A-Level History Revision — Independent Research (NEA): Choosing & Framing Questions
Revise Independent Research (NEA): Choosing & Framing Questions for A-Level History with a topic explanation, worked example and common mistakes. Check the board notes for specification differences.
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- Independent Research (NEA): Choosing & Framing Questions in A-Level History: explanation, examples, and practice links on this page.
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Go to Source Analysis: Cross-referencing & ProvenanceTopic explanation
What is Independent Research (NEA): Choosing & Framing Questions?
This topic provides guidance on the Non-Examined Assessment (NEA), or coursework, which is a personal historical investigation. It focuses on the crucial initial stages of choosing a viable topic and framing a focused, analytical question that allows for genuine debate and evaluation.
Board notes: The NEA is a mandatory component for AQA, Edexcel, and OCR. It is typically around 3500-4500 words and constitutes 20% of the final A-Level grade. The focus is on independent research, source analysis (AO2), and evaluation of interpretations (AO3).
Step-by-step explanationWorked examples
Worked example
A weak question is 'What was the impact of the Blitz?'. A strong, focused NEA question would be 'To what extent did the Blitz strengthen, rather than weaken, civilian morale in London between 1940 and 1941?'. This question is focused on a specific time and place, and sets up a clear debate ('strengthen vs. weaken') that can be explored through sources and interpretations.
Practise this topic
Start with low-focus cards for Independent Research (NEA): Choosing & Framing Questions, then move into full exam-style practice when you want the heavier session.
Common mistakes
- 1Choosing a topic that is too broad (e.g., 'The Second World War').
- 2Framing a question that is purely descriptive (e.g., 'What happened during the Cuban Missile Crisis?') rather than analytical.
- 3Selecting a topic where there is a lack of accessible primary sources or historical debate.
Independent Research (NEA): Choosing & Framing Questions exam questions
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Frequently asked questions
How do I know if there's a historical debate on my topic?
A good way is to look at the subtitles of history books or the titles of academic articles on your topic. If you see phrases like 'A re-evaluation of...' or 'The myth of...', it's a good sign that there is an active debate among historians that you can engage with.
Can I do my NEA on a topic we haven't studied in class?
Yes, this is often encouraged as it demonstrates independent learning. However, your chosen topic must be approved by your teacher and the exam board, and it must be a topic for which you can find sufficient academic and primary sources to analyse.