Question 1

What is NCEA AS 91289 about?

Accepted Answer

You need to plan and carry out a real agricultural or horticultural investigation from start to finish, collecting actual data over time and then analysing what you found. This means deciding what you want to test or observe, describing your method clearly, recording your results, working out what the data tells you, and writing it up properly with reference to ideas from other sources.

Question 2

What do students need to do for AS 91289?

Accepted Answer

1. Plan a clear purpose for your investigation — either a testable question, prediction, or hypothesis based on actual agricultural or horticultural science 2. Design a fair or pattern-seeking method that controls variables, defines your range of measurements, and explains how you'll collect data over time 3. Collect and record real primary data (not just information from books) during the investigation period 4. Process and analyse your data so you can identify trends, patterns, or results and draw a valid conclusion that links back to your original purpose 5. Write up your findings and discuss them using relevant agricultural or horticultural ideas from both your own investigation and from at least one other source

Question 3

What's the difference between Achieved, Merit, and Excellence for AS 91289?

Accepted Answer

Achieved: You carry out the complete investigation process (planning, data collection, analysis, reporting) with a clear purpose, workable method, recorded data, and a valid conclusion linked to findings from another source. Merit: Your investigation is in-depth: your method is workable and considers important factors like valid ranges, valid measurements, or sources of error; you process data to find clear trends or patterns; your conclusion is valid and linked to your purpose; and you discuss the biological ideas using both your findings and other sources. Excellence: Your investigation is comprehensive: you justify why you made the choices you did in your method, you evaluate whether your method was valid or your data was reliable, and you explain your conclusion by connecting it to the agricultural or horticultural science ideas involved in the investigation.

Question 4

What mistakes do students typically make in AS 91289?

Accepted Answer

1. Assuming that reading about agriculture or horticulture counts as an 'extended investigation' — you must collect actual primary data yourself over a real time period, not just gather information from books or websites 2. Writing a conclusion that does not actually link back to the original aim or question — your conclusion must connect directly to what you set out to find or test 3. Failing to identify and reference at least one finding or idea from another source (textbook, research paper, website) that relates to your investigation and findings

Practical investigation

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