Unit 7 Contemporary Issues in Science - Question 4

Question 4 often looks short and simple — but it’s an easy place to lose marks if students don’t understand what examiners really want. Let’s break it down.

What Does Question 4 Ask You to Do?

This question is not about repeating what the articles already say. Instead shown you can:

• Think like a scientist

• Spot gaps or limitations in existing research

• Suggest realistic next steps for science, technology or research

Key Thing to Remember

You are not being asked to invent something unrealistic. You are being asked:

A simple structure to consider:

Step 1: Identify limits or gaps in the articles

Think about:

• Small sample sizes

• Short study durations

• Limited age groups or populations

• New technology that is still developing

• Unanswered questions

These gaps are your starting point.

Step 2: Suggest specific future research

Good answers suggest clear and sensible research ideas, for example:

• Longer-term studies

• Larger or more diverse groups of participants

• Comparing different methods or technologies

• Testing real-world use rather than lab conditions

• More collaboration amongst different research groups

• More research into environmentally friendly materials

• Consider different ways of investigating the issue

• More research into the cause of the issue rather than the outcomes

Avoid vague answers like “more research is needed” — always say what kind of research.

Step 3: Include development, not just research

Remember: the question says development and/or research. That means you can suggest:

• Improving technology or design

• Making solutions cheaper or more accessible

• Improving safety, comfort, or effectiveness

• Better training or guidance for users

These are just as valid as lab-based research. Instead of writing:

❌ “Scientists should do more research.”

Try:

✔ “Further research could involve longer-term studies to investigate whether the effects seen remain over several years, rather than only a few months.”

In responses try to show:

• ✔ Several distinct suggestions

• ✔ Clear links to the articles

• ✔ Ideas that are realistic and scientific

• ✔ Answers written clearly and concisely

You don’t need long explanations — clear, relevant suggestions score best.

Useful Sentence Starters for Question 4

• “One area for further research could be…”

• “Future studies could investigate whether…”

• “The technology could be developed further by…”

• “More long-term data is needed to…”

Example Question 4 - Based on the Nature Medicine study comparing ultra-processed and minimally processed diets

One area for further research would be to carry out longer-term studies to investigate whether the greater weight loss seen with minimally processed diets is maintained over several years, rather than just the 8-week period used in the study. This would help determine long-term health effects.

Further research could also involve larger and more diverse groups of participants, including different age ranges, ethnic backgrounds and people with existing health conditions, to see if the results apply to the wider population.

Another area for development would be to study the real-world practicality of minimally processed diets, as participants in the trial were provided with meals. Future research could examine whether people can realistically follow these diets without support.

Further investigation could also compare different types of ultra-processed foods, as some may have better nutritional profiles than others, rather than treating all UPFs as the same.

Finally, future research could focus on improving ultra-processed foods, such as reducing sugar, salt and saturated fat content, to see whether healthier versions could produce similar benefits to minimally processed diets.

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