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

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?

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  

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

 Is information you get directly from observations, interviews, s 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).

 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.

◦ 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.