Waikerie High School Library: Research Project

The Research Project is unlike any other subject you’ve studied before. It starts with you – with your interests, passions and ideas – and gives you an opportunity to explore a question of interest. By doing this, you’ll be developing skills and understanding to help prepare for life after high school.

By choosing your own Research Project question, you’ll drive your own learning. You’ll still be guided and supported by your teachers, but ultimately you’ll be responsible for the shape and content of your Research Project. You’ll decide the research question, and plan how to go about your research - such as whether you will investigate online, conduct a survey, conduct an experiment, or interview experts in the field – or a combination of these. You will then need to assess and analyse your findings, and work out the best way to communicate what you’ve learnt. Most SACE graduates go on to university or further training. If that’s your plan, this experience in self-directed learning will help prepare you for your tertiary studies. If you want to move straight into the workforce, the planning, project management, initiative and communication skills you’ll develop through the Research Project will also be valuable.

School Assessment - 40%

What is the Outcome?

The Research Outcome is the answer to your research question that is substantiated by evidence and examples from your research.

Substantiation is backing up your findings. There are two ways to approach this:

OR

2.   You need to explain how you carried out your research and give reasons for your chosen methodology.

You may display your information in any of the following ways: essay, report, article, booklet, multimedia presentation, display or exhibition, artefact / product / object / work of art, performance (live or recorded) or a combination of these.

External Assessment - 30%

The evaluation requires you to make judgments about your research: the processes you used, benefits, limitations, challenges and/or opportunities, as well as the progress you made and the actions taken. 

Cruical factors for success:

• Be specific in using examples to back up the judgments you make and ensure you are reasoned in your line of argument. 
• Don't make sweeping and generalised statements.
• Comment on the credibility, validity and reliability of your research.
• Use qualifiers to convey the level of effectiveness of each type of research and/or progress made and actions taken, e.g. 'extremely useful', 'vitally relevant'.
• If appropriate, mention how ethical processes may have affected your research.
• Ensure you are always evaluating and just recounting what you did.
• Qualify everything in regards to your research question.
• Use clear, succinct expression that carefully reflects editing.

You need to develop one or more of the subject capabilities while answering your research question.

Literacy

This capability can include exploring how language is used for differing purposes and audiences.

Numeracy

This capability can include developing skills in interpreting information in numerical form and identifying patterns and relationships.

Information and communications technology

This capability can involve investigating how contemporary technologies influence communication.

Critical and creative thinking

This capability can include developing activities that integrate reason, logic, imagination, and innovation.

Personal and social

This capability can include developing personal and social understanding and participating actively in community life.

Ethical understanding

This capability can include exploring an ethical question, or looking at ethical practices in the workplace or community.

Intercultural understanding

This capability can include exploring a cultural issue and building intercultural understanding.