use research to support judgements about arguments and perspectives

📚 Research, Analysis and Evaluation – A-Level Global Perspectives & Research 9239

1. What is Research?

Research is a systematic way of looking for information, testing ideas, and building knowledge. Think of it like a detective story: you gather clues (data), follow leads (sources), and piece together the truth.

2. Types of Research

• 🔬 Quantitative – uses numbers and statistics. Example: “In 2023, 78 % of students preferred online learning.”
• 🧠 Qualitative – explores meanings, feelings, and experiences. Example: “Students feel that online learning reduces social interaction.”

3. Finding Reliable Sources

Use trusted databases, academic journals, and reputable news outlets. Avoid blogs or unverified social media posts.

4. Evaluating Sources

Ask yourself:

1. 👤 Authority – Who wrote it? Are they an expert?
2. 📚 Accuracy – Are facts checked? Are there citations?
3. ⚖️ Bias – Is the author presenting a balanced view?
4. ⏰ Currency – Is the information up-to-date?

5. Using Research to Support Arguments

When you build an argument, use evidence from reliable sources to back up each claim. Remember the PEEL structure:

1. 📌 Point – State your claim.
2. 📈 Evidence – Provide data or quotes.
3. 🔍 Explain – Show how the evidence supports the point.
4. 🔗 Link – Connect back to the main argument.

6. Example: Climate Change Debate

🔍 Claim: Human activity is the main driver of recent global warming.

📈 Evidence: The IPCC reports a 1.1 °C rise in global average temperature since the pre‑industrial era.

🔍 Explain: The increase aligns with the spike in fossil fuel emissions, which are quantified as $CO_2$ emissions of 35 Gt per year.

🔗 Link: This supports the need for policy changes to reduce emissions.

7. Activity: Evaluate a Source

1️⃣ Find an article on a current global issue. 2️⃣ Apply the evaluation criteria from the table. 3️⃣ Write a short paragraph explaining why the source is reliable or not.

8. Summary

Research is your toolkit for uncovering truth. By locating trustworthy sources, evaluating them critically, and using evidence to build arguments, you can make well‑supported judgments about any global perspective.