FREEDOM OF SPEECH

Submitted by: Vo Thi Thanh Truc

Student ID: 201706005
Subject: Research Methodology

HIU
June 25,2021
 Student’s name:____________________________ Student’s ID: ______________

Class: XH20-DHE

Worksheet 1:
IDENTIFYING THE RESEARCH TOPIC & RESEARCH
QUESTION
I/ RESEARCH TOPIC/ PROBLEM:

Step 1: Brainstorm what you like and concern about by filling out the following boxes (about 100
words altogether)

What do you enjoy doing What have you been studying in your
academically? course?
- Problem solve between countries - Regime
- Global issuses -Politics
- Social effects on our daily life -Human rights
- Global issues

What are you curious about? What do you want to change?

- Libaralism
- Culture - No racism anymore
- Society
- Theories
Step 2: Now that you have your ideas randomly jotted down, please draw up a mind map to identify
the connection between them.

Social issues Racism Human rights Society

Conflict Regime Politics

Protestant of innocent people with the government and the army

Step 3: Answer these questions to narrow your research topic

Your initial chosen topic: Social justice (Human rights in the world, culture)

Who? For people who want to understand more about human rights
especially is people who from non-democratic countries.
What aspect? My aspect about this topic can analyze these issues be clear and
fulfill on time.
Where? This topic mainly focuses between democratic and non-democratic
countries.
Why research? Personally, this research might be expanding my knowledge about
IR.
Limited topic: Limit of this research is the information and knowledge is wide, I have to narrow the scope
of this topic.

Step 4: Survey your topic to make sure the topic is research-able

Books: Speech, Media, and Ethics: The Limits of Free Expression : Critical Studies on Freedom
of Expression, Freedom of the Press, and the Public's Right to Know, Free Speech and
Human Dignity, Free Speech Without Democracy,…

Internet sources: https://vovworld.vn/en-US/current-affairs/freedom-of-speech-freedom-of-press-

ensured-in-vietnam-872304.vov

Step 5: Apply FINER criteria to finalize your research topic. Write your reasoning when you pick the
final topic

Criteria Why?

Feasibility (tính khả thi)
Interesting (tính thú vị)
Novelty (tính mới mẻ)
Ethics (tính đạo đức)
Personally, I think my research will reaching all of these
factors. This topic is kind of interesting myself because I am
come from a non-democratic country so this research can make
me understand more about human rights in my country and
another country. Also the relevance of this topic may effects
my mindset after I research.

Relevance (tính ảnh hưởng)

Your final chosen research topic:

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

II/ RESEARCH QUESTION:

Step 6: From the chosen research topic, write down 3-4 questions that you are interested in
 1. Are human rights only a problem in non-democratic countries?

2. Does Freedom of speech exist in non-democratic countries?

3.

4.

Step 7: Pick out the best research question out of those written in step 6 using the following criteria

CRITERIA Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

The question has a clear research objective YES YES

The question indicates the method used YES

The question indicates clearly the field of research YES

The question does NOT use hedging words (showing uncertainty) YES

The question does NOT carry loaded content YES

The question is NOT in the form of an incomplete sentence YES YES

The chosen research question:

Does Freedom of speech exist in non-democratic countries?

The instructor’s comment: Verdict:

c Beyond expectation
c Meeting expectation
c Incomplete:
+ Need to add extra information c
+ Redo everything c
Student’s name:_____________________________ Student’s ID: ______________

Class:

Worksheet 2:
DEFINING CONCEPTS & THEORIES
COMPILING A LIST OF RELEVANT SOURCES
Research question: Does Freedom of speech exist in non-democratic countries?

I/ IR THEORIES & CONCEPTS:

Step 1: For your research question, which concepts do you have to define in the first place?
Word of wisdom: NEVER ASSUME YOUR AUDIENCE UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPTS WITHOUT
EXPLANATION

Concepts Definition Who define (when?)

1. LIBERTY the state of being free Oxford dictionary

within society from
oppressive restrictions
imposed by authority on
one's way of life,
behavior, or political
views.
2. GLOBAL ISSUES global issue is any issue that https://www.definitions.net/definition/
adversely affects the global global+issue
community and
environment, such as
environmental issues,
political crisis, social issues,
and economic crisis. Global
issues range in severity from
minor issues that affect
everyone to global
catastrophic risks that
threaten the existence of the
entire human race or its
society.
3.
 Step 2: Locate the IR-related theoretical framework that supports your research (the framework might
comprise more than 1 theory).

