The Historical Investigation must:

be independently researched

be presented in the form of a piece of extended writing of between 3000 and 3500 words in

length

draw upon the student’s investigation of sources (both primary and secondary) which relate to

the development or issue chosen and the differing interpretations that have been placed on

this

place the issue to be investigated within a context of approximately 100 years

The skills and qualities of all three Assessment Objectives must be demonstrated in the

Historical Investigation. These are:

AO1: demonstrate, organise and communicate knowledge and understanding to analyse and

evaluate the key features related to the periods studied, making substantiated judgements and

exploring concepts, as relevant, of cause, consequence, change, continuity, similarity,

difference and significance.

AO2: analyse and evaluate appropriate source material, primary and/or contemporary to the

period, within the historical context.

AO3: analyse and evaluate, in relation to the historical context, different ways in which aspects

of the past have been interpreted.

The task required of students in responding to AO3 will be different from that in the examined

components in that students will be expected to:

show an understanding of the limitations placed on historians

show an understanding of the significance of the time and/or context in which an historian

writes

compare and evaluate differing historical interpretations.

Students must base their analysis and evaluation of historical interpretations on the work of

academic historians. It is not acceptable that the analysis and evaluation is based on textbook

historians or course books.

Students are expected to use short quotations, paraphrase and/or footnotes to show the

source of their interpretations. Lengthy extracts are not required.

In developing their response to a chosen issue to investigate, students are expected to consult

a range of resources, which may include textbooks, course books and work of academic

historians. Within the Historical Investigation, however, there must be explicit analysis and

evaluation of two differing interpretations by academic historians where students analyse and

evaluate the differences between the interpretations, show an awareness of the time and/or

context of the interpretations and demonstrate an understanding of the limitations placed on

historians.

The Historical Investigation must be written with the qualities of all three objectives integrated

within the body of the work. For example, students will analyse, evaluate and reach

judgements about the question chosen (AO1) and within this analysis and evaluation, appraise 

the views of historians (AO3) and analyse and evaluate primary source material and the extent

to which it is useful in supporting arguments or conclusions (AO2).

AO1: 20 marks

Demonstrate, organise and communicate knowledge and understanding to analyse and

evaluate the key features related to the periods studied, making substantiated judgements and

exploring concepts, as relevant, of cause, consequence, change, continuity, similarity and

significance.

Level: 17–20 The response demonstrates a very good understanding of change and continuity

within the context of approximately 100 years and meets the full demands of the chosen

question. It is very well organised and effectively delivered. The supporting information is wellselected,

specific and precise. It shows a very good understanding of key features, issues and

concepts. The answer is fully analytical with a balanced argument and well-substantiated

judgement.

AO2: 10 marks

Analyse and evaluate appropriate source material, primary and/or contemporary to the period,

within the historical context.

Level: 9–10 Provides a range of relevant and well-supported comments on the value of at least

three sources of two or more different types used in the investigation to provide a balanced

and convincing judgement on their merits in relation to the topic under investigation.

AO3: 10 marks

Analyse and evaluate, in relation to the historical context, different ways in which aspects of the

past have been interpreted.

Level: 9–10 Shows a very good understanding of the differing historical interpretations raised

by the question. There is a strong, well-substantiated and convincing evaluation of two

interpretations with reference to the time and/or context and the limitations placed on the

historians.