Geography subject report · May 2012

May 2012 extended essay reports Page 1 GEOGRAPHY Overall grade boundaries Grade: E D C B A Mark range: 0 - 7 8 - 15 16 - 22 23 - 28 29 - 36 The range and suitability of the work submitted The standard of essays submitted in geography was generally disappointing, with very few really outstanding essays. Many of the titles were very broad and conclusions were made on the basis of very little evidence, in some cases just a handful of interviews. There was a good range of titles and ideas, reflecting a worldwide candidature and differing interest areas. A large number of essays were written on a tourism theme (often these were not well done).Too many essays were submitted where candidates treated them as if they were fieldwork reports (IA). The style recommended for IA is NOT appropriate for extended essays. Weaker essays often had overly positive (and unrealistic) comments added to the inside cover by the essay’s supervisor, suggesting that some supervisors are unwilling or unable to be objective when discussing essay topics and methods wi th students. There are still some supervisors unwilling to write anything at all on the inside cover. On a more positive note, there was a good range of titles and ideas, reflecting a worldwide candidature and a wide range of interest areas . In addition, fewer essays this session had little or no relevance to geography. Candidate performance against each criterion Criterion A: research question Many essays were far too broad to answer in depth while remaining within the word limit. Choosing to investigate a broad RQ by looking at a limited number of specific hypotheses (which between them still leave important aspects of the original RQ unanswered) is NOT a good way to ensure that all aspects of a RQ are covered. For example research questions might invest igate the social, environmental and economic impacts of a geographic event when perhaps just one of these angles could have been investigated in depth. “Futuristic” questions looking at how a particular construction project