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Surveying a text

Watch the video to find out more about how to 'survey a text' in order to filter information relevant to an essay question.

Let’s survey a policy research brief ‘Privatising Basic Utilities in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Millennium Development Goal Impact’ from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). You can download the whole text on the UNDP website.

Think about the essay question again.

“Evaluate the success or failure of the World Bank’s approach to promoting water privatisation in the global south”

  • What parts of the texts are particularly useful?

  • Is there any book or article on the list of references which you think would also be relevant for the essay?

Share your ideas in the comment area below.

© Bayliss, K. and McKinley, T. (2007), ‘Privatising Basic Utilities in Sub-Saharan Africa: The MDG Impact’, International Poverty Centre Policy Research Brief no. 3, United Nations Development Programme. Extracts reviewed and reproduced for educational purposes in accordance with UNDP Terms of Use.
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