Individual Research Report
Each student carries out research on a global question devised from the specified list of topics (outlined below) for this component of the course. The individual research report is worth a total of 60 marks, which is 30% of the final IGCSE grade. While there may be some overlap in work completed on the same topic, each student's report must be a distinct piece of work which comprises their own research and ideas. Each student must devise their own question. The students uses the global research question as the title for their report. The report must be between 1500 and 2000 words.
An example of a research question that might form the basis of the report could be based on the topic of the digital world. The research could focus on the following global question: Given the relatively brief history of the internet, how much has it contributed to
society?
Students explore issues within the topic, and answer their global research question from local and/or national and global perspectives. They conclude their report by indicating how their research has impacted their personal perspective. Students may structure their report in equally valid and different ways. They might consider the situation in their own country and locality depending on the availability of relevant evidence. As a conclusion, they might explore the effects on society giving their personal perspective in response to their question and using evidence from their research.
This sets out one possible approach. Other possible approaches could be equally acceptable. Students should focus their research initially on identifying and exploring the context of a current global topic. They should then consider the issues within that topic, according to their global research question, from a range of perspectives. These include local and/or national and global perspectives, and different viewpoints within these (for example, those of farmers and local politicians). By engaging with these perspectives, students can demonstrate that they understand the arguments, reasoning or claims upon which these perspectives are based. students should consider the causes, consequences and possible courses of action of the issue(s) in question.
The report must be written in continuous text and should not incorporate multimedia. There should be no use of emails, blogs and posters. Students can include tables, diagrams and photographs. These must be integral to the argument. Any text must be included as part of the word-count.
society?
Students explore issues within the topic, and answer their global research question from local and/or national and global perspectives. They conclude their report by indicating how their research has impacted their personal perspective. Students may structure their report in equally valid and different ways. They might consider the situation in their own country and locality depending on the availability of relevant evidence. As a conclusion, they might explore the effects on society giving their personal perspective in response to their question and using evidence from their research.
This sets out one possible approach. Other possible approaches could be equally acceptable. Students should focus their research initially on identifying and exploring the context of a current global topic. They should then consider the issues within that topic, according to their global research question, from a range of perspectives. These include local and/or national and global perspectives, and different viewpoints within these (for example, those of farmers and local politicians). By engaging with these perspectives, students can demonstrate that they understand the arguments, reasoning or claims upon which these perspectives are based. students should consider the causes, consequences and possible courses of action of the issue(s) in question.
The report must be written in continuous text and should not incorporate multimedia. There should be no use of emails, blogs and posters. Students can include tables, diagrams and photographs. These must be integral to the argument. Any text must be included as part of the word-count.