L2 Inquiry - Research

Use a mix of research types

Choose reliable sources

Not all sources are equal. Before you use something, do a quick check:

Quick quality check

• Who created it (person/organisation)? Are they credible?

• When was it made/updated? Is it still relevant?

• Why does it exist (inform, sell, persuade)?

• What evidence is used (data, references, examples)?

• Can you confirm it with another source?

Aim to use a mix of:

• reputable websites and organisations

• books and articles

• reports and data

• interviews/surveys/observations (primary research)

• case studies, product examples, or existing outcomes

Quick ethics reminder

If you’re collecting information from people:

• ask permission and be respectful

• keep personal information private (use anonymous responses where possible)

• store your data safely and only use it for this project

When undertaking your research think about:

• Where might I go to find out more information? There is more than just Google and AI!!!

• What key words could I use in my searches?

• What resources might I use?

• How do I know my resources are good?

• Where can I find different points of view on this? For Merit: include different perspectives that relate to the inquiry focus

• What can I do to learn more?

Purpose: Understand the people who will use, be affected by, or interact with the outcome.

A1: General Research (What’s out there?)

Write your Part A questions (aim 3–5):

• Who are the users/audience and what do they care about?

• What problems or opportunities exist for them?

• What similar outcomes already exist and how are they used?

• What works well in those outcomes (and what doesn’t)?

• What do users expect from an outcome like this?

• “What assumptions am I making about users, and how can I check these are accurate?” 

• “What assumptions am I making about users, and how can I check these are accurate?” 

For each source, record:

• Source: title/website/author, link, date accessed

• Key points: 3–5 bullet points (in your own words)

• Why it matters: 1–2 sentences linking it to your project

(Use more than 2 sources if needed — just repeat the format.)

A2: Implications (Why does it matter?)

Write implication questions (aim 2–4):

• • How could this affect users’ experiences or behaviour?

  • What could go wrong if the outcome is unclear, confusing, or not accessible?

  • Are there different groups of users who will need different things?

For each source or piece of evidence:

• key points (bullets)

• what it suggests you should include/avoid in your outcome

A3: Part A Summary (Key ideas + follow-ups)

• • The most important user needs/barriers you found

  • Any patterns you noticed across sources

  • What you still need to find out

Purpose: Investigate tools, methods, and feasibility of creating the outcome.

B1: General Research (How is it built?)

Write your Part B questions (aim 3–5):

• What tools/software/processes are used to create outcomes like this?

• What works well and what doesn’t?

• What are common methods/workflows people follow?

• What options could I choose between?

• What will I need to test, and how will I know it’s working?

• What could cause failure, and how can I reduce it?

For each source, record:

• source details + link

• key points (bullets)

• why it matters for your project

B2: Conventions (Rules of the craft)

Choose conventions that will directly affect quality in your project (e.g., file formats + naming, export settings, usability rules). You don’t need to cover everything. 

Write convention questions (aim 2–4):

• • What conventions do successful outcomes in this area follow, and why?

  • What file formats, sizes, and naming rules should I use so my work stays organised and compatible?

  • What layout/usability/accessibility rules should guide how users interact with my outcome?

  • What technical documentation or planning conventions apply (wireframes, storyboards, diagrams, flowcharts, data models)?

  • What genre/style conventions do audiences expect, and how can I follow or challenge them intentionally?

Record:

• what the convention is

• why it matters

• how you will apply it

B3: Implications (Feasibility + reliability)

Write implication questions (aim 2–4):

• • Will my outcome function reliably?

  • What limitations should I plan for (time, skill, equipment, performance)?

  • How sustainable/useful will it be in the future?

B4: Part B Summary (Key ideas + follow-ups)

• • Key technical decisions you’re leaning towards (and why)

  • The biggest constraints you must plan around

  • What you still need to test/learn

Purpose: Understand the bigger picture, responsibilities, and ethical impacts.

C1: General Research (Bigger picture)

Write your Part C questions (aim 3–5):

• What wider issues connect to my topic (social, cultural, ethical)?

• What do experts, organisations, or debates say?

• What are common concerns or risks in this area?

• How might this outcome include or exclude certain groups, and how could I improve accessibility and inclusion?

• What cultural considerations should guide decisions in this context?

For each source:

• • source details + link

  • key points (bullets)

  • why it matters

C2: Implications (Responsibilities)

Write implication questions (aim 2–4):

• • Are there legal rules to follow (copyright, licensing, attribution)?

  • What privacy issues apply (collecting/sharing information)?

  • What ethical issues could come up (fairness, bias, harm)?

  • How might sustainability or future-proofing influence choices?

C3: Part C Summary (Key ideas + follow-ups)

• • The most important responsibilities you must consider

  • What risks you need to avoid

  • What you still need to find out

If you still have gaps then do a little more research.