KSUHSMUN
Research Guide

Beginning Research Tips

Determine a minimal number of key factors that are essential to an understanding of the issue. (1) Look up the topic under the "subject" heading. Look for sources which are brief, recent, and provide an overview of the topic. (2) Utilize the "see also" references on any subjects similar to the topic being researched. (3) Utilize, if practical, sources cited in the books or journals that you have found on the topic. (4) When conducting research, pay particular attention to any organizations, treaties, alliances, or agreements that may affect your nation or region.

This is important because your country's position may be rigidly defined by one of these obligations and, therefore, not open to much interpretation.

Make a written outline of what you know about each subject. (1) For each issue, make a list of arguments "for" your position. Put these in order in terms of importance and impact. Use statistics and quotes from important statesmen, and make note of good political "jargon". As time goes on, these will become the first thoughts in your mind when you address these issues. (2) Make a list of the most affected countries. Most affected countries are either: (a) Countries directly involved with the issue, or (b) Countries that have chosen to be involved with the issue. This list will help you to form alliances and to devise rebuttals towards countries which are also addressing the issue. It is important for you to know who your "friends" are.

THE 5 QUESTIONS

1. When considering the topics, what are the essential questions being raised?
 2. In your opinion as a diplomat, why are these issues important?
 3. Give specific reasons why you believe these issues remain unresolved.
 4. Are there countries that share your nation's views?
 5. What countries are opposed to your nation's views?

REMEMBER: WHEN ADDRESSING EACH OF THESE QUESTIONS, YOU MUST RESPOND TO THEM AS IF YOU WERE A REPRESENTATIVE FROM YOUR ASSIGNED NATION

UNDERSTANDING THE HISTORY, STRUCTURE, AND OPERATIONS OF THE UNITED NATIONS

Thorough preparations must begin with an understanding of the United Nations itself.

Begin with Everyone's United Nations to gain an understanding of the events leading up to the creation of the UN In addition, make sure you review:

1. The United Nations structure: how the various organs of the UN system work together and the topic specialties of each.
2. The Charter of the United Nations: the UN Charter in its entirety. Copies of the Charter can be obtained from the United Nations or from some reference books about the United Nations.
3. Past actions of the United Nations: the significant resolutions and decisions that have come from the UN and their impact. This list should include the Universal Declaration of Human rights, the Uniting for Peace Resolution, and Security Resolutions 242, 338, 435 among others.

It is the purpose of this section to channel your research techniques in preparing for this or any Model United Nations program. If followed closely, this method will maximize efficiency and minimize wasted time and effort.

There are three areas which should be considered separately in preparing for the Model United nations: 1) the assigned country's policy; 2) United Nations purpose, functions, and history; and 3) parliamentary procedure. Concentration on these areas should be weighted approximately 50%, 30%, and 20%, respectively. Mastery of parliamentary procedure takes time and practice. However, in the case of the other two areas, it is possible to be expedient and efficient. Do not waste time, going over minute details. An event or topic that is important will be referred to in research materials over and over again.

GENERAL RESEARCH

In researching a country, do not confuse history with policy. For example, knowing that Mongolian camel herders established the state of Bactrianus in 666 BC might be an interesting historical fact, but it will not help in convincing another nation to vote the way you would like them to vote. Also, policy alters continuously. If you set out to study the policy of Bactrianus from 666 BC to the present, you may get caught for time and know their policy only through 1876. At that particular point in time, this nation may have held totally dissimilar views from those which it currently endorses.

Consequently, it is usually most advantageous to use reverse chronological order when preparing your research (i.e., from the present to the past). This procedure enables you to know an important event and then trace its origins. For a very important item, you may want to research it in its proper order.

In reading materials, it is not necessary to read word by word. However, in skimming over vast quantities of written publications, it will be beneficial if you mentally formulate voluminous "why" questions, many "how" questions, and considerably fewer "rote" questions.

By reading quickly, you will retain more of those facts which are interesting and, therefore, usually more important.

RESEARCH RESOURCES

The following resources are by no means to be considered a complete list. They should, however, give you a quick start with positive results so that you will not get discouraged. This section may also give you leads to other resources and facilitate your research.

AGENCIES TO CONTA CT


For individual Country Assignments:

UNA-USA of Atlanta (United Nations Association) - Public Service oriented organization. Will furnish addresses of the permanent missions in New York and information on numerous topics of international concern. Contact them at 233 Peachtree St., NE, Atlanta, GA 30303 or by calling (404) 688-0116.

* Consular Corps of Atlanta - Only certain countries are represented in Atlanta. These, however, tend to be very helpful. (See Yellow Pages in telephone directory for addresses - listed under "Consulates and Other Foreign Government Representatives".)

 For United Nations information:
UNA-USA Publications - 485 Fifth Ave., New York NY 10017-6104. (Telephone No. 212-697-3232)

UNIPUB - Box 433, Murray Hill Station, New York, NY 100 16.

Public Information Officer (specified country) - U.S. State Department, 2201 "C" Street NW, Washington, DC 20520.

The United Nation website: http://www.un.org

LIBRARIES

Your school library and the various public libraries will provide basic materials for your research. In addition, arrangements have been made for Model UN participants to use the facilities of Kennesaw State University Library.

Books and Pamphlets

These provide background and historical perspective on nations and issues.

Encyclopedias, lexicons, handbooks, and statistical volumes should be consulted. Suggested sources are:

· Area Handbook of (name of country) - Sponsored by the U.S. Army, this series includes
 separate book-length handbooks for most nations. Detailed information covers the social,
 economic, and political aspects of the nation. Information often will need to be updated
 by other sources.
 · Statesman's Yearbook - Updated annually; provides facts and statistics on nations.
 Includes international organizations also.
 · U.S. Department of State Background Notes - These are short, two to six page pamphlets
 on almost every country in the world. Each gives a brief history, political structure,
 demographic data, key problems, and other useful leads. Most importantly, each
 pamphlet lists a concise bibliography for further study of the country (cost is 50 to 75
 cents each). available at the Federal Building, 275 Peachtree St., NE, Atlanta, GA 30303;
 usually found in library collections of U.S. Government Documents.

Periodicals and Newspapers
 · (The Economist, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Christian Science
 Monitor): Because books are usually three to five years behind the times, these
 periodicals are vital for current information. For very recent articles, it may be necessary
 to browse through the separate issues, looking particularly at the international section in
 each. Many of these sources have WWW sites, where research can be carried out with
 relatively greater efficiency.
 · Public Affairs Information Service Bulletin - Published weekly and cumulated annually.
 Often -referred to as PAIS Lists books, reports of international and national agencies, and
 periodical articles. A good source for UN and international sources.
United Nations Documents A Publications
The UN publishes a great many titles. Some of these are listed in the "U

Survival Kit bibliography in the next section of this handbook. However, the UN sources listed below provide actual records of proceedings.

The United Nations website: http://www.un.org

Many of the UN agencies have their own websites, which also carry actual
 records of proceedings, and similar information.

United Nations Department of Public Information: UN Chronicle. Provides up-to-date information on the activities and action taken by the UN Indexed by

Readers' Guide and PAIS (Previously titled: United Nations, Office of Public Information, UN Chronicle, 1975-79; UN Monthly Chronicle, 1964-75).

Issues Before the General Assembly of the United Nations. Arranged by broad topics; includes historical background on issues before each session of the
 General Assembly.

United Nations documents can be found on the shelves as well, in various forms.