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Long exam question help!!

Question paper: https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/528070-question-paper-biological-processes.pdf
Mark scheme: https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/529081-mark-scheme-biological-processes.pdf

In this question paper - for question 18(a), how many marks do you think I'll get out of 6 for the following answer? I have trouble marking it myself.
Also if there are any wrong areas or areas you think I can improve, can you please fix it for me/tell me the details?
Thank you so much!! I'll appreciate it so much if you help.

Q18(a). (my original answer)

Record and measure the water uptake, the dependent variable, or each species of plant every 30 minutes in 3 hours. The rate of water uptake can be used to estimate the rate of transpiration. Record the mean of the estimated transpiration rate for each species of plant, and repeat the same experiment for 3 times and record the mean results. Use the Student's t-test to compare the mean estimated transpiration rate of the two plant species and see if there's a significant difference between the two results.

Reply 1

macpatgh-Sheldon

Original post by ChloeYeo

Hi Chloe,
I think you have described the method quite well and in the right sequence, but a little more detail would help. You have stated that the experiment should be repeated thrice - it might be worth spelling out that THIS INCREASES THE RELIABILITY OF THE RESULTS and will mean that the statistical test will give more valid results.
The main item absent in your answer is the important scientific principle of mentioning which variables might act as confounding factors, and how you would control these factors in order to reduce possible misinterpretation of your results.

I would say you would get 3-4 out of 6 for your answer, more probably 3.

I hope this helps, AND DON'T BE DEJECTED - I am, a "tough cookie" and if you persist and keep improving, YOU WILL GET THERE!

Best of luck and be safe!
M.