About This Subject
This subject is not mainly a knowledge-based subject like Biology, History or Geography.
A student is not expected to memorise detailed facts about climate change, migration, healthcare, sport, technology and all the other syllabus topics. Cambridge states that the topics provide contexts in which students develop skills, while knowledge of topic content is not assessed. It also says students are not expected to have experience of every topic.
1: Core Concepts And Global Perspectives Skills
2: Research Methods, Evidence And Source Evaluation
3: Written Exam Preparation
4: The Individual Report
5: The Team Project
6: Global Topics 1–8
7: Global Topics 9–15
8: Global Topics 16–22
9: Practice Tasks, Model Responses And Checklists
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Learning Objectives
Plan an Individual Report that meets the official requirements and develops research, analysis, evaluation, reflection and communication.
Official Requirements To Remember
Individual Report
- The report is worth 60 marks.
- It must use one topic from the official topic list.
- The issue should be current, important and capable of dividing opinion.
- The title must be a global research question.
- The report must be 1500–2000 words.
- It should include local and/or national perspectives and global perspectives.
- It should analyse causes and consequences, evaluate sources, consider actions, reflect and answer the research question.
Research Question Workshop
Too Broad
How does technology affect education?
Improved
To what extent should secondary schools replace printed textbooks with digital textbooks?
- Use a question that allows disagreement.
- Define the affected group or policy clearly.
- Keep a global dimension.
- Avoid a question that can be answered with a simple fact.
- Check that reliable contrasting sources are available.
Planning Map
- Define the global issue and explain why it matters now.
- Identify two or more contrasting perspectives.
- Research causes and consequences.
- Evaluate source credibility while taking notes.
- Compare possible courses of action.
- Develop your own reasoned perspective.
- Plan reflection on how research affected your view.
- Draft the conclusion so it directly answers the question.
Perspective Table
For Each Perspective Record
- Who holds the perspective?
- What do they believe?
- What reasons and evidence support it?
- What values or interests influence it?
- What are its strengths and limitations?
- How does it compare with another perspective?
Source Evaluation Record
For Every Major Source
- Author or organisation.
- Relevant expertise.
- Purpose and intended audience.
- Evidence and research method.
- Date and geographical relevance.
- Possible bias or vested interest.
- How the source will be used in the report.
Final Report Checklist
Before Submission
- The title is a focused global research question.
- The report remains within 1500–2000 words.
- Local and/or national and global perspectives are explored.
- Causes and consequences are analysed.
- Sources are evaluated rather than merely listed.
- Courses of action are considered and judged.
- My own perspective follows from research.
- Reflection explains learning or change.
- The conclusion answers the question.
- All sources are cited and referenced consistently.
- The work is entirely my own.
Lesson Summary
- A suitable question is focused, global, researchable and open to disagreement.
- Perspectives must be analysed and compared rather than collected as quotations.
- Source evaluation should occur throughout research.
- The conclusion and personal perspective must follow from evidence.
- Academic honesty and the word limit are essential.
