How does research like this support a career in journalism and how has
this project helped you with that?
My EPQ has developed my investigative skills, critical thinking, and ability to
present complex issues clearly – something which is essential for journalism. It
has also strengthened my research and writing confidence, preparing me for
real-world reporting.
How did you prevent overusing the same source as this was one of the
struggles with your EPQ?
I looked into a wide range of academic articles, reports, and news outlets and
investigated the bibliography provided within the sources that I had repetitively
used, this allowed me to find similar examples which backed up my argument
and helped to ensure a balanced and diverse range of perspectives.
If you could do this again, what would you change about the process?
If I could do this again, I would start my research earlier and set clearer and
more realistic deadlines to manage my time more effectively, allowing room for
more redrafting and deeper analysis.
If you had more time or fewer constrains, how would you have further
developed the personal, human aspect of your project?
If I had more time or fewer constrains, I would have included interviews or
personal testimonies from individuals affected by my topic to provide a deeper,
more human insight and to make my research more emotionally impactful and
relatable.
Do you think that not being able to conduct primary research held back
your EPQ essay?
Yes, not being able to conduct primary research did limit the depth of personal
insight in my EPQ. I had to rely solely on secondary sources which limited
including original perspectives which would have added a richer, more authentic
dimension to my analysis.
Did you look into the male aspect of the situation in Afghanistan?
Yes, I did briefly explore the male aspect to understand the wider impacts of the
Taliban’s regime upon men, particularly in terms of forced recruitment and
ideological control, but my main focus did remain on the experiences of women
due to my projects specific focus.
How did you navigate a lot of opinion based evidence?
I navigated opinion-based evidence by cross-checking it with factual data from
other reputable sources, clearly distinguishing between opinion and fact in my
writing, and prioritising evidence which was supported by multiple credible
references to ensure balance and reliability.
What were your key take aways from this project?