IBPoliticsDPGlobal PoliticsHLRevision Notes5. Global Political Challenges (HL Only)5.1 The Self-Guided InquiryIntroduction to the Self-Guided Inquiry

Introduction to the Self-Guided Inquiry (DP IB Global Politics: HL): Revision Note

Written by: Jane Hirons

Reviewed by: Lisa Eades

Updated on 1 May 2026

What is the self-guided inquiry?

Students taking the HL course conduct extended inquiries around global political challenges, with an emphasis on:
- the interconnected nature of these challenges
- the complexities and tensions involved in addressing these challenges
- a solution-oriented focus that highlights possible courses of action

Around 80 teaching hours are assigned to the self-guided inquiry
Paper 3 tests these inquiries

Students choose political issues in which they are interested and conduct in-depth research to formulate at least 2 case studies
These case-studies must relate to at least one of the following topics
- Borders
- Security
- Environment
- Health
- Poverty
- Equality
- Technology
- Identity
Each topic is explored in detail later

More about the case study

A case study is a specific, real-world political situation that you research in depth
- For example, you might investigate the displacement of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar (connecting to Equality, Borders and Security), or the role of social media in far-right political movements in Germany (connecting to Technology and Identity)
Your two case studies must each focus on a different topic area, and together they must cover at least two of the eight areas listed above
You are not limited to a single topic area per case study
- The best case studies draw on several, because real-world political problems rarely fit neatly into one box

Using course content

Case studies must incorporate the themes, topics, concepts and ideas from the course content

Course content	Possible themes, topics, concepts and ideas	HL case study topic areas more closely related
Core Topics: Understanding Power and Politics	Power Legitimacy Sovereignty Interdependence Multiple state and non-state actors Stakeholders including marginalised and vulnerable groups Theories (e.g. Realism, Liberalism, Feminism, Marxism etc.)	The core topics relate to all 8 topic areas and should factor into all HL case studies
Rights and Justice	All the Core Topics Rights Equality Liberty Justice Contested meanings of rights and justice UN and UDHR Protection, monitoring and enforcement of rights and justice Actors and stakeholders involved in rights and justice Obstacles to rights and justice Theories (e.g. Universalism and Cultural Relativism)	All topics could include some elements of rights and justice, but the following are usually most closely linked: Health Poverty Equality Identity
Development and Sustainability	An understanding of the complexity of development Sustainability Inequality Poverty Contested meanings of development and sustainability Measuring development Pathways to development Actors and stakeholders involved in development and sustainability Obstacles to development and sustainability Theories (e.g. Galtung’s Triangle)	All topics could include some elements of development and sustainability, but the following are usually most closely linked: Environment Health Poverty Equality Technology
Peace and Conflict	Peace Conflict Violence Non-violence Contested meanings of peace and conflict Causes of conflict Justifications of violence Ending conflict Actors and stakeholders involved in peace and conflict Theories (e.g. Just War Theory)	All topics could include some elements of peace and conflict, but the following are usually most closely linked: Borders Security Equality Identity

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