IBDP Digital Society HL Paper Three, Question Three: EVALUATE [8 marks]

How to Answer Evaluation Question Three in IB DP DS Paper 3

Step 1: Understand the Question (2-3 minutes)

• Identify the key focus (e.g., "evaluate the potential impact...")

• Note any specific context (e.g., "with reference to the Amazon case study...")

• Identify what aspects need evaluation (e.g., "in terms of diversity and inclusion")

Step 2: Plan Your Response (2-3 minutes) Structure your response using these key evaluation criteria:

EQUITY

• How fair is the intervention/approach?

• Who benefits and who might be disadvantaged?

• Are there accessibility or inclusion issues?

ACCEPTABILITY

• How do different stakeholders view this?

• Is it transparent and accountable?

• What concerns might stakeholders have?

FEASIBILITY

• What technical challenges exist?

• What social/political barriers exist?

• Is it practically implementable?

ETHICS

• What ethical implications arise?

• How are different stakeholder rights balanced?

• Are there unintended consequences?

Step 3: Write Your Response (10-12 minutes)

Introduction:

• Briefly state what you're evaluating

• Outline key aspects you'll consider

Main Body (organize in clear paragraphs): For each major point:

1. State your evaluation point

2. Provide evidence/examples (reference case study if required)

3. Analyze implications

4. Link to evaluation criteria

For example: "One significant concern with Amazon's AI recruitment system was its impact on equity. The system demonstrated bias against female candidates by penalizing resumes containing women-specific terms, showing how automated systems can perpetuate existing inequalities. While the intention was to streamline recruitment, the acceptability of such a system is questionable when it fails to ensure fair treatment of all applicants. This raises feasibility concerns about implementing AI recruitment systems without proper bias detection mechanisms."

Conclusion:

• Synthesize your main evaluation points

• Make a justified judgment about overall effectiveness/impact

• Suggest potential improvements or alternatives

Tips for Higher Marks:

1. Balance positive and negative aspects

2. Consider multiple stakeholder perspectives

3. Use specific examples from case studies/stimulus material

4. Link explicitly to evaluation criteria (equity, acceptability, feasibility, ethics)

5. Show awareness of broader implications

6. Make justified judgments rather than just listing points

Common Pitfalls to Avoid:

• Simply describing without evaluating

• Ignoring the specific context given

• Not referencing case studies when required

• Missing key stakeholder perspectives

• Failing to make clear judgments

Sample Sentence Starters:

• "From an equity perspective..."

• "The acceptability of this approach is demonstrated by..."

• "While technically feasible, this raises ethical concerns because..."

• "The effectiveness of this intervention is limited by..."

• "A key consideration for stakeholders is..."

Remember:

• Use the full 8 marks - aim for 4-5 well-developed points

• Balance depth and breadth

• Make clear evaluative judgments

• Support points with specific examples

• Consider multiple perspectives