Definitions Types of information 1. Fact - Pieces of information that are true, and are verifiable by observation and prior knowledge to prove their truth. 2. Opinion - Beliefs, views or judgements. It is not verifiable by observation, but can be agreed/disagreed with. 3. Predictions - Attempt to foresee or say what will happen in the future. It is not verifiable by observation until the event occurs. 4. Value Judgements - Particular kinds of opinions which attempt to differentiate good from bad or right from wrong. An issue is a topic or problem that can be debated or discussed. Cause: something which produces a result; a person or thing which is responsible for a situation, action or event. Consequence: an effect which follows logically from a cause; something which happens because of another situation, action or event. Types of perspectives o Personal perspectives: this is a perspective that an individual has about an issue. It is influenced by local and national perspectives, but also by the reflective thinking that each individual does. o Local perspectives can be related to a small part of a country, especially when there are differences within a country. Local perspectives can also relate to a region which is much bigger than a country and which can share a common perspective on some issues. o National perspectives are related to a particular country as a whole. National perspectives include: Issues relating to government policy What is best for the country The way in which the people of that country see things. o Global perspectives are related to the world as a whole. Reasons for doing a specific action Justify your choice using the following reasons: possible positive/negative consequences or effects on individuals/groups/countries/globally degree of impact on quality of life degree of impact on human rights how many people/groups/countries are affected/benefit increasing cycle of benefit how widespread the benefit is how easy to help people/improve quality of life effects on society generally other reasonable response Evaluating an issue the consequences/impact the benefits for individuals, countries and the world human rights issues affect everyone issues of value and beliefs about rights and responsibilities morality – issues of right and wrong from different cultures vulnerable individuals/groups other reasonable responses Strengths and weaknesses of arguments Strengths factual evidence whether several different types of fact are used is the factual evidence is generally relevant? is the evidence is related clearly and explicitly to the argument? is the evidence is used forcefully in a strongly worded argument? is research evidence is cited? is personal experience used? other reasonable response Weaknesses research evidence is partially cited – the source and authorship are not clear level of expertise of the author is not clear – may have poor knowledge claims method of research is alleged/unclear there is only a little clear, specific statistical/numerical evidence the evidence is not easy to verify/check from the information provided too much reliance on opinion and personal anecdote evidence may be out of date personal testimony/anecdote/values may not apply to other places/countries etc. other reasonable responses Testing claims Possible Types of Information compare statistics/information for individuals, countries and globally interview or questionnaire data expert testimony material from international NGOs and pressure groups other relevant response Possible Sources of Information national and local governments and their departments international organisations e.g. United Nations; UNESCO research reports pressure groups, charities and non government organisations media and worldwide web other relevant response Possible Methods review of secondary sources/literature/research/documents interviews interview relevant experts internet search questionnaires surveys other relevant response Questioning Knowledge Claims While evaluating reasoning in source materials, consider: quality of the argument clarity tone – emotive; exaggerated; precise language balance quality of the evidence relevance sufficiency – sample source – media; radio date – how recent factual, opinion, value, anecdote testimony – from experience and expert knowledge claims ability to see sources of bias gender political personal values experience likelihood of solutions working and consequences of their ideas acceptability of their values to others how likely other people are to agree with their perspective/view Assessing courses of action reference to scale of impact on individual/group/governmental behaviour/actions how long it takes to make a difference the effects of cultural differences and beliefs barriers to change the power of collective action
