PMT

GCSE
BIOLOGY
8461/2H
Paper 2 Higher Tier

Mark scheme
June 2019

Version: 1.0 Final

*196G84612h/MS*
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MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/2H – JUNE 2019

Mark schemes are prepared by the Lead Assessment Writer and considered, together with the relevant
questions, by a panel of subject teachers. This mark scheme includes any amendments made at the
standardisation events which all associates participate in and is the scheme which was used by them in
this examination. The standardisation process ensures that the mark scheme covers the students’
responses to questions and that every associate understands and applies it in the same correct way.
As preparation for standardisation each associate analyses a number of students’ scripts. Alternative
answers not already covered by the mark scheme are discussed and legislated for. If, after the
standardisation process, associates encounter unusual answers which have not been raised they are
required to refer these to the Lead Examiner.

It must be stressed that a mark scheme is a working document, in many cases further developed and
expanded on the basis of students’ reactions to a particular paper. Assumptions about future mark
schemes on the basis of one year’s document should be avoided; whilst the guiding principles of
assessment remain constant, details will change, depending on the content of a particular examination
paper.

Further copies of this mark scheme are available from aqa.org.uk

Copyright © 2019 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved.

AQA retains the copyright on all its publications. However, registered schools/colleges for AQA are permitted to copy material from this booklet
for their own internal use, with the following important exception: AQA cannot give permission to schools/colleges to photocopy any material that
is acknowledged to a third party even for internal use within the centre.

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MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/2H – JUNE 2019

Information to Examiners

1. General

The mark scheme for each question shows:

• the marks available for each part of the question
• the total marks available for the question
• the typical answer or answers which are expected
• extra information to help the Examiner make his or her judgement
• the Assessment Objectives, level of demand and specification content that each question is intended
to cover.

The extra information is aligned to the appropriate answer in the left-hand part of the mark scheme and
should only be applied to that item in the mark scheme.

At the beginning of a part of a question a reminder may be given, for example: where consequential
marking needs to be considered in a calculation; or the answer may be on the diagram or at a different
place on the script.

In general the right-hand side of the mark scheme is there to provide those extra details which confuse
the main part of the mark scheme yet may be helpful in ensuring that marking is straightforward and
consistent.

2. Emboldening and underlining

2.1 In a list of acceptable answers where more than one mark is available ‘any two from’ is used, with
the number of marks emboldened. Each of the following bullet points is a
potential mark.

2.2 A bold and is used to indicate that both parts of the answer are required to award the mark.

2.3 Alternative answers acceptable for a mark are indicated by the use of or. Different terms in the
mark scheme are shown by a / ; eg allow smooth / free movement.

2.4 Any wording that is underlined is essential for the marking point to be awarded.

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MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/2H – JUNE 2019

3. Marking points
3.1 Marking of lists

This applies to questions requiring a set number of responses, but for which students have
provided extra responses. The general principle to be followed in such a situation is that ‘right +
wrong = wrong’.

Each error / contradiction negates each correct response. So, if the number of error /
contradictions equals or exceeds the number of marks available for the question, no marks can be
awarded.

However, responses considered to be neutral (indicated as * in example 1) are not penalised.

Example 1: What is the pH of an acidic solution?

[1 mark]

Student Response Marks

awarded
1 green, 5 0
2 red*, 5 1
3 red*, 8 0

Example 2: Name two planets in the solar system.

[2 marks]

Student Response Marks awarded

1 Neptune, Mars, Moon 1
2 Neptune, Sun, Mars, 0
Moon

3.2 Use of chemical symbols / formulae

If a student writes a chemical symbol / formula instead of a required chemical name, full credit can
be given if the symbol / formula is correct and if, in the context of the question, such action is
appropriate.

3.3 Marking procedure for calculations

Marks should be awarded for each stage of the calculation completed correctly, as students are
instructed to show their working. Full marks can, however, be given for a correct numerical
answer, without any working shown.

3.4 Interpretation of ‘it’

Answers using the word ‘it’ should be given credit only if it is clear that the ‘it’ refers to the correct
subject.

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MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/2H – JUNE 2019

3.5 Errors carried forward

Any error in the answers to a structured question should be penalised once only.

Papers should be constructed in such a way that the number of times errors can be carried forward
is kept to a minimum. Allowances for errors carried forward are most likely to be restricted to
calculation questions and should be shown by the abbreviation ecf in the marking scheme.

3.6 Phonetic spelling

The phonetic spelling of correct scientific terminology should be credited unless there is a possible
confusion with another technical term.

