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3.3 Criterion C: Analysis and Line of Argument

Digital Society (DS)

Note

This criterion assesses the quality of the analysis and the ability to construct a coherent, sustained, and persuasive line of argument that consistently links the research, findings, and conclusion back to the research question.

Good Practice:
1. The essay is analytical, not descriptive.
2. and are throughout each section to build the .

Theory, data,

evidence

interwoven

argument

The argument is logical, cumulative, and consistently focused on answering the RQ.

The use of “mini-conclusions” at the end of sections can help maintain focus.

Common Pitfalls:

The most significant risk is writing a descriptive essay that simply presents information without analyzing it.
A common structural flaw is separating the essay into distinct sections for “Theory,” “Data,” and “Analysis,” which prevents integration and leads to a disjointed argument.

Example

Low Score (1-2/6)

The gig economy is a labor market characterized by short-term contracts and freelance work as opposed to permanent jobs. This essay presents data on Uber driver salaries in London. Data from a 2023 Transport for London study shows the average hourly wage is £17. The data shows that Uber drivers in London do not make a lot of money when comparing their salaries to those of other UK residents and to their expenses.

This is a classic descriptive structure.

Theory and data are presented in separate, disconnected blocks.
The “analysis” is merely a summary statement of the data.
There is no integration of concepts to explain why the wages are what they are or how the platform's structure contributes to this outcome.
It tells the reader what is happening, but not why.

Example

High Score (5-6/6)

The algorithmic management system employed by Uber, a key aspect of its platform governance, creates a significant power asymmetry that challenges traditional labor models. While the platform affords drivers a degree of flexibility in their working hours, it simultaneously uses dynamic pricing and job allocation algorithms to control their earning potential, a practice that mirrors precarious piece-rate work rather than stable, salaried employment ([research source]). For example, the 2023 Transport for London study indicating an average wage of £17/hour must be analyzed in the context of unpaid time spent waiting for fares, which is a direct consequence of the algorithm's control over the supply and demand of rides. This demonstrates how the platform's technological architecture actively shapes economic outcomes for its workers, reinforcing precarious labor conditions even while promoting a narrative of entrepreneurial freedom.

This response is highly analytical.

It integrates theory (platform governance), concepts (affordances), data (£17/hour), and critical analysis of the implications of a certain digital technology within a single, coherent paragraph.
It uses the data not as a standalone fact, but as evidence to support a specific point in an ongoing argument about power and labor.
It explains the why behind the what.

Tip

As with Criterion B, substantiated analyses such as the one above must be present throughout the EE, not just in one or two paragraphs.

Extended Essay

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Digital Society (DS)

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