Word of wisdom: The flow chart below is some food for thought and initial orientation

State your choice of theories here and explain your decision:

From my point of view about these theories, I am going to choose Realism and Marxism. Because these
two theories can cover my topic, especially is Realism. My topic is related to human rights so Realism
might help me some part of it.

II/ COMPILING AN ORGANISED LIST OF SOURCES & REFERENCE:

Step 3: Read the relevant literature and note down the sources. You can use this table as a sample to
organise your sources.

Minimum sources to be listed: 10 (among which books need to make up at least a half of the total)

No. Author(s) Title Types of Publisher Summary of main How relevant is

- Year sources content it to your
research?

1 Heyman, Free speech: Book Yale

Steven, J. Human dignity University
Press.
2 Raphael Speech, Media, Book
Cohen- and Ethics: The
 Almagor Limits of Free
Expression :
Critical Studies
on Freedom of
Expression,
Freedom of the
Press, and the
Public's Right to
Know
3 C. Edwin Human Liberty Book Oxford
Baker and Freedom of University
Speech Press, USA
4

10

Step 4: For each of the sources above, write down the correctly formatted citation entry for your
bibliography according to Harvard/ APA referencing style .
Word of wisdom: Spend efforts now as this extra mile can save you time later on when editing your
bibliography. Trust me, I was once in your shoes!

Each of the books it is a little bit different about the content but their final destination still discus about
Freedom of speech and having the specification of how and when free speech come.
The instructor’s comment: Verdict:

c Beyond expectation
c Meeting expectation
c Incomplete:
+ Need to add extra information c
+ Redo everything c
Student’s name:_____________________________ Student’s ID: ______________

Class:

Worksheet 3:
EVALUATING YOUR SOURCES
& WRITING A LITERATURE REVIEW
Research question: Does Freedom of speech exist in non-democratic countries?

III/ EVALUATE YOUR SOURCES:

Step 5: Following the steps you have conducted in Worksheet 2, evaluate your selected sources based
on the following criteria.

CRITERIA 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Relevance YES YES YES
(to your research)
Reliability YES YES
(the authority of
authors &
publishers)
Accuracy YES YES
(of data & evidence
used)
Clarity YES YES
(of information &
argument)
Logicality YES YES
(of argument)

Tick the boxes as you evaluate the sources but feel free to write down some brief notes to elaborate your
evaluation

Notes:

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________
Step 6: Finalise your list of literature by answering these following questions

IV/ WRITE A LITERATURE REVIEW

Step 7: With the sources you collected and your own evaluation of the materials, write a literature
review to show briefly what have been known about your research topic and how your research
question can contribute to the current literature. (about 300 words)

Word of wisdom: Kill two birds with one stone - A high quality literature review can justify your research
purpose as well as demonstrate your understanding your topic you are working on.

This research paper will explore more sides, strengths, weaknesses, and the effects of Freedom of
Speech. The development of society leads to the development of free speech. As you can see, Freedom
of speech is the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds by any means.
Freedom of speech and the right to Freedom of expression applies to ideas of all kinds, including those
that may be deeply offensive. But it comes with responsibilities, and we believe it can be legitimately
restricted. Freedom of speech is understood to be fundamental in a democracy. The image of Freedom
of speech is always associated and parallel with democratic countries. So, how about non-democratic
countries? Does free speech exist in non-democratic countries? This research will take some specific
countries like America and China to make the free speech issue clear and answer the above question.
The instructor’s comment: Verdict:

c Beyond expectation
c Meeting expectation
c Incomplete:
+ Need to add extra information c
+ Redo everything c
Student’s name:_____________________________ Student’s ID: ______________

Class:

Worksheet 4:
PRESENT THE LOGICAL REASONING OF YOUR RESEARCH
Research question: Does Freedom of speech exist in non-democratic countries?

GET YOUR LOGIC TOGETHER

Present the logic that backs up your research project using this model of thinking by De Bono. This can
also be used as the structure for your presentation at the end of the course.

TO - What does your research aim to do?

- How does your research contribute to the literature of International
Relations and associated fields?
LO - What is your research question?
- What is the current literature like?

PO -What is your hypothesis in this research?

==> THESIS STATEMENT
- Based on which ground does this hypothesis stand?
SO - How do you plan to verify/ test your hypothesis?
- Is field research necessary? If so, in what way?

