Research Methodology

The Source Hierarchy

Not all sources are equal. Position papers that cite primary sources will always outperform those relying on secondary reporting.

Tier 1: Primary Sources (Use These)

• UN Digital Library (digitallibrary.un.org) — Full text of every resolution, report, and official document.
• UN Voting Records — How your country voted on relevant resolutions.
• General Debate Statements (gadebate.un.org) — Annual speeches by heads of state at the General Assembly. These are goldmines for your country's stated priorities.
• Treaty Body Reports — UPR submissions, CEDAW reports, CRC reviews — your country's own official submissions.
• Government Websites — Official foreign ministry statements and policy documents.

Tier 2: Expert Analysis (Use to Supplement)

• UN Agency Reports — WHO, UNHCR, UNDP technical reports with data and analysis.
• Think Tank Research — Brookings, Chatham House, SIPRI, CFR — credible analysis with cited data.
• Academic Journals — Peer-reviewed research for complex topics.

Tier 3: Context Only (Don't Cite)

• News articles (useful for understanding, not for citing in papers)
• Wikipedia (starting point, never endpoint)
• Other delegates' position papers from past conferences

Research Time Budget

For a typical position paper (2 topics), allocate 4-6 hours of research per topic. Spend 60% on Tier 1 sources, 30% on Tier 2, and 10% on Tier 3 for background only.

Going Deeper

Mastery of this topic comes from sustained practice in committee, debate room, and study circle, not from any single lesson. The most successful MUN delegates, debate competitors, and political-research practitioners treat each new concept as a building block for the next conference, tournament, or written brief.

Connecting to Practice

When you encounter this concept in committee, ask yourself three questions:

1. How does this apply to my current position? A delegate representing Brazil on UNSC reform applies political-economic concepts differently than one representing the United States. A debate competitor preparing the affirmative case on a particular topic applies analytical frameworks differently than one preparing the negative.
2. What evidence supports my application? Mastery requires moving beyond abstract concept to specific cited evidence. Build the habit of finding 2-3 primary sources that ground your application of any concept.
3. What counter-arguments would the strongest opposition raise? Anticipating opposition is the single highest-leverage skill in competitive activities. The best delegates and debaters prepare for the strongest version of opposing arguments, not the weakest.

Building Your Resource Library

Develop a personal library of go-to sources for the concepts and issues that matter most for your work. For most MUN and debate competitors, the core library includes:

• Primary documents: UN resolutions, treaty texts, government statements relevant to your committee or topic.
• Quality secondary sources: think-tank reports (CFR, Brookings, CSIS, Chatham House), peer-reviewed journal articles, recognized news outlets.
• Historical context: foundational books and articles on your topic area.
• Recent developments: news in the last 90 days that affects your position.

Why Sustained Practice Matters

The difference between bronze-level and gold-level performance in MUN and debate is not raw intelligence — it is hours of structured practice. Recognized champions typically practice 5-10 hours per week between competitions, not the night before. Build sustainable practice habits, and your performance will improve cumulatively across seasons.