Analysis lies at the core of all A-level subjects. It has many aspects, but at its heart are two opposite ways of looking at the same thing. The first involves breaking content down into its constituent parts. When information or data are complex it is helpful to break them down. To analyse a firm’s profit, break it down into revenue and costs, splitting revenue into price and quantity, and costs into fixed and variable. This moves an answer from description towards analysis.
The second form of analysis builds an argument from the bottom up. This requires solid foundations provided by defining terms (see the ‘Exam guide’ on knowledge, BUSINESS REVIEW, Vol. 20, No. 1, pp. 12–14). After this the key is to analyse the question set, not the topic. Beware of slipping into overrevised sequences of memorised ‘analysis’. The examiner wants your answer to drill down into the question, within the context of the business case. Within that sequence of thought it is vital to use relevant business theory to develop your ideas and arguments.
Your organisation does not have access to this article.
Sign up today to give your students the edge they need to achieve their best grades with subject expertise
Subscribe
