Transcript Investigation Task

Investigation Task
 A452
GCSE Computing OCR
Purpose of the task
What are examiners looking for?

Independent acquisition of something of new
concepts/skills

Successful application of these in a given context

Thorough testing and evaluations of solutions
All of the above evidenced in a well structured report.
Practical Investigation

Follow instructions to the letter, document each step: use task headings and
annotated screenshots of your activities

Document your planning for each section with reasons: “I will find you how to
[...] by visiting the following sites: [...]. This will help me because [...]”

Report any decision processes you have made: “I did consider using (...) to
solve this problem, but decided to use (...) instead, because (...)”

Show that you have experimented with different ways of solving the task:
use annotated screenshots

Show that you have learnt something new: “I was unaware that (...), now I know
that (...)
Effectiveness and Efficiency
 Solutions
are well structured and NOT
unnecessarily complex: your annotated screenshots are
proof of this.
 All
solutions are working: your annotated screenshots
are proof of this.
Technical Understanding

Point out understanding of programming principles and techniques: “I
am using (...), which means (...), because (...)”

Use technical terms where possible: produce a glossary of terms or use
footnotes

Use naming conventions, e.g. camel code

Compare the task to ‘real world’ software development: “I have found
(no) evidence that the technology of (...), is used in the industry. For example (...)” naming your sources!

Show that you know more than the task asks for!
Testing

Test all solutions and stages

Include tests for valid data

Include tests for invalid or erroneous data

Include tests for extreme data

Use a test plan

Get other students to try and ‘break’ your solution

Include evidence

Refer to the type of error
Evaluation and Conclusion

Be critical and honest

Write clearly and at length, showing excellent written communication skills

Be specific and detailed in your reasoning, referring to examples from your
activities and solutions

Make reference to relevant programming methods

Make reference to any relevant organisations

Make reference to past, current and future developments
Other Top Tips
1.
Reference all research materials
2.
Explain how it supports you meet the criteria
3.
Explanations of what you are doing
4.
Annotate code and screen shots
5.
Use success criteria for each section
6.
Mini evaluations for each point / section
7.
Design section should use pseudo code and flow charts
8.
Mini evaluations all the way through
9.
Clear Conclusions