Individual report – Checklist structure

Research question:

• A focused global question that can be answered from consideration of the perspectives
(local and/or national and global), and different viewpoints within these.

Introduction
Method to follow

• Opening statement
• Thesis statement
• Mapping

Context of the global issue – (you can formulate your own heading around this based on
your issue)
• Give a general overview of the issue.
• Explain its significance in a global context.
• In what way is this issue relevant?

Causes of your issue

• Claim 1
• Reasoning 1
• Evidence 1

• Claim 2
• Reasoning 2
• Evidence 2

• Comparison between the causes – which is there a more significant cause? Explain.

Consequences of your issue

• Claim 1
• Reasoning 1
• Evidence 1

• Claim 2
• Reasoning 2
• Evidence 2

• Comparison between the consequences – which consequence is the most likely or severe?
Explain.

Local perspective and/or National

• At least 2 examples of evidence of actual views on the issue – not just information from
another country.
 o Note: A perspective is always based on a view, opinion, or attitude: on what people
think or feel about the issue. Some weak responses to this section will produce
general information, facts and figures on a topic from different parts of the world.
(Avoid this)

• Government statements, policy documents, laws etc. with clear explanation as to what
these mean in terms of their perspective of the issue.
• Some evidence in support of this perspective - explain
• Some evidence against the perspective - explain

Global perspective
• At least 2 examples of evidence of actual views on the issue – not just information from
“many countries”.
o Note: A perspective is always based on a view, opinion, or attitude: on what people
think or feel about the issue. Some weak responses to this section will produce
general information, facts and figures on a topic from different parts of the world.

• Try to use evidence from well-known global, scientific, political, economic organisations etc.
• Some evidence in support of perspective - explain
• Some evidence against the perspective - explain

(If you struggle to do this compare and contrast for both perspectives 1 will suffice – however,
explanation of any point is a requirement) – why are you making the point? What purpose does it
serve for your research question?

Reasons for your issue (in support of)

• Claim of support 1
• Explanation 1
• Evidence 1

• Claim of support 2
• Explanation 2
• Evidence 2

Consider whether there are causes and consequences for these points made in support of.

Reasons against your issue (in opposition to)

• Reason against 1
• Explanation 1
• Evidence 1

• Reasons against 2
• Explanation 2
• Evidence 2

Consider whether there are causes and consequences for these points made against.

Course of action
 • One developed and focused course of action.
• How would the course of action be carried out, by whom and what would their impact be?
• The course of action should be directly relevant/linked to:
o The issue, and/or the main cause or the worst consequence of the issue.

Evaluation of sources
This can be done when providing the relevant reasoning and evidence.

3 points of evaluation on more than 1 source.

• Consider
• Reliability
• Possible bias
• Opinion
• Authenticity

Personal perspective and conclusion

• Development of personal perspective through research findings
o State your perspective on the issue. How has my own perspective been formed or
changed (state your stance before research) by the findings of my research, by
other people’s perspectives, by different causes and consequences and the sources
that I have found to back up the different perspectives?