The independent research project: what it actually involves
You pick one of four prescribed research subjects and one Arabic-speaking country, research it in Arabic, and answer on it in Paper 1 with no notes.
It’s the piece most students underestimate, and it’s worth saying plainly: the research question is examined inside Paper 1, Section C and is worth 20% of the whole A-Level. Nothing at GCSE prepares you for it.
You don’t invent your own topic
A widespread misconception. The four research subjects below are fixed — one per theme. What you choose is which subject, and which country to study it in. An Arabic-speaking country means one where Arabic is an official language.
| Theme | Research subject | The three aspects you must cover |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Social norms in an Arabic-speaking country الأعراف الاجتماعية في إحدى الدول العربية | where they come from · why they matter to Arab society · how modern life has changed them |
| 2 | Celebrations and occasions الاحتفالات والمناسبات في إحدى الدول العربية | which traditional ones survive · how they’ve modernised · tourism and festivals |
| 3 | Tourism السياحة في إحدى الدول العربية | impact on the economy · costs and benefits for local people · effect on heritage and infrastructure |
| 4 | Ethnic minorities الأقليات العرقية في إحدى الدول العربية | historical context · how integrated they are · how equal they are |
The rules that catch people out
- All three aspects of your chosen subject must be covered. Not two.
- One country only. Referring to a second wastes time and earns nothing.
- At least two authentic sources in Arabic.
- Your research cannot touch any of the literary works or films you studied for Paper 2.
- No notes in the exam. You’re recalling your research, not consulting it.
What “independent” actually means
A tutor can teach you how to research, how to build an argument, and confirm you’re covering all three aspects. A tutor cannot teach you the content of your subject or hand you your sources — that’s what independent means, and the examiner can tell the difference. The research itself has to be yours.
Read next
Research subject and country ideas that actually work →
How to write the research question in Arabic →
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