A good researcher knows how to use both primary and secondary sources and how to integrate them in a cohesive fashion. Generally, primary research is preferred as it is specific to the problem at hand and collecting the data first hand provides a deeper and more coherent understanding of the issue at hand and the data collected.

RESEARCH SHOULD BE DRIVEN BY QUESTIONS

RESEARCH SHOULD BE ONGOING

RESEARCH SHOULD BE INVESTIGATIVE

RESEARCH SHOULD MOVE THE PROJECT FORWARD

PRIMARY RESEARCH

Primary research is research and data that YOU have gathered yourself that is relevant to your project.

EXAMPLES OF PRIMARY RESEARCH:

Interviews
Questionnaires
Performance tests (product/material)
Scientific tests
Product analysis

SECONDARY RESEARCH

Secondary research is information used that somebody else has collected.

EXAMPLES OF SECONDARY RESEARCH:

Online sources
Books
Magazines
TV and film
Databases

The Biomimicry Institute's BIOMIMICRY TOOLBOX provides extremely useful guidance of what to research, how to do it and also provides links to a number of very useful sources of information such as websites and databases. Use it!

Both the scientific method and the cycle of design emphasise questioning, observing, experimenting, ideating and testing. The questioning, observing, questioning and experimenting form the research section of this project.

Remember: research is an ongoing process, not just something that is completed at the start of a project.

Once you have completed a systems thinking model such as the Iceberg Thinking Model Worksheet, you should have a better understanding of what is causing and/or contributing to the problem that you are investigating.

You can then use this information to guide and frame the next steps in your research and inquiry as you should be able to identify what you need to find out and understand before proposing a solution.

RESEARCH EXAMPLE

PROBLEM: LIMITED LAND FOR AGRICULTURE

PROPOSED SOLUTION: VERTICAL FARMING SYSTEM

Note: The research example (left) is not specific to any of the problems offered to you. It uses secondary sources well but lacks real investigation, testing and data collection - something that you are encouraged to do as much of as possible.

WHERE CAN YOU RESEARCH?

Where you research depends on what you are researching and what you need to know/investigate.

You may need to:

Visit the location where the problem is taking place to collect data and investigate further
Explore the campus for inspiration
Speak to experts and /or those affected by the problem
Analyse products in the 1S2 Science lab or Ideas Hub
Investigate materials on a biological level in the Science lab

We are fortunate enough at UWCSEA to have a rich, green campus managed by an excellent facilities team, several sustainability focused service initiatives and many other parent and student led groups.

This provides access to a wealth of knowledge and information right here in campus. It also means that the campus itself could lend itself as bio-related inspiration.

Take this board (left) for example - one of many dotted around campus, full of useful information related to the flora and fauna that can be found at UWCSEA.

PLANNING BOARDS

Each team has a notice board that can be used to visually organise planning and to add and arrange research so that visual connections can be more easily made.