3.7 Brackets

(…..) are used to indicate information which is not essential for the mark to be awarded but is
included to help the examiner identify the sense of the answer required.

3.8 Allow

In the mark scheme additional information, ‘allow’ is used to indicate creditworthy

alternative answers.

3.9 Ignore

Ignore is used when the information given is irrelevant to the question or not enough to gain the
marking point. Any further correct amplification could gain the marking point.

3.10 Do not accept

Do not accept means that this is a wrong answer which, even if the correct answer is given as
well, will still mean that the mark is not awarded.

4. Level of response marking instructions

Extended response questions are marked on level of response mark schemes.
• Level of response mark schemes are broken down into levels, each of which has a descriptor.
• The descriptor for the level shows the average performance for the level.
• There are two marks in each level.

Before you apply the mark scheme to a student’s answer, read through the answer and annotate it
(as instructed) to show the qualities that are being looked for. You can then apply the mark scheme.

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MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/2H – JUNE 2019

Step 1: Determine a level

Start at the lowest level of the mark scheme and use it as a ladder to see whether the answer meets
the descriptor for that level. The descriptor for the level indicates the different qualities that might be
seen in the student’s answer for that level. If it meets the lowest level then go to the next one and
decide if it meets this level, and so on, until you have a match between the level descriptor and the
answer.

When assigning a level you should look at the overall quality of the answer. Do not look to penalise
small and specific parts of the answer where the student has not performed quite as well as the rest.
If the answer covers different aspects of different levels of the mark scheme you should use a best
fit approach for defining the level.

Use the variability of the response to help decide the mark within the level, ie if the response is
predominantly level 2 with a small amount of level 3 material it would be placed in level 2 but be
awarded a mark near the top of the level because of the level 3 content.

Step 2: Determine a mark

Once you have assigned a level you need to decide on the mark. The descriptors on how to
allocate marks can help with this.

The exemplar materials used during standardisation will help. There will be an answer in the
standardising materials which will correspond with each level of the mark scheme. This answer will
have been awarded a mark by the Lead Examiner. You can compare the student’s answer with the
example to determine if it is the same standard, better or worse than the example. You can then
use this to allocate a mark for the answer based on the Lead Examiner’s mark on the example.

You may well need to read back through the answer as you apply the mark scheme to clarify points
and assure yourself that the level and the mark are appropriate.

Indicative content in the mark scheme is provided as a guide for examiners. It is not intended to be
exhaustive and you must credit other valid points. Students do not have to cover all of the points
mentioned in the indicative content to reach the highest level of the mark scheme.

You should ignore any irrelevant points made. However, full marks can be awarded only if there are
no incorrect statements that contradict a correct response.

An answer which contains nothing of relevance to the question must be awarded no marks.

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MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/2H – JUNE 2019

AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.

01.1 primary consumer 1 AO2

4.7.2.1
4.7.4.1

01.2 correct shape: 4 tiers with 1 AO2

largest at bottom and smallest 4.7.4.2
at top

correctly labelled: in this order 1

or allow:
dragonfly / nymph 3rd-order or tertiary consumer or
apex / top predator or (trophic
level) 4
+ hydra 2nd-order or secondary
consumer or (trophic level) 3
+ daphnia 1st-order or primary consumer or
herbivore or (trophic level) 2
+ algae producer or (trophic level) 1

allow for 2 marks inverted

pyramid if correctly labelled

01.3 any one from: 1 AO1

(Daphnia biomass smaller 4.7.4.3
because)
• non-digestible parts (of ignore waste
algae) or lost in faeces
• not all absorbed
• lost in urine / urea
• used in respiration or lost allow excretion
as carbon dioxide / CO2 allow (to supply energy) for
movement / warmth
• algae not all eaten allow used to supply energy
or eaten by other
organisms
• some algae decompose

01.4 an answer of 14 000 scores AO2

2 marks 4.7.2.1
14 1

14 000 allow evidence of an incorrectly 1

calculated mean × 1000
allow 1.4 × 104

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MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/2H – JUNE 2019

AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.

