and sources, then select what is relevant to the answer (note that some of the material is background information and not directly relevant). Do not describe everything in minute detail or reproduce the data exactly, as this defeats the purpose of the question.
Pay close attention to any conclusions drawn in the text and work out the main line of argument. You need to sift through the information searching for trends, relationships and links to the questions set.
Identify the general trends and sub-trends within the data and use these in developing your answer. Examiners allocate points for the use of data and it is important to remember that part of the answer lies in the information given. Trends may be upward, downward or cyclical. An upward trend is portrayed by long-term economic growth; a downward trend can be seen by house price movements in the economy.
Look for relationships within the data. There may be a direct relationship (e.g. between the strength of the pound and foreign visitors to the UK). Sometimes there is no apparent relationship in the data provided, in which case it is relevant to state this point.
Be prepared to manipulate data through calculating the percentage or percentage change. Make sure you do not confuse variations in rates of change with variations in absolute levels. You should also show the working of calculations because if you get the wrong answer due to a numerical mistake, some credit may still be given for using the correct method.
Start your answer by explaining simple economic concepts and arguments that apply to the question. Later, you can gradually develop more sophisticated ideas if appropriate. This means that you will gain marks even if you go on to make errors in the answer.
Extend your answer beyond the confines of the data. It is often a good idea to think of what other data you would like to have to answer the question. Data-response papers sometimes include a question on what further information would be useful for you to make a more effective evaluation. Practice thinking about this additional data when attempting the exercises.
Be aware of limitations and bias within the data and the origins of the article. For example, it could be a trade union or employers' federation report. Sometimes articles from pressure groups are used and you must remember that they may have been written by economists at different ends of the political spectrum. It is often the case that more than one answer can be correct since economics is full of controversy and disagreement.
Stick to the time allocated: around 30 minutes for the data-response questions and 30 for the structured multiple-choice questions. This will leave you 5 minutes to check through your work. Most data-response questions are open-ended so it is impossible to cover every possible angle in your answer. You should consider the marks available for each question and allocate you time accordingly. A 6-mark question allows you around 10 minutes, whereas a 2-mark question gives you around 3 minutes to spend on the answer.
Keep up to date. Economics is a discipline which tries to make sense of the real world and you are expected to know what is going on in the economy. It is very important that you are aware of topical issues since the exam questions are based on these. You should make an effort to read a quality newspaper, watch the television news and subscribe to relevant magazines such as Economic Review.
Be aware of the general trends in the economy since 1990, for example: the trade cycle; the exchange rate; inflation; unemployment; balance of payments; growth trends; major tax changes; and the launch of the single European currency. You need to be familiar with general trends whilst bearing in mind that memorising whole series of statistical data is a waste of time.
To give you some practice, try answering the data-response questions
All information on this page produced with the permission of the author, Mark Gavin.
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