GO - What is your overall plan to conduct this research project within 1

year? (note down important milestones in the journey and estimated
time spent on each task)

My research aims to analyze and explain Freedom of speech issue in many countries (especially
is non-democratic countries). Personally, I think that my research might be contribute to the
literature of IR. Because my topic is related to global issues like Human rights, so I think it can
be contributing a part to literature of IR. My research question is: Does Freedom of speech exist
in non-Democratic countries. Moreover, I have reference to many sources about free speech. My
hypothesis in this research is: Democratic countries are having more Freedom of speech than
non-Democratic countries, which is help me to cover this topic by this hypothesis.
The instructor’s comment: Verdict:

c Beyond expectation
c Meeting expectation
c Incomplete:
+ Need to add extra information c
+ Redo everything c
Student’s name:_____________________________ Student’s ID: ______________

Class:

Worksheet 5:
IDENTIFY THE APPROPRIATE RESEARCH METHOD
Research question: Does Freedom pf speech exist in non-democratic countries?

I/ ELEMENTS TO DETERMINE THE RESEARCH METHOD:

Step 1: Identify the elements that determine the research method in your research project

1. The subject of research is based on citizens in both democratic and non-democratic

countries comments their own thinking about “ Should free speech exist? ”

2. Data collection:
These information in this consider was collected through overviews and based on my knowledge.
The information collection was conducted inside one-month period utilizing individual
overviews. This consider basically depended on individual studies since it gave a better reaction
rate compared to other strategies.

3. Data analysis:
Data analysis is based on results and discussions about the project. By reducing accumulated
data to a manageable size, developing summaries, and applying statistical techniques and
experimental instruments, analyzing questionnaires, explaining relationship between variables.

4. How can the chose way of data collection and data analysis help to test your hypothesis?
In this case, I think it could help me to test my own hypothesis whether its right or wrong. My
hypothesis: Democratic countries are having more free speech than non-democratic countries.
 From my perspective, data collection and data analysis will contribute a part for my research.

II/ EVALUATE THE APPROPRIATENESS OF THE RESEARCH METHOD :

Ste 2: Use SWOT analysis to confirm whether the aforementioned method is appropriate

Điểm mạnh (Strengths) Điểm yếu (Weaknesses)

The strengthen is: having more reliable Outdated
sources for this topic.

Cơ hội (Opportunities) Thách thức (Threats)

Opportunities for reaching more Information easy to be manipulated
information or knowledge for everyone
about this issue.

The instructor’s comment: Verdict:

c Beyond expectation
c Meeting expectation
c Incomplete:
+ Need to add extra information c
+ Redo everything c
 I. THE RESEARCH TEAM
In the process of completing this research paper, I am the person who conducting this Freedom
of speech research. Also, I had study and analyze articles and book as my reference. Last but not
least, I have received a great deal of help, guidance, and encouragement from teachers and
friends.

