Economics commentary: what counts into analysis and evaluation respectively?

[jordan5560]

I'm writing my first official commentary on microeconomics. I'm confused about the boundary between analysis and evaluation. Can someone explain to me with a specific economic concept, like subsidy, please? If my article talks about a government imposing subsidies for agriculture and it also mentions the subsidies are expected to exacerbate the overcapacity in the agricultural industry, what should I write for the analysis and evaluation?

 

In this case, this is what I think:

Analysis- supply curves shifts downward (because of subsidies); demand shifts to the right (due to increase in population and economic growth in that country); elasticity of supply and demand->effectiveness of the subsidies

 

Evaluation- Welfare gain; negative externalities (harvesting machines generating air pollution); solution to overcapacity; OP of the subsidies

 

Please help me, I've been confused for a while  

Edited February 25, 2015 by jordan5560

[EconDaddy]

Hi Jordan,

 

You seem to be doing it right. The analysis should be based on the economic theories/concepts that you have applied (showing the outcome of subsidies in this case). In the evaluation you should come up with judgments on this policy and its effects (make sure it remains an evaluation and do not start analyzing negative externalities in details here). Here are the official IB descriptions:

 

Criterion Analysis

 

This criterion assesses the extent to which the student can explain and develop appropriate economic theories and/or concepts in the context of the article.

• 0: The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
• 1: There is limited economic analysis relating to the article.
• 2: There is appropriate economic analysis relating to the article.
• 3: There is effective economic analysis relating to the article.

Criterion E: Evaluation

 

This criterion assesses the extent to which the student synthesizes his or her analysis in order to make judgments that are supported by reasoned arguments.

• 0: The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.
• 1: Judgments are made that are unsupported, or supported, by incorrect reasoning.
• 2: Judgments are made that are supported by limited reasoning.
• 3: Judgments are made that are supported by appropriate reasoning.
• 4: Judgments are made that are supported by effective and balanced reasoning.

 

Source: IB Teacher Support Material (Internal assessment criteria—SL and HL)

[jordan5560]

Thank you! I've finished it just right now

[behaaa]

I would say that evaluation would mean that you present the cons and pros of going with a certain policy, while analysis would involve actually discussing the various implications of said policy (or whatever else the question asks).