What will I write about??

Choosing an issue, gathering research

Any matter that causes people to become concerned and about which there are several points of view

An issue leads to contention and opinion

Ref: TrethowanJ., and Bechervaise, N.E., Issues, Persuasion and the Press, Thomas Nelson Australia 1993

What is an issue?

A contemporary issue is a matter that is being debated in the media, or by the government, food and/or hospitality industries or consumers.

 Consider the following:□ is the issue contemporary? i.e. is it current? are people discussing it in the media or in the industry now? □ is the issue relevant? i.e. does it have local relevance – Darwin or NT – or Australia wide. □ can you gather enough primary and secondary sources (as this will allow for

sufficient supporting evidence)? □ how strongly is the issue related to one of the Area of Studies? □ is the issue something you are extremely interested in? □ is it original? □ will the issue allow you to present a debate and thus an extended

investigation?

Deciding on an Issue

Area of Study 1:Contemporary & Future Issues      Area of Study 2: Economic and Environmental Influences      Area of Study 3:Political and Legal Influences        Area of Study 4:Sociocultural Influences      Area of Study 5:Technological Influences       

Possible issue to investigate

Sources of Information the information sources used should enable

you to examine your issue from a range of perspectives

For example, from a:◦ F&H business perspective◦ Customer perspective◦ Government perspective◦ Local community perspective e.g. Food Safety

Officer

Researching your Contemporary Issue (Dodgson et al, 2008, p. 33-52)

Is information you get directly from observations, interviews, emails and letters or surveys you have done.

Primary data should form the basis for your investigation, with secondary sources complementing your work. E.g. to compare ideas and to give evidence for your findings.

Primary data can provide you with quantitative information (to present in graphs, tables or charts) or qualitative data (through quotes).

Primary Sources

Include extracts from books, internet articles, newspapers, brochures, magazines, journals, statistical data sources (e.g. ABS), multimedia, TV and video.

Secondary information is useful to extend your knowledge about the issue, as well as enable meaningful analysis of the primary data you collected.

You should have a range of (preferably) Australian secondary sources, as this helps you to understand your issue from a range of perspectives.

Secondary Sources

◦ Relevant i.e. to your focus questions or overall research question; need to check when the information was published.

◦ Credible i.e. check author; check URL - .gov or .org better than .com.au etc; how often is the website is updated.

◦ Appropriate i.e. you have a range of perspectives, so bias is limited.

Always consider the intended audience when identifying sources.

Determine whether the source is: