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Students Learn about:Research fundamentals: -the purpose of research, -the focus of research- sampling
Students Learn to: identify - what is the focus of research, sample group sizes, data collection, sources used
The Research Process
Research is the methodical investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts, build on existing findings or reach new conclusions.
The purpose of research is to advance knowledge, increase understanding, educate others and inform practice. Research primarily attempts to describe or explain things- what, when, why, how or why. It also provides the opportunity to find out new information and to increase our knowledge and understanding about a topic.
Discuss: If you want to buy a car what do you do? Link to our syllabus points in bold underline above.
NOTES: The purpose of research can vary according to the approach of the researcher, type of research conducted and the methods used. The purpose can be to advance knowledge where a researcher conducts research to gather information about a particular topic , to increase understanding if current research has already been conducted in a particular focus are, or to inform practice about future directions or intentions.
Every research study begins with a problem that the researcher would like to solve. Therefore the first step is to identify a specific area of interest . We will focus (the theme) on the impacts of technology on HSC (smartphones) students because this will be what we study in the Option at the end of the course.
To determine the focus of research is to define it and what format in which it will be written. A research focus can take the form of a research question or statement, or a hypothesis.
A question in research includes a problem, which has the intention of being solved through the research being conducted, posed as a question or a statement.
Alternatively, a hypothesis is a prediction statement that will be either proven or disproven through conducting research.
Without a suitable research question or hypothesis, you will have no focus on which to base your research proposal.
The 3 main steps in our IRP are:
Planning for research
Conducting the research
Interpreting the research
Our focus question is: What are the effects of smartphone technology on the wellbeing of HSC students?
1. Why is our focus a question (justify)
2. Rewrite our focus question as a hypothesis. Why is it now a hypothesis?
Activity 1:
Look at some IRP's from previous years on ACE HSC or Bored of studies and identify:
What was the focus of the research?
What was the sample group and size
What type of data was collected?
What sources of data was used?
Activity 2:
Explore the Australian census by heading to https://www.abs.gov.au/census. A well known National research project called the census collects data every 5 years in Australia. Use the Census link and identify:
What is the purpose of the Census?
What is the focus of the research?
What is the sample group and size?
What type of data is collected?
What sources of data are used?
How is data stored and secured?
Activity 3:
The following links are scholarly articles (publshed papers). For each, identify the purpose (why the research is being done) and the focus (are they using a question or a hypothesis)
1. Outline the purpose of research (3 marks)
2. What would an individual hope to gain from conducting research ? (3)
3. Outline why research is a valuable experience (3)
4. Describe reasons why researchers conduct research? (5)
Past HSC questions
5. “ Harry is conducting an independent research project on student participation in organised sport during the HSC year. He will need to carry out the following steps: access sources of data, collect and record data, document actions and issues.
Explain what Harry needs to do to carry out each of these steps. (6) 2021
6. Outline the criteria a researcher should use when selecting secondary sources to use in a literature review (4) 2020
7. “Outline the research process that should be used when conducting research” (4) 2019
8. Evaluate the research process kellen followed (8 marks) 2018
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