The paper brings together all steps undertaken. It sets out from a concise introduction that provides context and motivation of a clearly formulated, relevant and feasible (set of) research question(s). In building the literature study, students show their capacity to find sources that are relevant for tackling the research question, show how they gather insights in available literature that are useful to increase their understanding of a current issue; and illustrate their capacity to present, evaluate and link information from academic and other sources of information. In searching for and reading relevant sources, different perspectives on the subtopic and research question have been gathered and are presented in the paper. Points of attention in the literature study are, amongst other things, •possibly returning concepts and theories that are used in the investigated literature and sources; •whether the literature and sources are confirming a certain line of analysis and evaluation, or if there is disagreement among authors; •in case of an agreement among authors, what are then the main lines of the argument regarding the research question; •in case of disagreements, on which elements, concepts or evaluations is there disagreement and what are the arguments raised by authors. Looking for differences in focus, perspective, theoretical approach and/or methods used, usually elevates the understanding regarding the topic under scrutiny: “A clash of doctrines is not a disaster – it is an opportunity” (Whitehead, 1953, p. 186). The discussion of relevant information and insights is furthermore presented in a logical and academically rigorous narrative.
The research question that guide the paper is Do Belgian citizens, identity themselves more strongly with the national or the regional level?
