INVENTING A QUALITY OF LIFE MEASUREMENT
Think about the way most countries measure the quality of life. Some countries determine the market value of all final goods and services and divide it by the population. In other words, most countries use the GDP per capita. Several disadvantages occur when using the GDP per capita. For that reason, some people have tried to think of other ways to measure the quality of life that address these limitations and even include other factors. For this project, invent a measure of well-being that differs from the GDP per capita. OBJECTIVES Define quality of life. Select the factors that describe quality of life. Invent a new measurement for well-being. Materials For this project, you will need: Computer and/or paper and pencil Project Based on your understanding of the components of GDP per capita and the alternative measurements that include other factors used to describe the quality of life, determine what quality of life means and how to measure it. Remember, the measure of well-being should be different from the GDP per capita. As you complete each step of this assignment, save your work on your own computer, as you will turn in all of your answers together for the final project. 1. Jot down three to four sentences to define quality of life, and note one example that supports your definition. Your definition should reflect your personal belief about what quality of life means to you. This will help you develop your personal statement for the project. 2. Research alternative measurements of quality of life. Gather more information about how a country’s quality of life can be measured. Consider how sources affect your personal views. When researching, be sure to follow these guidelines, to ensure your sources are reputable: The source clearly identifies who the author is. The source’s author has expertise in the field in which the person is writing. For instance, if you are reading a source on an environmental issue, you would want the author to be someone who has research experience with the topic. The source is academic, meaning it is published by a respected site or source in the field of study, such as an official government Web sites, a university, academic journals, or reputable news sources. The source does not state opinions as facts. The source clearly cites where its information came from. The source is current and does not include dated information. Be sure to use at least two sources to support your views. You will need to cite them later, so copy down their information. 3. Once you have completed your research, list three alternative factors you would use to measure quality of life. After each, explain why this factor is important using the information, you have found from an outside source. For example, suppose you choose education as a factor. Then, your sentence could be about measuring the number of people who finished high school. Cite your sources for each factor. It is OK if your opinions have changed after completing your research. 4. Now that your opinion is researched, you will discuss your ideas with your peers. Remember the following differences between discussions and debates. Discussion is collaborative: Multiple sides work toward shared understanding. Debate is oppositional: Two opposing sides try to prove each other wrong. In discussion, one listens to understand, to make meaning, and to find common ground. In debate, one listens to find flaws, to spot differences, and to counter arguments. Discussion enlarges and, possibly, changes a participant’s point of view. Debate affirms a participant’s point of view. Discussion reveals assumptions for examination and re-evaluation. Debate defends assumptions as truth. Discussion creates an open-minded attitude, an openness to being wrong and an openness to change. Debate creates a close-minded attitude, a determination to be right. In discussion, one submits one’s best thinking, expecting that other people’s reflections will help improve it rather than threaten it. In debate, one submits one’s best thinking and defends it against challenge to show that it is right. 5. After you have discussed your ideas with your peers take a minute to reconsider your own opinions. Ask yourself the following questions. Did your opinion change? What factors, such as more reputable sources or convincing discussions, caused your shift in opinion? In the space below: Add your original definition of quality of life from step 1. Add your list of factors to determine quality of life and your sources from step 3. Reflect on your peer discussion and answer the following questions in complete, complex sentences. Did your opinions change? Did your peers’ opinions and sources change your mind about some or all of your factors? Explain why. If your opinion changed, identify what changed and why. If it did not, explain why. What would you like to do next?
