Notes Compiled By: Olabiyi O.

B
Global Perspectives - Written Paper Tips, and Notes

Global Perspectives
Possible Strengths and Weakness, of the evidence:

(How well does X support his view with argument and evidence) (Note: Find reasonable evidence
that you can see a particular strength or weakness in the source):

Strengths Weaknesses

Amount/range of Range of factual evidence is used, and • There is very little clear, specific statistical/
Evidence comprises of several different types: statistical numerical evidence
and behavioural • The facts are weak as they are based on
statistics/examples which may not continue
Several different types of evidence are used – • The facts are weak as they are based on
opinion, fact, statistics, values examples which may not be typical

Relevance of the • the factual evidence is generally relevant; • The evidence is not easy to verify/check from
Evidence used forcefully in a strongly worded the information provided
argument • Too much reliance on anecdotal evidence/
• research evidence is cited facts
• Evidence may be out of date
• Examples may not apply to other places/
countries/cultures etc.
• Personal testimony/anecdote/values may not
apply to other places/countries etc.

Ambiguity/Clarity • The evidence is related clearly and explicitly • Evidence is not cited – the dates and sources
to the argument are not clear
• method of research is alleged/unclear • Accuracy of the examples is not clear
• Level of expertise of the author is not clear –
may have poor knowledge claims in practice

• Clearly reasoned, credible and structured evaluation; usually two (or more) developed points clearly
linked to the issue, usually with some other undeveloped points; or a wide range (three or more) of
undeveloped points.

• A convincing overall assessment or conclusion is reached.

1
 Notes Compiled By: Olabiyi O.B
Testing a claim (Types of Information, Sources, and Methods)

Types of Information Sources Methods

• Compare statistics/information on • National and local governments and • Review of secondary sources/
internet usage and privacy – for their departments, reputed officers literature/research/documents
individual from the department • Interviews
• Countries and globally; trends • International organisations e.g. • Interview relevant experts
• Interview or questionnaire data from United Nations; UNESCO; UNICEF; • Internet search
local people WHO; UNSC etc. • Questionnaires
• Interview or questionnaire data from • Experts on the relevant topic (Ex. a • Surveys
professionals in internet security – professor from a relevant • Case studies
e.g. police/security businesses/ department of university) • Other relevant response
government security • Research reports
• expert testimony • Pressure groups, charities and
• material from international NGOs nongovernment organisations
and pressure groups • Media and worldwide web
• Clearly reasoned, credible and structured explanation of ways to find out if it is likely to happen.
The response is likely to contain two (or more) developed points, and may contain some
undeveloped points.

• The response is clearly and explicitly related to the statement.

Types of Statements:

• Value Judgment: A value judgement is generally defined as a view or belief about what is important;
reference to ethics and morals.

• Prediction: A prediction is a claim about something that is likely to happen in the future.

• Opinion: An opinion is a point of view, belief, judgement or something that someone thinks but
which cannot be verified or proven to be true.; a personal belief.

• Fact: Something that can be proven, or is already proven.

A vested interest is a special concern about something due to personal gain or advantage; a strong reason for
supporting a particular point of view or action to gain individual or group benefit/advantage, which could be
economic, social, political, or other. E.g. candidates may identify one of the following:  Ivan has a vested
interest in governments spending more money on hospitals because he has an illness.
•

Whose reasoning works better?

You should aim to give: Clear, credible and well supported points about which reasoning works better.
Coherent, structured evaluation of both arguments with clear comparison. The response is likely to
contain three (or more) developed evaluative points, and may include some undeveloped points

2
 Notes Compiled By: Olabiyi O.B
Quality of the argument Quality of the evidence
• clarity • relevance
• tone – emotive; exaggerated; precise • sufficiency – sample
• language • source – media; radio
• balance date – how recent
• factual, opinion, value, anecdote
• use of arguments/counterarguments
• testimony – from experience and
expert

Knowledge claims Ability to see

Sources of bias Acceptability of their values to others o how likely

Likelihood of solutions working and consequences

The Last Evaluative 20-marker

• State the decision – why

• Impact of decision on local, national and global scale

• Time consumed to put it into action

• Finances – feasibility

• Comparative analysis of developing and developed nations

• Socio-cultural impacts: the effects of cultural differences and beliefs

• Will it create any ethical/cultural conflicts? If yes, then how will the government be able to tackle it?

• Other perspectives and rebutting – vested interest/ biases

• Reference to the scale of impact on individual/group/governmental behaviour/actions

• Barriers to change

• The power of collective action

• The difficulties of changing individual behaviour

• The influence of individuals and groups acting locally

• The role of vested interests and power differences

3
 Notes Compiled By: Olabiyi O.B
• Difficulties in coordinating globally and across different

Cost and access to resources to implement change

• Governmental responses and action