IGCSE Global Perspective Complete Guide

TYPES OF GP QUESTIONS by Aditi Prasad

Q1. Always Source 1 and 2

a)    IDENTIFY TRENDS – Carefully read the information in the INSERT

b)    IDENTIFY CAUSE OR EVALUATE TRENDS CHANGE – Carefully analyse  

c)    REASON FOR b) – evaluate this – WHO, WHY, HOW

d)    EXPLAIN PERSPECTIVE (Global, local, national) – Constantly refer back to the question: Give environmental, economic, social, cultural, political views

Q2. Always Source 3

a) “How well does the author use evidence to support the claim that…”  

ð  Authors view + his tone – 

• Emotionally charged, 
• serious, 
• assured, knowledgeable

ð  How he supports it

• KNOWLEDGE CLAIMS 

o   Stats?

o   Fact?

o   Anecdote?

o   Published studies?

ð How he could improve it + the weakness in his argument

§  research evidence is partially cited – the date, title, author and source are not fully clear

§  level of expertise of the author is not clear and only asserted – may have poor knowledge claims in practice

§  method of research of source/citation is unclear

§  there is no clear, specific statistical/numerical evidence

§  the evidence is not easy to verify/check from the information provided

§  too much reliance on opinion

§  evidence may be out of date

§  personal testimony/anecdote/values may not apply to other places/ countries etc.

§  the evidence may be presented in a biased way (self interest)

§  use of examples is anecdotal

§  language used to support evidence is exaggerated

Format:

Quality of claim- Fact, opinion, value judgement + claim

Tone 

Quality of evidence- Statistical, anecdotal(generalised? Recent?)

Weakness of arugement 

Vested interest/bias?

Practicality/acceptability

1. Local
2. National
3. Global

Evaluate whether I feel compelled to agree with them – A convincing overall assessment or conclusion.

b) “How could you test this claim? You may consider the types of information, sources of evidence or methods you might use.”

=> Evaluate the types of information:

-Possible types of information:

1.     compare statistics/information past and present

2.    data from experts in the field  

3.    individual testimony or personal experience  

4.    material from international organisations and pressure groups

=> Evaluate source of information:

-Possible sources of information:

o   national and local governments and their departments

o   international organisations, e.g. United Nations; UNESCO

o   experts

o   research reports

o   pressure groups, charities and NGOs

o   media and world wide web

=> Suggest Possible methods:

o   review of secondary sources/literature/research/documents

o   interview relevant experts and professionals

o   internet search

o   questionnaires

o   surveys

AT LEAST 3 DEVELOPED POINTS. IN CONCLUSION OF ANSWER DISCUSS HOW THE EVALUATION ALLOWS US TO VERIFY OR VALIDATE THE CLAIM.

c) “How effective do you think this method is?”

Evaluative points:

• some evidence can be provided – opinion, values

• the evidence will come from appropriate subjects/target

• will only get responses from a small segmented of those affected(SURVEY)

• method of research is time consuming and labour intensive

• there will probably be little clear, specific statistical/numerical evidence

• too much reliance on opinion

• evidence takes a long time to collect and analyse

•(In case of public interest) The response is to clearly and explicitly be related to collecting public opinion.

Format:

• What is the method
• Why is helps to gain info
• Why it does not help to gain the info
• Time?
• Cost?
• Other concerns

Clearly reasoned, credible and structured explanation of the effectiveness of the method. Must contain two (or more) developed points, and may contain some undeveloped points.

d)      “How could you persuade people in..”

FORMAT-

• who you need to persuade and why – Straightforward; “I would convince… as they are most affected by it”

• what you need to tell them- 

1. Sense of urgency by amplifying the issue with certainty – statistical data and pictures.
2. They have the power to do something about it 
3. reasons for the need for change
   1. Quantitative and Qualitative relations between the issues
   2. Show impact- WHOM AND WHY

• the method(s) you would use – advertising, interviews, posters, campaign, workshop, etc.

Q3. Source 

A)IDENTIFY- Carefully from the case study

b)    EXPLAIN –identification from case study

c)    IDENTIFY A CERTAIN TYPE OF ARGUMENT:

1. Fact- a verifiable piece of information
2. Opinion- a view or judgement formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge
3. Value judgement– assessment of the rightness or wrongness of something // defined as a view or belief about what is important/ethical/moral/right or wrong.
4. Claim- an assertion that something is true, can be based on facts or cannot be based off facts
5. Prediction- attempts to forsee or say what will happen in the future

d)    “Which argument is more convincing?  Your answer should consider both arguments, and you should support your point of view with their words.

You should also consider:

• the strength of their reasoning and evidence

• their use of language

• different types of information.”

ð  Person 1

o   Strength of reasoning:

• logic

• structure

• balance

• claims

o   Use of language:

• tone – emotive, exaggerated; precise

• clarity

o   Evidence:

• range of information and depth

• relevance

• sufficiency – sample

• source – media; internet

• date – how recent

• different types of information – fact, opinion, value, anecdote

• testimony – from experience and expert

o   Sources of bias:

• local interest

• economic

• personal values

o   Acceptability of their values to others:

• how likely other people are to agree with their perspective/view

• likely consequences of the ideas presented

REPEAT WITH PERSON 2’S ARGUMENT AND COMPARE WHICH IS STRONGER AND WHY AS THE CONCLUSION.

Q4. Source 1-4

a)    “Recommend a certain decision with why…

• state your recommendation
• give reasons to support your choice
• use the material in the Sources and/or any of your own ideas
• consider different arguments and perspectives.”

Are expecting to use and develop the material found in Sources 1–4, but should go beyond simply repeating or recycling without adaptation. Other material may be introduced but it is not necessary to gain full marks.

Format:

1. State the Choice Picked/ Opinion – 1
2. Advantages- why it fulfils goal-3
   1. environmental, 
   2. economic, 
   3. social, 
   4. cultural
3. Disadvantages of other options- why Effect on whom and why is it not benefiting to them – 3
4. Gloss overr disadvantages of picked decisions but follow with – “nonetheless this outweighs the aforementioned advantages given above”
5. Local Effect Overall -2
6. National Effect Overall – 2
7. Global Effect Overall – 2
8. Cultural Effect – barriers? – 2
9. Consequences of the decision being made:
   1. Potential conflicts – 4
      1. Taxpayers and Citizens
      2. Home country business
      3. Government
      4. Outer world
   2. Influence on important stakeholders – 1
10. Compared to other decisions:
    1. Cost – 2
    2. Time – 2
11. Leading to a conclusion of finally why it is the best solution. – 1 (How advantages overlap the disadvantages/or better results long term/short term/or why more effective then other methods)

24 Marks total – four (or more) developed points, and some undeveloped points