Selecting Suitable Selecting Suitable QuestionsQuestions

Research Questions / TitlesResearch Questions / TitlesCambridge Pre-UCambridge Pre-U

GPRGPR

ThemesThemes

Remember that there are five Remember that there are five themes that dictate our themes that dictate our curriculum content:curriculum content: EthicsEthics EconomicsEconomics EnvironmentEnvironment TechnologyTechnology Politics and CulturePolitics and Culture

TopicsTopics

Select a topic that engages your Select a topic that engages your own interest and that coincides own interest and that coincides with one or more of the themes:with one or more of the themes: Ethics:Ethics:

Genetic engineeringGenetic engineering Medical ethics and prioritiesMedical ethics and priorities Standard of living or quality of lifeStandard of living or quality of life Ethical foreign policiesEthical foreign policies The religious-secular divideThe religious-secular divide

Topics (continued)Topics (continued)

EconomicsEconomics Globalization of economic activityGlobalization of economic activity The economic role of womenThe economic role of women The impact of the internetThe impact of the internet

EnvironmentEnvironment Industrial pollutionIndustrial pollution Biodiversity and threats to the worldBiodiversity and threats to the world’’s s

natural heritagenatural heritage Global climate change: science and Global climate change: science and

politicspolitics Urbanization and the countrysideUrbanization and the countryside

Topics (continued)Topics (continued)

TechnologyTechnology Alternatives to oilAlternatives to oil Artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence Online and interactive communitiesOnline and interactive communities

Politics and CulturePolitics and Culture The emergence of China/India as a The emergence of China/India as a

global superpowerglobal superpower Endangered culturesEndangered cultures International lawInternational law Integration and multiculturalismIntegration and multiculturalism

Developing a TitleDeveloping a Title

““TitleTitle”” refers to a research refers to a research question that you will plan to question that you will plan to study.study.

A well-developed research title A well-developed research title will enable you to demonstrate will enable you to demonstrate your newly acquired skills in your newly acquired skills in deconstruction, reconstruction, deconstruction, reconstruction, reflection, and presentation.reflection, and presentation.

Examples of Good QuestionsExamples of Good Questions

Theme: EthicsTheme: Ethics Topic: The religious-secular Topic: The religious-secular dividedivide

RQ: Is a fundamentalist view of Islam mutually RQ: Is a fundamentalist view of Islam mutually exclusive with life in a 21exclusive with life in a 21stst Century Western Century Western culture?culture?

Theme: EconomicsTheme: Economics Topic: Migration & workTopic: Migration & work

RQ: If the U.S. gives legal status to illegal RQ: If the U.S. gives legal status to illegal immigrants, will this hurt the economic immigrants, will this hurt the economic recovery?recovery?

Theme: Politics & CultureTheme: Politics & Culture Topic: Topic: Transnational orgsTransnational orgs

RQ: Is it time to disband the United Nations?RQ: Is it time to disband the United Nations?

How do I know if my question How do I know if my question is any good?is any good? Does the question reflect a global issue?Does the question reflect a global issue? Does the question arouse your interest?Does the question arouse your interest? Does the question open the possibility for Does the question open the possibility for

debate?debate? Will the question lead to intellectual Will the question lead to intellectual

argument?argument? Does the question allow you to use skills Does the question allow you to use skills

from the critical path?from the critical path? Can the question be answered in suitable Can the question be answered in suitable

depth within the limit?depth within the limit?