01.5 an answer of 2.625 × 104 AO2

or 2.63 × 104 4.7.2.1
or 2.6 × 104 scores 4 marks

an answer of 26250 scores 3

marks

allow ecf from Question 01.4

(volume of pond = ) an incorrect answer for one step 1

1.875 does not prevent allocation of
or 2.5 × 1.5 × 0.5 marks for subsequent steps

14 000 × 1.875 allow ecf from Question 01.4 1

26250 1

2.625 × 104 allow 2.63 × 104 or 2.6 × 104 1

01.6 increased (growth / 1 AO2

reproduction of) algae 4.7.2.1
4.7.3.2
(more algae so) more food for 1 4.7.4.1
Daphnia

allow fertiliser toxic to Hydra (1)

(so) fewer Daphnia eaten (1)

01.7 (Hydra have) less food 1 AO3

4.7.2.1
because (graph shows) fewer 1 4.7.3.2
Daphnia (with more fertiliser)

allow other valid suggestions, eg

fertiliser toxic to Hydra (1)
or
fertiliser causes growth of algae
(on surface) which block light
and so die and decay
or
eutrophication (1)
(decay / eutrophication) uses up
oxygen (so lack of oxygen for
Hydra) (1)

Total 14

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MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/2H – JUNE 2019

AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.

02.1 chromosome(s) allow gene(s) / allele(s) 1 AO1

4.6.1.4
4.1.2.1

02.2 X = sugar 1 AO1

4.6.1.5
Y = nucleotide 1

Z = base 1

02.3 double helix 1 AO1

4.6.1.4

02.4 3 1 AO2
4.6.1.5

02.5 any two from: allow descriptions or named 2 AO1

examples 4.6.1.4

• diagnosis of inherited / allow research / understand

genetic disorder genetic disorders
• gene therapy or treatment
of inherited disorders
• understanding (human)
evolution
or
understanding ethnic
origins (of a person)
or
understanding ancestry
• tracing human migration
patterns

allow other examples – eg

identification of criminals (1)
paternity determination (1)

Total 8

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MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/2H – JUNE 2019

AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark Spec.
R f
03.1 named example of tropism – eg allow hydrotropism or 1 AO1
geotropism / gravitropism chemotropism or thermotropism 4.5.4.1

correct corresponding stimulus – allow water or chemical or 1

eg gravity ‘heat’

03.2 Level 3: The method would lead to the production of a valid 5–6 AO1
outcome. All key steps are identified and logically sequenced. AO2
4.5.4.1

Level 2: The method would not necessarily lead to a valid 3–4

outcome. Most steps are identified, but the plan is not fully logically
sequenced.

Level 1: The method would not lead to a valid outcome. Some 1–2
relevant steps are identified, but links are not made clear.

No relevant content 0

Indicative content

• several seedlings in each batch

or one pot of seedlings in each batch
• measure heights of shoots
• leave some in dark with light from one side / direction in box with
hole
• control(s) with all-round light or rotating on clinostat or in dark
• control variable(s) eg same temperature / water / soil type
• after suitable time (at least several hours)
• record appearance of seedlings re. light direction
• re-measure heights of shoots
• detail of how bent shoots were measured – eg use thread or
straighten them out
• calculate mean height increase for each group
• use ruler / protractor to estimate angle of bending

for level 3 a reference to comparing the growth of plants with light

from one direction with plants either in darkness or in full light along
with a control variable is required

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MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/2H – JUNE 2019

AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.

03.3 leaves / plant receive(s) / 1 AO2

absorb(s) more light 4.5.4.1
4.7.2.1
(so) more photosynthesis 1 4.4
4.4.1.2
(so plant) produces more allow starch / carbohydrate / 1 AO1
glucose sugar / organic material / other
named organic substance

if no other mark awarded allow 1

mark for any two of the mark
points with no reference to
‘more’

Total 11

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AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.

04.1 ciliary muscles contract 1 AO1

4.5.2.3
(so ciliary muscles have a) 1
smaller diameter

(so) suspensory ligaments do not accept ‘relax’ 1

loosen / slacken

(so) lens thickens or lens allow lens becomes fatter 1

becomes more curved / ignore lens becomes bigger
rounded

(thicker) lens is more allow light rays bent (inwards) 1

convergent more or light refracted more

light rays / image focused on allow light rays meet on retina 1

retina

04.2 eye(-ball) is (too) short or lens allow ciliary muscles (too) weak 1 AO1
cannot be thickened enough or lens not (sufficiently) elastic 4.5.2.3

(so) light ‘focuses’ behind retina allow (so) image forms behind 1
retina

04.3 convex / converging lens allow shape described eg 1 AO1

thicker in middle 4.5.2.3

light rays bent / refracted allow changes direction of light 1

(inwards) more rays further inwards

light rays focused on retina allow light rays brought to a 1

point on retina
or light rays converge on retina
or focused /clear image forms
on retina

Total 11

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MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/2H – JUNE 2019

AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.

