Applied Science Revision — Pearson EDI QCF
Complete Pearson EDI QCF Applied Science specification revision resources. Tailored syllabus coverage with topic breakdowns, quizzes, and practice questions.
Specification Topics
- Understand how to develop your own resources and protect the interests of others in archaeological operations
- Apply preventative care procedures to items
- Understand how to transfer archaeological items
- Contribute to non intrusive investigations in archaeological operations
- Transfer items
- Implement routine interventive conservation procedures
- Identify and control the environment for the safe storage of items
- Provide information on the material remains of past communities to others
- Prepare the accommodation of items in archaeological operations
- Research and analyse information to achieve objectives in archaeological operations
- Develop your own resources and protect the interests of others
- Classify, compile and maintain data on the material remains of past communities
- Contribute to intrusive investigations in archaeological operations
- Contribute to health and safety when conducting archaeological operations
Top Exam Board Tips
- Align your self-assessment and development goals with the National Occupational Standards for Archaeological Practice or the CIfA Code of Conduct to show professional relevance.
- Keep a reflective journal or log during your NVQ to capture real-time feedback and your responses, which can then be used as direct evidence.
- When describing managerial competences, use real-world archaeological scenarios to illustrate your understanding of leading teams, managing budgets, or resolving ethical dilemmas on site.
- Explicitly state how your personal development has contributed to organisational success, using metrics or specific examples like reduced incident rates, improved data quality, or successful project delivery.
- For portfolio evidence, include a reflective account linking your environmental monitoring data to the specific material sensitivities of an item, showing deep understanding.
- When submitting practical evidence, ensure photographs and witness testimonies clearly show you using monitoring equipment and making environmental adjustments, not just the equipment itself.
- In your written framework, use terminology such as 'integrated pest management' and 'light budget' to demonstrate professional competency and meet NVQ knowledge criteria.
- Always compare your chosen methods against relevant standards or guidelines (e.g., CIfA standards) to show your protection methods are informed by industry best practice.
- Present a portfolio of practical evidence including photographs of packing stages, vehicle loading, and installation, supported by witness testimonies from supervisors or colleagues.
- Reference relevant industry standards and guidelines (e.g., Museums Association, ICON) to demonstrate professional competence and justify your choices.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing self-assessment with a simple list of tasks performed, rather than an honest evaluation of proficiency levels against specific archaeological skills and knowledge.
- Believing that personal development is limited to attending formal training courses, while overlooking valuable on-the-job learning, reflective practice, and mentoring relationships.
- Failing to consider the 'protect the interests of others' aspect, such as neglecting to mention how personal competence impacts team safety, site conservation, or the well-being of volunteers and the public.
- Submitting feedback evidence that is generic or unactionable, without demonstrating how it was specifically used to change behaviour or improve competence.
- Overlooking the impact of light exposure, particularly UV radiation, on organic archaeological materials like textiles or wood, leading to accelerated fading and embrittlement.
- Assuming that a stable environment is sufficient without continuous monitoring, not recognizing that seasonal changes or equipment failure can cause rapid deterioration.
- Using inappropriate protective materials, such as non-archival plastics that off-gas harmful chemicals, due to a lack of understanding of material compatibility.
- Failing to consider the specific needs of different materials within a mixed collection, applying a one-size-fits-all environmental approach that can harm sensitive items.
Key Terminology & Definitions
- Know how to make judgements about their own level of competence, Know how to gain feedback from colleagues to support personal development, Know the key competences needed by managers working in archaeological operations, Know how personal development can contribute to the success of the organisation
- Be able to control the environment to preserve and protect items, Be able to monitor and modify the environment and the condition of an item, Know how to develop a framework for the protection of an item, Know how to apply methods for the protection of an item
- Know how to identify the handling requirements of an archaeological item, Know how to pack an archaeological item for transportation to a new location, Know how to monitor the transportation of items, Know how to monitor the installation of items within a new location
- Be able to prepare for investigation operations, Be able to observe and record measurements when implementing non-intrusive investigations, Be able to prepare records and schedules, Know how to implement non-intrusive investigations, Know the different techniques applicable to non-intrusive investigations, Know how to prepare records of non-intrusive investigations
- Be able to identify the handling requirements of an item, Be able to pack an item for transportation to a new location, Be able to monitor the transportation of items, Be able to monitor the installation of items within a new location
- Be able to apply routine stabilisation techniques, Be able to implement routine cleaning and repair techniques, Know how to apply routine stabilisation techniques, Know how to follow a conservation plan, Know how to treat the deterioration of an item, Know how to implement routine cleaning and repair, Know how to evaluate the effectiveness of a treatment
- Be able to identify the appropriate environment in which to maintain and protect items, Be able to control the environment to preserve and protect items, Know about the different environments applicable to archaeological items, Know how to monitor the suitability of the storage environment
- Be able to interpret customers requests for information on the material remains of past communities, Be able to access data sources and compile data on the material remains of past communities, Be able to collate and present data to meet customers’ requirements, Know how to interpret customers requests for information on the material remains of past communities, Know how to access data sources and compile data on the material remains of past communities, Know how to collate and present data to meet customers requirements
- Be able to identify the accommodation requirements of an item, Be able organise the preparation of facilities to accommodate items, Know how to identify the accommodation requirements of archaeological items, Know how to organise the preparation of facilities to accommodate archaeological items
- Be able to identify the sources and availability of information, Be able to collect information to achieve research objectives, Be able to analyse research information, Be able to report results, Know how to apply procedures for the collection and presentation of information
- Be able to develop their own knowledge and skills to improve performance, Be able to manage their time and resources to meet objectives, Be able to protect individual and community interests
- Be able to classify and compile data on the material remains of past communities, Be able to maintain data and records on the material remains of past communities, Know how to agree methods for classifying and compiling data on the material remains of past communities, Know how to maintain data and records on the material remains of past communities
- Be able to prepare for investigation operations, Be able to undertake intrusive investigations, Be able to prepare records and schedules, Know how to implement intrusive investigations, Know the different techniques applicable to intrusive investigations, Know how to prepare records of intrusive investigations
- Be able to operate safely in the workplace, Be able to effectively respond to emergencies, Be able to assist in ensuring the security of the workplace, Know how to apply organisation procedures to ensure health and safety, Know how to effectively respond to emergencies, Know how to assist with the security of the workplace