The number of references needed for an IB Global Politics HL presentation depends heavily on the scope and complexity of your chosen topic and the specific requirements outlined by your teacher. There's no magic number. However, a strong presentation will demonstrate thorough research, and that usually translates to a substantial number of high-quality sources.
Here's a more helpful way to think about it:
Instead of focusing on a specific number, concentrate on these factors:
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Depth of Analysis: A presentation that offers superficial analysis will need fewer references than one that delves deeply into the nuances of a complex issue. The more in-depth your analysis, the more evidence you'll need to support your claims.
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Complexity of Topic: A broad topic like "the impact of globalization" requires more sources than a narrowly focused topic like "the role of the WTO in resolving trade disputes between X and Y countries."
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Teacher's Expectations: Your teacher's rubric or assignment guidelines should provide clarity on the expected level of research and the required number or types of sources. Always refer to this document first.
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Type of Sources: A mix of sources is generally preferred. This could include academic journals, reputable news articles, government reports, international organization documents, books, and credible think tank publications. Relying solely on websites or blogs of questionable authority will weaken your presentation.
General Guidelines (Consider these as a minimum):
While a precise number isn't possible, aim for a minimum of 5-7 high-quality sources for a reasonably complex presentation. For a more extensive and ambitious project, you might need 10 or more. It's better to have too many than too few, especially if your teacher encourages additional research.
Focus on Quality over Quantity: It's far more important to use a smaller number of credible and relevant sources than a large number of weak or irrelevant ones. A well-cited presentation with 6-8 strong sources is far superior to one with 20 poorly chosen sources.
In short: Consult your teacher's guidelines. Then, prioritize thorough research and the quality of your sources to support a strong argument. The number of references will naturally follow.
