Data Response and Source-Based Questions

Data response and source-based questions appear across nearly every A-Level subject. In Economics, you interpret tables and graphs. In Geography, you analyse fieldwork data. In History, you evaluate primary sources. In Psychology, you critique research findings. In Biology, you interpret experimental results.

Despite appearing in different guises, these questions share a common set of skills: reading critically, extracting evidence, performing contextual calculations, and — crucially — evaluating the data rather than just describing it.

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How to Read Data Critically

The most common mistake students make with data is describing it rather than analysing it. Describing data means reporting what the numbers say. Analysing data means explaining what the numbers mean — and evaluating what they can and cannot tell us.

Step 1: Identify what the data shows

Before you start writing, spend 30 seconds understanding the data:

• What are the axes/columns/rows?
• What is the unit of measurement?
• What time period does it cover?
• What is the source?

Step 2: Identify the trend or pattern

What is the overall picture? Is there a trend (increasing, decreasing, stable)? Are there anomalies or turning points?

Step 3: Quantify the pattern