Global Affairs, International Relations and Politics

Building a Winning Research Strategy for Politics, International Relations, and Global Affairs: A Student's Guide

Imagine you're preparing a policy brief on a pressing international issue. You wouldn't just rely on a single news article, right? You'd need to research relevant treaties, historical context, and diverse perspectives. The same goes for academic research in politics, international relations, and global affairs. A well-crafted search strategy is your roadmap to uncovering the information and insights you need to make informed arguments and recommendations. Here's how to create one:

1. Define Your Research Question: What specific political or international issue are you trying to understand? Be clear and focused on your research objective.
   • Example: "What are the key factors driving the ongoing conflict in [Region X], and what are the potential implications for regional stability and international security?"
2. Identify Key Concepts: Break down your question into its core concepts.
   • Example: "[Region X]," "conflict," "drivers," "regional stability," "international security"
3. Generate Relevant Search Terms: List synonyms, related terms, and different ways of expressing each concept.
   • Example:
     • [Region X]: "[Country A]," "[Country B]," "[Ethnic Group Y]"
     • Conflict: "war," "civil war," "insurgency," "violence"
     • Drivers: "causes," "roots," "origins," "factors"
     • Regional stability: "peace," "security," "cooperation," "instability"
     • International security: "global security," "geopolitics," "threats," "alliances"

4. Determine Information Needs: What types of information are you looking for? Academic articles? Policy reports? News articles? Historical documents? Data? This will help you decide where to search.

5. Select Your Research Tools:

• Library Search: For books, academic journals (e.g., International Organization, Foreign Affairs), and other relevant materials held by your university library.
• Think Tank Websites: For policy reports and analysis on global issues (e.g., Chatham House, Brookings Institution).
• Government Websites: For official documents, reports, and data on foreign policy and international relations.
• News Sources: For current events and analysis on global affairs (e.g., The Economist, The New York Times).

6. Construct Your Search String: Use your list of search terms, Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT), wildcards (*, ?), and phrase searching ("") to create a precise search query.
   • Example: ("[Region X]" OR "[Country A]") AND (conflict OR war) AND ("regional stability" OR "international security")

7. Refine Your Search: If you get too many results, narrow your search by adding more specific terms or using filters (e.g., date range, language). If you get too few results, broaden your search by using synonyms or removing some terms.

8. Evaluate Your Sources Critically: Always assess the credibility and relevance of the information you find. Look for sources that are authoritative, up-to-date, and represent diverse perspectives.

Tips for Politics, International Relations, and Global Affairs Students:

• Consult with Your Librarian: Your academic librarian can help you refine your search strategy and navigate the vast array of resources available.
• Consider Historical Context: Researching the historical context of a political or international issue can provide valuable insights into its root causes and potential solutions.
• Explore Diverse Perspectives: Seek out sources that represent different viewpoints and political ideologies to gain a comprehensive understanding of the issue.
• Stay Up-to-Date: Political and international landscapes are constantly evolving. Keep abreast of new developments by reading news articles, policy reports, and academic journals.

Critical Evaluation: Your Essential Skill for Academic Success in Politics, International Relations, and Global Affairs

As a student in the fields of politics, international relations, and global affairs, you'll encounter a vast array of information sources, from scholarly articles and books to news reports, government documents, and online resources. Developing a discerning eye for evaluating the credibility, reliability, and relevance of these sources is paramount to your academic success and the development of your expertise.

It's particularly important to be aware of potential biases, including the dominance of Western or Northern European perspectives and the marginalisation of voices from the Global South.

Why Critical Evaluation Matters:

• Informed Decision-Making: By critically evaluating sources, you can make informed decisions about which information to trust and incorporate into your research, arguments, and analyses.
• Academic Rigour: Critical evaluation is a cornerstone of academic research, demonstrating your ability to engage with sources thoughtfully and draw well-founded conclusions.
• Avoiding Misinformation: In today's information-saturated world, the ability to distinguish between reliable information and misinformation is crucial for understanding complex political and global issues.
• Building Credibility: By citing credible and well-evaluated sources, you enhance the credibility and persuasiveness of your own work.
• Identifying and Challenging Biases: Critically evaluating sources allows you to identify and challenge biases, including those stemming from Western-centric or Eurocentric perspectives that may sideline perspectives from the Global South. These biases can skew interpretations of global events, obscure the diversity of experiences and viewpoints, and perpetuate power imbalances in knowledge production.

Key Questions to Consider When Evaluating Sources:

Authority:

• Author/Organisation: Who is the author or organization responsible for the information? Are they recognised experts in the field, reputable institutions, or established news outlets? Research their background, credentials, geographic location, cultural background, and potential biases. Consider whether they are transparent about their positionality and potential biases.
• Publication Venue: Where was the information published? Is it a peer-reviewed academic journal, a reputable news outlet, a government website, or a personal blog? Consider the reputation and editorial standards of the publication venue.

Accuracy:

• Evidence and Sources: Is the information supported by evidence? Does the author cite their sources? Are the sources credible, verifiable, diverse, and representative of different regions and perspectives?
• Methodology (If Applicable): If the source presents research findings, is the methodology clearly explained and appropriate for the research question? Does it consider the cultural and historical context of the issue?
• Objectivity: Does the information present a balanced view of the issue, considering different perspectives and potential counterarguments? Or is it biased, one-sided, or overly opinionated?

Currency:

• Date: When was the information published? Is it up-to-date and relevant to the current political or international context? Be wary of outdated information, especially in rapidly changing fields like politics and international relations.
• Updates: Are there newer versions or updates available? Has the information been revised to reflect recent developments?

Additional Considerations:

• Relevance: Does the information directly address your research question or topic? Is it relevant to your specific area of interest within politics, international relations, or global affairs?
• Intended Audience: Who is the intended audience for this information? Is it written for scholars, policymakers, the general public, or a specific interest group? Consider how this might influence the presentation and interpretation of the information.
• Purpose: What is the purpose of the information? Is it to inform, educate, persuade, advocate, or entertain? Understanding the purpose can help you assess the potential biases and limitations of the source.

By applying these critical evaluation skills to every source you encounter, you can ensure that your research is based on reliable, accurate, and relevant information, leading to a deeper and more nuanced understanding of complex political and global issues.