05.1 same kingdom + phylum + class 1 AO3

+ order 4.6.4
or same order allow both Poales
or they have the top four groups
the same

05.2 Rr / rR do not accept RR or rr 1 AO3

ignore heterozygous 4.6.1.6
4.6.3.3
do not accept homozygous

05.3 CWCW 1 AO3

4.6.1.6

05.4 allow R and W throughout AO2

allow own symbols if defined 4.6.1.6
parental genotypes / gametes 1
correct for both parents:
CR CW CR CW / CR and CW

genotypes of offspring correctly allow correctly derived 1

derived in a Punnett square: genotypes from incorrect
CRCR CRCW CWCW gametes

correct identification of allow colours correctly identified 1

phenotypes from their cross: from different offspring, only if
CRCR = red pink and other colour(s) are
CRCW = pink given
CWCW = white

05.5 answer correctly derived from allow 50(%) if no offspring given 1 AO2
Question 05.4 in Question 05.4 4.6.1.6
to match stated phenotypes allow to match genotypes if no
phenotypes given

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MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/2H – JUNE 2019

AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.

05.6 (several groups) 1 AO1

so many / several plants can be allow each (group) will give a 4.1.2.3
produced new plant 4.6.1.3
4.6.2.5
(nutrients) 1
for making protein / amino acids allow other examples
or for making chlorophyll
or for providing energy or for do not accept making energy
respiration ignore for growth

(add hormones) allow for the formation of 1

so differentiation occurs different tissues / organs /
or so roots / shoots develop named
allow to stimulate cell division

(sterile conditions) ignore to kill microorganisms 1

to prevent growth / entry of
microorganisms / named type ignore contamination
or prevent decay / disease unqualified

(temperature = 20 oC) allow reference to enzymes 1

so optimum / good growth working well
ignore enzymes not denatured
ignore reference to pathogens /
microorganisms

05.7 (all new plants have been) ignore produced from one 1 AO2
produced by asexual parent 4.1
reproduction / mitosis or 4.1.2.2
produced without (fusion of) 4.6.1.1
gametes 4.6.2.5

(so) all are genetically identical / allow all are the same genotype 1
clones / alleles / genes / DNA
or all are CRCW / heterozygous

Total 14

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MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/2H – JUNE 2019

AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.

06.1 pituitary 1 AO1

4.5.3.3

06.2 ADH 1 AO1

4.5.3.3

06.3 allow ecf for name of hormone 4.5.3.3

from Question 06.2
ignore name of gland

high(er) concentration of blood allow low(er) water potential of 1 AO2

causes (more) ADH / hormone blood causes (more) ADH /
release hormone release
allow alternative descriptions in
terms of – eg low(er) water
concentration / level or high(er)
osmotic pressure or high(er)
solute concentration / level

(and hormone / ADH causes) allow increased permeability of 1 AO1

increased permeability of kidney collecting duct / distal
tubules (to water) convoluted tubule

(so) increased water allow more water taken back 1 AO1

reabsorption into blood
ignore reference to urine

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MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/2H – JUNE 2019

AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.

06.4 allow converse if clearly AO3

describing dialysis 4.5.3.3
explanation must match reason

changes in concentrations / allow no change in 1

levels of substances / urea concentration / level of
are minimised substances / urea
allow correctly named
substances

(so) less / no chance of causing allow eg less / no osmotic 1

damage to body cells / tissues stress or not poisoned by urea

not repeatedly puncturing skin allow blood does not leave the 1
or blood not in contact with body
machine

(so) less / no chance of infection allow less / no chance of 1

or less / no chance of blood microorganisms entering body
clots
or no need to take anti-clotting
drugs allow only one operation so less
chance of infection for 2 marks
allow dialysis requires anti-
clotting drugs and so may lose
more blood if cut for 2 marks

Total 9

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MARK SCHEME – GCSE BIOLOGY – 8461/2H – JUNE 2019

AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.

07.1 Level 2: The method would lead to the production of a valid 3–4 AO1
outcome. All key steps are identified and logically sequenced. AO2

Level 1: The method would not necessarily lead to a valid 1–2

outcome. Most steps are identified, but the plan is not fully
logically sequenced.

