Globalization and Prosperity

Research, Analysis and Evaluation Assignment

 PART A

 You will be assigned three nations to research, one of them is Canada which will give you a “baseline” to compare the other nations against. These countries will be examined in relation to the accompanying booklet. Locate and record the necessary information. Interpret this information as required as completely as possible. This interpretation is the critical part of your research.

PART B 

Extract critical information from Part A, which can be used to predict the future of each country you have researched. This information will be put into graphs, tables, charts each of which will be consecutively numbered with the word “Figure” prior to the number. (e.g. Figure 6). Give each figure a title. A blank page with the word “Appendix” will be placed in front of this data.

 PART C             

You will join several other students and construct a “Happiness Index” using statistics to rate the countries each group member has researched from the most happy to the least. You will communicate this information with a presentation to the rest of the class explaining what factors you believe are the best indicators of happiness.

PART D

                       Bibliography in MLA format using Noodlebib.

NOTE:

            All four parts will be graded.

Marks will be based on interpretation of statistics, quality of work, proper selection statistics, and manner of analysis and evaluation.

 Part A

* Consult the Marking Guide on the last of the assignment before handing in project.

Countries:        __________________     __________________     Canada

Use the following guide to find information:

A – US Census Site

B – World Bank Education Stats  

C – Population Pyramids  

D – Life expectancy  

E – CIA World Factbook  

F – Health Care Statistics  

G- BBC World-Service  

H- Freedom House  

I – Education Statistics 

Choose your country and then Gender Disaggregated Data Profiles  

J- Education Statistics

 Choose your country and then Education at a Glance

K- Economic Stats       

L- Infrastructure Stats

M- Thematic World Maps – Population Density�

Section 1 –Population

Answer the following questions for each country assigned to you. 

(Each question is 1 mark, unless otherwise indicated – total 75) 

A         1. What is the population of each country? (Source is in thousands)

M         2. What is the density of population?

A         3. What is the rate of increase of population?

E          4. What percentage of the population are aged 0-14 years?

E          5. What percentage of the population are aged over 65 years?

            6. Define dependency load, estimate the dependency load for each 
                country as a percentage of the total population. (2 marks)

D-E     7. What is the life expectancy in the country? For women? For men?

E          8. Urbanization: percentage of urban population (people living in
                 cities)?

C         9. Print out the population pyramid from your countries (2000, 2025,
                2050)

            Use colored pencils or markers to show which parts of the population are part of    the dependency load. (set the printer to print just one page if possible) (2 marks)

            10. What, if any, population problems do you perceive from
                   analyzing the population pyramid changes into the future? (3
               marks)

 

Section 2 – Education and Health

E          1. What is the literacy rate for men, women, and the country overall.

I           2. What is the primary completion rate (primary school) for girls? For
                 boys?

J           3. What is the amount spent on education as a percentage of GDP?   
                What is the percentage of government spending on education?

B         4. Progression to secondary school – percentage of females who get
               to secondary school, percentage of males.

E          5. Define Infant Mortality Rate. What is the infant mortality rate for
                 each country? (2 marks)

F          6. Health expenditures per capita (U.S. dollars)?

E          7. How many people are living with aids?

F          8. What percentage of children get immunization coverage for
                measles?

F          9. What percentage of women get at least one antenatal (prenatal)
                 visit to a doctor before giving birth?

F          10. What percentage of births are attended by skilled health
                   personnel?

            11. What basic statements can you make about education and health
                   for each country? (10 marks)

Section 3 – Economy 

E          1. What is the G.D.P. for each country?

E          2. What is the G.D.P. per capita income in U.S. dollars?

E          3. What is the unemployment rate? If there is no statistic available it
                 usually indicates your country is too poor to have social
                 assistance.

K         4. What is industry’s share of GDP, value added?

K         5. Agriculture, value added,  as a share of GDP?

E          6. How much money is owed by each country? (external debt)

E          7. Population below the poverty line.

E          8. GDP Composition by sector; how is the economy divided between
                 agriculture, industry and services.

E          9. How many internet users are there in the country?

E          10. List exports of each country. (3 marks)

For questions 10 – 11 you can go to the World Bank Site (open countries and select country brief) a recent encyclopedia, or the CIA site, or a combination of the three.

11. Give a brief overview of the history of each country. Did it receive
       independence from another country? If so, when? (5 marks)

12. Give a brief overview of the economy of each country with an analysis of
       the strengths and weaknesses in point form. (10 marks)

Section 4 – Freedom to Live and Prosper

 H         1. What is the freedom rating for each country? Free, partly free or
                 not free?

H         2. Compare the political freedom rating for each country, take note
                that a lower rating indicates more freedom.

H         3. Compare the civil rights rating for each country, take note that a
                 lower rating indicates a greater respect for basic rights by the
                government.

E          4. Who is the leader of the country? What type of government does
                 this person lead? (2 marks)

            5. Compare your countries record on human rights, which is the best
                 to live in….the worst. (3 marks)

 

Before writing question 5 consult the “methodology” section of the Freedom House web-site to better understand how the rankings are determined.

Section 5 – Current Events – Geography

G         1. Provide an article about each country that deals with an
                environmental issue, political issue, or economic issue; the article
                needs a brief summary about the story. (3 marks) 

2. A world map showing the location of your three countries, a map is
     provided. (2 marks)

 

Part B – Graphs – Tables – Charts  

Extract critical information from Part A, which can be used to predict the future of each country you have researched. This information will be put into graphs, tables, charts each of which will be consecutively numbered with the word “Figure” prior to the number. (e.g. Figure 6). Give each figure a title. A blank page with the word “Appendix” will be placed in front of this data. 

Part C – Presentation of Happiness Index 

Consult the handout on the “Happiness Index portion of this assignment. Your task is to construct an index of indicators you believe indicate happiness that will allow you to rank the countries that you and your partners have studied. You will present your findings as creatively as possible with the intent to impress your classmates that your index is the most reliable and effective. 

Part D – Bibliography 

  1. Provide a bibliography in MLA format on a separate sheet using Noodlebib. 

Additional information is available in the library on the computer or in print form from the various almanacs and periodicals in the library. If you are unable to access information it is your responsibility to seek assistance from your teacher or librarian as quickly as possible.

* use your computer time as efficiently as possible as some sites may be unavailable due to technical problems, remember you can work at home on the questions assigned from the booklets you are given

Marking Guide

Part A             75 Marks

Write out each question, or use a suitable heading, and your answer. You will be assigned a mark on each section based on your completeness, accuracy, and readability. Analysis questions must be answered in complete sentences unless otherwise indicated.

Part B             20 Marks

There are a number of comparisons that can be put into the form of graphs, tables and charts to help you interpret the information. Ten will be graded, each out of two marks on the basis of their titles, labels, completeness, accuracy and neatness. They should be critical to predicting future development. The following website is a good resource:

http://www.statcan.ca/english/edu/power/ch9/bargraph/bar.htm

Part C             40 Marks

Presentation will be graded as follows:

-          effective introduction

-          information is related in a clear and logical manner

-          presenters communicate their expertise regarding subject

-          media is appropriate and effective

-          audience is engaged

Part D             15 Marks 

Provide a bibliography in MLA format on a separate sheet using Noodlebib

Plagiarism – of course all analysis will be original work; if you are unsure what this entails you need to ask your teacher. 

 

                                                                        TOTAL ______/150