Analyse questions (Edexcel GCSE Business): Revision Notes
Analyse questions
What are analyse questions?
Analyse questions are a key type of exam question that requires you to examine and break down business situations in detail. These questions are quite similar to discuss questions, but they have one crucial difference: your answer must always be given within the specific context of the case study provided.
The key difference: Analyse questions require answers that are firmly rooted in the specific case study context, while discuss questions can include more general business theory.
When you see an analyse question, you need to use the particular details, circumstances, and information from the case study to support your points. This means you cannot give generic answers - everything must relate back to the specific business scenario you have been given.
Key features of analyse questions
Your response to an analyse question should demonstrate several important characteristics that set it apart from other question types.
Understanding these key features will help you structure your response effectively and demonstrate the analytical thinking that examiners are looking for.
- Use specific case study information: Draw on particular facts, figures, and details from the business scenario provided. This shows you understand how to apply business theory to real situations.
- Consider the business context: Think about what type of business you are analysing. For example, if it's a delivery service, consider how this affects the business operations differently from a manufacturing company.
- Examine relationships: Look at how different business elements connect and influence each other. Consider cause and effect relationships within the business situation.
- Apply business knowledge: Use relevant business concepts and terminology to explain what is happening in the scenario.
How to structure your answer
A strong analyse answer typically follows this approach that ensures comprehensive coverage of the question requirements.
Effective Answer Structure:
First paragraph: Explain one main benefit or positive impact, using specific information from the case study. Make clear connections between your business knowledge and the particular situation described.
Second paragraph: Examine limitations, drawbacks, or negative impacts, again referring to specific details from the case study. Show how the business context affects these limitations.
Throughout: Demonstrate that you understand the relationships between different business elements and how they specifically apply to this case study.
Worked example breakdown
Let's examine how this works with a real case study to see the principles in action.
Worked Example: Deliveroo Case Study Analysis
Question: Analyse the impact of Deliveroo not having its own restaurants.
Strong contextual reference: A good answer explains benefits like low overhead costs but specifically mentions Deliveroo's London head office and delivery driver operations. This shows understanding of the particular business model.
Business nature consideration: The answer recognises that Deliveroo is specifically a delivery business, which affects how it operates compared to traditional restaurant chains.
Relationship analysis: Strong answers explore the connection between Deliveroo and its restaurant partners, considering what might happen if suppliers decided to use competitors like Just Eat.
Specific limitations: Rather than just mentioning general drawbacks, a good answer examines specific issues like small profit margins per delivery and the need to expand into other markets.
Tips for exam success
These practical tips will help you apply the analyse question technique effectively in exam conditions.
Key Success Strategies:
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Always refer back: Every point you make should connect to specific information from the case study. Avoid general business theory without linking it to the scenario.
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Consider the business type: Think about how the nature of the business (service, manufacturing, online, etc.) affects your analysis.
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Use case study names: Reference specific companies, products, or situations mentioned in the case study to show you are answering in context.
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Think about relationships: Consider how different parts of the business connect and influence each other within the specific scenario given.
Key Points to Remember:
- Analyse questions require answers that are firmly rooted in the specific case study context
- Use particular details and information from the case study to support every point you make
- Consider how the nature of the business affects the situation being analysed
- Look for relationships and connections between different business elements in the scenario
- Your business knowledge must be applied to the specific situation, not given as general theory