II. LITERATURE REVIEW

This research paper will explore more sides, strengths, weaknesses, and the effects of Freedom
of Speech. The development of society leads to the development of free speech. Freedom of
speech was established in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution in 1791,
Freedom of religion, Freedom of the press, and the right to assemble. The First Amendment was
adopted on December 15, 1791, as part of the Bill of Rights—the first ten amendments to the
United States Constitution. Along with that, a succession of English thinkers was at the forefront
of early discussion on the right to Freedom of expression, among them John Milton (1608–74)
and John Locke (1632–1704). Locke established the individual as the unit of value and the bearer
of rights to life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness.
As you can see, Freedom of speech is the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas
of all kinds by any means. Freedom of speech and the right to Freedom of expression applies to
ideas of all kinds, including those that may be deeply offensive. But it comes with
responsibilities, and we believe it can be legitimately restricted. Freedom of speech is understood
to be fundamental in a democracy. The image of Freedom of speech is always associated and
parallel with democratic countries. So, how about non-democratic countries? Does free speech
exist in non-democratic countries? It is hard to answer this question; we have to research and
analyze situations in many countries around the world. This research will take some specific
countries like America and China to make the free speech issue clear and answer the above
question. Some background information about these two countries: The United States of
America (the U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America,
is primarily located in North America. This country has operated under a two-party system for
most of its history: the Democratic Party, founded in 1824, and the Republican Party, founded in
1854. China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's
most populous country, with a population of more than 1.4 billion. Opposition with America,
China is a one-party state ruled by the Communist Party of China; the central government is
located in Beijing's capital. First of all, we should talk discus about human rights in these two
countries. As you can see, human rights are respected and upheld in The United States because
Human rights in the United States are protected by law by the Constitution and later
constitutional amendments, international treaties passed by the United States Congress, state
legislatures, and elections. We can see how American citizens protect Human rights by
protesting through a wave of the "Black Lives Matter" movement. Opposition with the image of
how Americans protect human rights then Human rights in the People's Republic of China is
unprotected and appreciated. It is also an issue of contention between the Chinese government
and other countries and non-governmental organizations. The US State Department, Amnesty
International and Human Rights Watch have accused the Chinese government of restricting
citizens' rights to Freedom of speech, movement, and religion. Through the comparisons about
Human Rights in The United States and China, we could see the opposition about how Human
rights work in these countries. So let go back to our main topic. Freedom of speech is a part of
Human rights. Freedom of expression is recognized as a human right under article 19 of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and recognized in international human rights
law in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. In many democratic countries,
free speech was not a strange term for people from those countries. However, Freedom of speech
in non-democratic countries is still limited. Here are some examples of these limitations of free
speech in China: Although the 1982 constitution guarantees Freedom of speech, the Chinese
government often uses the "subversion of state power" and "protection of state secrets" clauses in
their law system to imprison those who criticize the government. Also, Censorship in the
People's Republic of China is the government censors content for mainly political reasons and
maintains its control over the populace. So, we should take a look at another country that is non-
democratic for this issue. Vietnam is a country in Southeast Asia. This country is also following
Communist Party like China. But this country is the opposite of what you see with China.
According to the VOVWORLD press, Freedom of speech and Freedom of the press are
fundamental human rights that Vietnam is committed under the general principles of the
Universal Declaration on Human Rights. Vietnam is a country of free press and speech. So, we
can not deny that free speech still exists in non-democratic countries. Freedom of speech is
approached differently in different countries because of fundamental differences in their history,
culture, ideology and political regime, and these rights are never allowed to be abused to
sabotage national interests, undermine an individual's dignity and honour, or negatively affect
community morality or the social order. Each country in the world will have its own rules and
system to maintain its order; after this research, we can see that the same problem is free speech,
but the way it operates in many countries is different. Also, much research pointed out that
Freedom of speech is usually seen as a negative right. This means that the government is legally
obliged to take no action against the speaker based on the speaker's views, but that no one is
obliged to help any speakers publish their views, and no one is required to listen to, agree with,
or acknowledge the speaker or the speaker's views.
In short, Freedom of speech still exists in non-democratic countries. But it still has a lot of
limitations about this right. Also is the right to Freedom of speech is closely related to other
rights and may be limited when conflicting with other rights. As a general principle, Freedom of
expression may not modify the right to privacy, as well as the honour and reputation of others.

III. RESEARCH QUESTION

My research question is: Does Freedom of speech exist in non-democratic countries? I think with
this question it can cover my topic and also narrow the scope of researching for this topic. To
answer this question, I have to find information about this right in many countries, to explain and
make this question clear in my paper.
 IV. RESEARCH METHOD
Research Design: The quantitative and qualitative approach was chosen as the research design.
This research design is the strategy for a study and the plan by which strategy is to be carried out.
It specifies the methods and procedures for the collection, measurement, and analysis of data.
Research Procedures: The research procedures are made by my knowledge, reading book, and
articles about Freedom of speech to clarifying research question. Moreover, to fulfilling this
research paper about free speech.

V. RESEARCH JUSTIFICATION
This research is conducted because I want to be knowing more sides about Freedom of speech
and the effects of this right on people who come from democratic and non-democratic countries.
In academic way, I think my research its might be helpful and having a little bit contribution to
the literature of International Relations.

VI. PROPOSED PLAN

This research paper was beginning on 22nd February 2021 and finished on 25th June 2021, about
four months. During that time, I had study about Research Methodology which help me to fulfill
the topic that I chose. Moreover, I got a plan and finish five worksheets, and it is easier for me to
reaching the methodology to fulfill this research.
 REFERENCES
Raphael. C. A. (2000). Speech, Media, and Ethics: The Limits of Free Expression : Critical
Studies on Freedom of Expression, Freedom of the Press, and the Public's Right to
Know.
Steven J. Heyman. (2008). Free Speech and Human Dignity. Yale University Press.
Ashutosh, A. B. (2015, May 15). Free Speech Without Democracy.
Edwin, B. (1992). Human Liberty and Freedom of Speech. Oxford University Press, USA.
Anonymous. (2020, June 18). Freedom of speech, freedom of press ensured in Vietnam. VOV
WORLD. Retrieved from
https://vovworld.vn/en-US/current-affairs/freedom-of-speech-freedom-of-press-ensured-
in-vietnam-872304.vov