No relevant content 0

Indicative content
4.7.2.1
• use of quadrat
• (quadrat) of given area / dimensions – eg 0.25 m2 or 1 m × 1 m
• quadrats are placed randomly
• method of obtaining randomness – eg random coordinates
from a calculator or throw over shoulder or throw with eyes
closed
• suitable number of quadrats (10 or more or a large number)
• count number of plants (in each quadrat)
• calculation of mean per quadrat or per unit area
• determination of area of field (length × width)
• population = mean per m2 × area of field

07.2 more bacteria so more divisions / 1 AO2

reproduction (per unit time) 4.1.1.6

07.3 any three from: 3 AO3

• add (more) sugar 4.1.1.6
• add (more) amino acids / if neither point given, allow 4.4.2.3
protein add (more) nutrients 4.7.2.3
• add (more) oxygen 4.7.4.3
• increase temperature allow in range 26 oC to 40 oC 4.7.5.4
allow maintain optimum
temperature
• remove toxins / waste
or maintain pH
• stir the culture

if no other mark awarded

allow 1 mark for add more
food

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AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.

07.4 an answer in the range of 2.9 to AO2

3.4 scores 4 marks 4.1.1.6
an answer in the range of 2.08 4.6.2.4
to 3.77 scores 3 marks

tangent drawn to the curve at 12 do not accept if there is an 1

hours incorrect tangent at 7 hours

Δ𝑦𝑦
calculation of rate at 7 hours allow an answer that correctly 1
Δ𝑥𝑥
rounds to a value in range 10.0
to 11.7
Δ𝑦𝑦
calculation of rate at 12 hours allow an answer that correctly 1
Δ𝑥𝑥
rounds to a value in range 3.1
to 4.8

3.3 allow in range 2.9 to 3.4 if both 1

rates are in the correct ranges

07.5 can use the glyphosate / weed allow only kills weeds 1 AO1
killer to kill weeds but not kill / 4.6.2.4
affect crop 4.7.1.3
4.7.5.4
(so) less competition for light / allow less competition for 1
water / minerals / ions nutrients AO2
ignore food / carbon dioxide /
space

(so) crops have high(er) yield allow crops grow better / well 1 AO1

Total 15

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AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.

08.1 ignore incorrect organ secreting 4.5.1

insulin / glucagon 4.5.3.2

(blood glucose increases after allow (blood glucose increases 1 AO2

meal causing) insulin secretion after meal causing) insulin
increase

insulin causes glucose to enter 1 AO1

cells / liver / muscles allow glucose converted to
glycogen in cells / liver /
muscles for 2 marks
(insulin causes) glucose 1 AO1
conversion to glycogen

(so) blood glucose decreases allow increase in glucagon 1 AO2

causing glucagon secretion when blood glucose is low

glucagon causes glycogen to be 1 AO1

converted to glucose

08.2 cells / liver / muscles absorb allow cells / liver / muscles 1 AO2
less glucose convert less glucose to 4.5.3.2
glycogen
do not accept no absorption /
conversion of glucose

(so) glucose concentration in allow (so) glucose 1

blood remains high concentration in blood does not
decrease

(high blood glucose stimulates / allow more insulin is released 1

causes) pancreas to release from pancreas to ‘try’ to reduce
more insulin blood glucose

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AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.

08.3 any three from: 3 AO3

4.5.3.2
• age
• height and mass allow BMI
• proportion of males and allow sex of the participants
females or group size
• (same) severity of diabetes
• (same) activity (during
investigation)
• (same) type of meal
• dose of drug
• (similar) blood glucose allow how much / type of food /
concentrations at start drink consumed before
• other health conditions or
allow may not have followed
other drugs being taken drug-taking regime beforehand

08.4 Mean = 177.2 + 15.4 1 AO2

4.5.3.2

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AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.

08.5 Level 3: A judgement, strongly linked and logically supported by a 5–6 AO3
sufficient range of correct reasons, is given.

Level 2: Some logically linked reasons are given. There may also 3–4
be a simple judgement.

Level 1: Relevant points are made. They are not logically linked. 1–2

No relevant content 0

Indicative content 4.5.3.2

Pro:
• Met + A gives larger (%) reduction (in blood glucose) than Met
alone
• so statement is supported

• Met + B gives larger (%) reduction (in blood glucose) than Met
alone
• so statement is supported

• Met + A SD does not overlap with Met SD

• so difference is significant

Con:
• Met + B SD overlaps with Met SD
• so difference is not significant
• difference in results could be due to chance
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• number of people used is not very large
• number of people in each group is different
• so may not be representative or may not be repeatable /
reproducible
• so anomalies will have a bigger impact on smaller groups

• 30 minute / starting levels of blood glucose are different

• all 30 minute / starting levels are higher in the 2-drug trial
• so may cause different % reductions

• no information about control variables or named eg

• concentration of drugs not given / may differ
• so results may not be valid

for level 3 an inclusion of a discussion of significance is required

Total 18

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