Cambridge Syllabus Notes

Research, Analysis & Evaluation in Global Perspectives

1️⃣ Research – Gathering the Evidence

Think of research like building a LEGO set: you need the right pieces (data) and a clear instruction manual (question) to create something meaningful.

🔍 Define the question: What exactly do you want to find out? Write it in one clear sentence.
📚 Collect sources: Use books, reputable websites, news articles, and interviews. Check the author’s credibility.
🗂️ Organise data: Create a table or a mind‑map to keep facts, dates, and quotes tidy.
✍️ Take notes: Write down key points in your own words to avoid plagiarism.

Exam Tip: Start your research early—use at least three different types of sources and keep a citation list ready for the bibliography.

2️⃣ Analysis – Making Sense of the Data

Analysis is like solving a mystery: you look for clues, patterns, and connections.

🔎 Identify patterns: Are there trends over time? Use a simple line graph if possible.
📊 Compare perspectives: Look at how different sources view the same issue.
🤔 Question assumptions: Ask “Why is this happening?” and “What could be another explanation?”
🧩 Build a narrative: Connect the dots to explain the bigger picture.

Exam Tip: Use the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) framework to structure your analysis clearly.

3️⃣ Evaluation – Deciding What to Do

Evaluation is the final step where you decide if the evidence supports a particular action or solution.

Evaluation Criteria	Example Question	Possible Conclusion
Relevance	How does this data help answer the research question?	Only data that directly relates to the question is kept.
Credibility	Is the source trustworthy?	Give more weight to peer‑reviewed articles.
Bias	Could the author’s perspective influence the data?	Note potential bias and consider counter‑evidence.

Exam Tip: End your essay with a clear recommendation or action plan that follows logically from your evaluation.

4️⃣ Putting It All Together – The Line of Reasoning

Use this simple flowchart style outline to keep your argument coherent:

🧩 Research Question → Gather evidence.
🔍 Evidence Analysis → Identify patterns and compare viewpoints.
⚖️ Evaluation → Judge relevance, credibility, and bias.
📜 Conclusion & Action → State your position and propose a solution.

Exam Tip: Use linking words like therefore, however, consequently to show the flow of your reasoning.

5️⃣ Quick Reference Cheat Sheet

Step	What to Do	Why It Matters
1. Question	Write a clear, focused question.	Guides all your research.
2. Sources	Collect at least 5 credible sources.	Ensures a balanced view.
3. Analysis	Look for patterns, contradictions, and gaps.	Builds a strong argument.
4. Evaluation	Assess relevance, credibility, bias.	Shows critical thinking.
5. Conclusion	Summarise findings and propose action.	Leaves a clear takeaway.

Final Exam Tip: Keep your essay under 500 words, use clear paragraphs, and always link back to your original research question.

develop a line of reasoning to support an argument, a perspective or course(s) of action