Year 10 Introduction to the Research Project

December 2013

How it fits in the SACE The Research Project is a compulsory subject of the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE). Students must complete the 10-credit Research Project at Stage 2 of the SACE with a C- grade or better. At Adelaide High School the Research Project is undertaken in Year 11. It is a normal subject, with normal deadlines and school / SACE requirements and expectations.

Students:

• choose a topic based on an area of interest

• learn and apply research processes and knowledge and skills specific to their research topic

• record their research and evaluate what they have learnt.

The term ‘research’ is used broadly and may include practical or technical investigations, formal research, or exploratory inquiries.

Your research project can cover one of the following areas

• work-related research, such as learning how to restore a car, be a swimming instructor, what it takes to become a doctor

• subject-related research such as an itinerary for a Study Tour, comparing one culture to another

• community-based research such as Shoebox of Love, organising the Year 12 jumpers

• technical or practical research such as making a surfboard, making a formal dress, writing a cookbook

Learning requirements

Students are expected to:

1. generate ideas to plan and develop a research project

2. consider the relevance of a chosen capability (there are 7

capabilities) to their research

3. analyse information and explore ideas to develop their

research

4. develop and apply specific knowledge and skills

5. produce a research outcome

6. evaluate their research.

• Planning skills – not only for school but for life

• Independence – you control what you do / how you do it /

with what resources / when you do it (within course

guidelines)

• Motivation

• Time management – and using class time wisely

• Organisation

• Research skills

• Acting on advice

school based70%

external30%

Research Project Assessment

Record of Research (30%) Proposal Outline of what you are going to do and how you are going to do it Discussion A conversation with teachers regarding your progress. (Folio is also presented for teacher to verify progress of research.) Folio (all of your research) Planning, timelines, bibliography, NOTES, annotations, drafts evidence of capability(s) addressed etc Findings (40%) Presentation and Explanation Final product and explanation. Explanation either written or oral. (2000 words or 12 minutes)

70%

Evaluation

Summary (150 words)

Evaluation (1500 words maximum)

Provide final evaluation of research processes used and the quality of the outcome

Marked at school and by the SACE Board. Equivalent to the

exam in any other Year 12 subject.

30%

You are assessed against Performance Standards against the following criteria

Planning

The specific features are as follows:

P1 Consideration and refinement of a research question.

P2 Planning of research processes appropriate to the research question.

Development

The specific features are as follows:

D1 Development of the research.

D2 Analysis of information and exploration of ideas to develop the research.

D3 Development of knowledge and skills specific to the research question.

D4 Understanding and development of one or more capabilities.

Synthesis

The specific features are as follows:

S1 Synthesis of knowledge, skills, and ideas to produce a resolution to the research question.

S2 Substantiation of key findings relevant to the research outcome.

S3 Expression of ideas.

Evaluation

The specific features are as follows:

E1 Evaluation of the research processes used, specific to the research question.

E2 Evaluation of decisions made in response to challenges and/or opportunities.

E3 Evaluation of the quality of the research outcome.

Wide variety of sources

Primary and Secondary resources

4-5 sub-questions

Depth

Allows for critical / creative / higher-order thinking skills

Outcome shows demonstration / synthesis (understanding) of skills / information from a variety of sources

Restrictive (how to become a radiographer) or too broad (dogs)

Not a variety of resources

Minimal sub-questions

Lack of depth

Rely on secondary research

Doesn’t allow you to develop knowledge or skills

Outcome leads to a ‘recall’ only response

If you already know the answer – don’t do it!

Need to have at least ONE primary source !

• How can I reduce stress in my life?

• How does algae help reduce greenhouse gases?

• What is involved in making a horror movie?

• How can I organise and distribute the Year 12 jackets?

• Create a video explaining netball skills and drills for beginners.

• Evaluation of X Study Tour and plan an itinerary for the X Study Tour.

• What is involved in making or designing a ...

• Create a brochure of advice to assist those students involved in the School Musical.

• Should Australia become a republic?

• What is involved in making a 3D commercial?

• Is there are relationship between love, lust and romance?

• How the heart ‘tick of approval’ influences consumers?

• DVD of a written / performed song

• Documentary – Tolkien / Street Art / 3D Commercial / Algae

• Film Clip demonstrating video production skills

• PowerPoint Presentation – Comics / 3D Commercial

• Books – Cookbook / Pixel Art / Cycling Training Program

• Workshop - Dance

• Guide for AHS students – Year 12 Jumpers / Musical

• A Horror Movie

• Scrapbook on the process of designing a dress, camping

expedition

• Websites – Mining / Healthy Eating

• Folder needs to be clearly labelled and looked after. Don’t lose it!

• Back EVERYTHING up. DON’T rely on USBs or laptops.

• Its not about how many downloads / brochures are in it – its about your notes / research and how the information is used.

• You need to take notes and annotate work, not just highlight downloads. You also need to summarise the notes per subquestion.

• Planning your research is important so you know exactly what you are looking for.

• Creating a timeline and sticking to it is important.

• You need to plan to use a variety of resources not just Google and the internet: you need to be able to say what type of books / magazines / websites / interviews, why you will use them and what

• You need to analyse your sources for credibility / reliability etc

• Must create a properly formatted bibliography.

1. This is NOT an overnight / over the weekend project! It is a Year

12 subject so treat it as one.

2. Choose a topic you will enjoy doing.

3. Make a timeline and stick to it!

4. Use class time wisely.

5. If your topic requires you to work more productively away from

school you can do that.

6. This is a normal subject: treat it as such. It has the same

expectations regarding timelines as all other SACE subjects,

ie NO EXTENSIONS. You don’t finish within the semester you will

be expected to finish it in your school holidays.

7. Make sure you get your work checked: build this into your

timeline.

• Folder – ring folder NOT a display folder

• Dividers

• Lots of plastic pockets

• USB

Proposal, Task 4 Explanation and Evaluation must be lodged electronically and through Turnitin.

• Consider what your interests are.

• Think about a topic and that you will need to access at least ONE primary source!!!

• Consider the depth of research you can undertake with the topic

• During this 3 day program you will be going through a process which will introduce you to the Research Project. You will:

• Compile a Mind Map of your topic to think about the different areas you could research

• Do some preliminary research to come up with some possible resources and to ensure there is ample research available

• Begin planning your research which will assist you in developing a timeline next year.