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Identifying Sources and Completing Research
Identifying Sources and Completing Research
Now you have a range of questions it's time to go and find some answers. Research is the process of gathering background information and ideas through targeted investigation.
Research sources
Research sources
Part of the assessment requires you to identify suitable sources of information. This isn’t just "Googling"; it’s about finding diverse sources to help establish how technology can provide a solution to your inquiry question. Here's some important considerations:
You will need to find at least three sources to help answer each of your questions.
Using credible sources for your information is critical. There are a lot of sources out there, and it can be hard to tell what’s credible and what isn’t at first glance. A credible source is up-to-date and backed up with evidence. It is written by a trustworthy author or organisation.
You must provide the Title, Author (if listed), and URL.
You cannot use Gemini or other AI as one of your sources, but you may use AI to help you identify primary sources.
Use the table in your workbook to record the sources you will use to explore your research questions.
Level 3, you have an extra task! Read the "Level 3 Research sources - extra task" below...
Completing your research
Completing your research
Now it's time to read and watch your chosen sources, looking for information that is relevant for your project.
You do not need to submit your research, only a summary (we'll do that in the next part). However, I strongly suggest you create a separate Research doc to record important information and findings. A juicy quote or two is great to include too...
You cannot use AI to summarise research sources for you!
Level 3 Research sources - extra task
Level 3 Research sources - extra task
As well as the above considerations, to reach the level of Excellence at Level 3, you need to go beyond just finding information from credible sources; you must examine your research sources in detail to confirm they are accurate and relevant, and to identify bias.
A great way to do this is by using the CRAAP Test, which provides a framework for you to critique the reliability of your findings. Watch the video below to see how to do this...
Using the CRAAP Test for your Inquiry
Using the CRAAP Test for your Inquiry
Current (Accuracy): In the tech world, information expires fast. You must check if the information is still accurate and up-to-date. For a film about privacy, a source from five years ago might be irrelevant because app features and laws change constantly.
Relevant: You need to judge the significance of the information to your specific project. Does the data actually impact your film's "end users" and "purpose," or is it just interesting trivia you should leave out?
Authority (Reliability): This helps you determine if a source is reliable. Who wrote it? Are they a cybersecurity expert or just a random social media user? This determines if the findings are high-quality enough to guide your proposal.
Accurate: You should cross-reference your findings. If multiple reliable sources say the same thing, you can be more confident in its accuracy.
Purpose (Bias): This is a major focus for Excellence. You must discuss any biases that may be present. For example, if you find an article about "the dangers of the cloud" written by a company that sells physical hard drives, you must critique how that bias might have skewed their findings.
Complete the CRAAP test for each of your chosen sources, providing an explanation for each source in your table. See the examples below...
Here's a couple of examples:
Here's a couple of examples:
Source: A "Sustainability Report" from a major fast-fashion clothing brand.
The Critique: "This source provides a lot of data on 'green' colour palettes and eco-logos. However, I must critique the reliability of these findings due to corporate bias. The brand is practicing 'greenwashing' to improve their image. This is significant to my inquiry because it helps me refine my focus to avoid 'deceptive' design trends and instead propose a brand identity based on transparency and raw, recycled aesthetics".
Source: A 2018 academic paper on "Encryption Methods in Mobile Gaming."
The Critique: "This paper is highly reliable as it is peer-reviewed, but it lacks Currency (Accuracy) because it was written before major updates to iOS and Android privacy laws. Relying on it alone would be a potential issue for my outcome's technical requirements and specifications. I will improve my inquiry by cross-referencing this with 2026 developer documentation to ensure my game's privacy mechanics are technically accurate for today’s hardware".
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