Planning the Investigation - 12.2.2 | Unit 12: Internal Assessment (IA) Guidance and Practice | IB Board Grade 12 – Individuals and Societies
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Interactive Audio Lesson

Listen to a student-teacher conversation explaining the topic in a relatable way.

Preliminary Reading

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Teacher
Teacher

Let’s start with preliminary reading. Why do you think gathering background information is important before you dive into your research?

Student 1
Student 1

It helps us understand the topic better and adds context to our research.

Student 2
Student 2

Right, without understanding the background, we might miss key issues.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Remember, preliminary reading helps to focus your research question. A good way to remember this is the acronym 'BEFORE': Background Explains Findings Of Research Exploration.

Student 3
Student 3

That's a useful mnemonic!

Teacher
Teacher

Now, what sources do you think are good for preliminary reading?

Student 4
Student 4

Books and academic articles seem like good places to start.

Teacher
Teacher

Great point! Always ensure your sources are credible, too. To recap, preliminary reading is vital for a strong foundation in your investigation.

Formulating Hypotheses or Objectives

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Teacher
Teacher

Next, let's talk about formulating hypotheses. What does it mean to have a clear hypothesis?

Student 1
Student 1

It means we have a specific statement about what we expect to find.

Student 2
Student 2

And it helps guide our investigation process.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! A well-formulated hypothesis is essential. A good mnemonic to remember the characteristics is 'SMART': Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Can anyone give me an example of a hypothesis?

Student 3
Student 3

How about, 'Increased tourism will lead to higher prices for local products'?

Teacher
Teacher

Good one! Let’s summarize: Clear hypotheses clarify your objectives and guide your research effectively.

Identifying Sources and Methods

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Teacher
Teacher

Now that we have our hypotheses, let's discuss how to identify our sources and methods for data collection. Why is this step important?

Student 4
Student 4

It ensures that we gather relevant and accurate data.

Student 1
Student 1

And it defines whether we will use primary or secondary data.

Teacher
Teacher

Great insights! Remember the acronym 'PRIMARY': Planning Resources In Methodology And Research Yield. What types of primary data can we collect?

Student 2
Student 2

Surveys and interviews!

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! And secondary data comes from established sources like academic articles and reports. In summary, choosing appropriate sources and methods is crucial to ensure reliable research outcomes.

Creating a Timeline and Resources

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Teacher
Teacher

Finally, let's move on to planning our timeline and resources. Why do you think having a timeline matters?

Student 3
Student 3

It keeps us organized and on track.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! A timeline can help you set clear deadlines for each phase of your investigation. Remember, the acronym 'TIMER': Time Is Measured Effectively and Responsibly. What elements should we include in our timeline?

Student 4
Student 4

We need to include deadlines for data collection and analysis!

Student 2
Student 2

Also time for reviewing and writing the report.

Teacher
Teacher

Perfect! A well-thought-out timeline and allocation of resources help ensure the success of your investigation. Let's recap: Planning and organization are key components of successfully executing your IA.

Introduction & Overview

Read a summary of the section's main ideas. Choose from Basic, Medium, or Detailed.

Quick Overview

This section outlines the essential steps for planning an investigation, emphasizing the importance of formulating a clear research question and organizing the methodology.

Standard

In this section, students learn how to effectively plan an Internal Assessment by choosing a relevant research question, conducting preliminary reading, formulating hypotheses, and determining data collection methods. The section emphasizes the need for a structured approach and setting a timeline for the investigation.

Detailed

Planning the Investigation

Planning an investigation is crucial for the success of your Internal Assessment (IA). This section explains the steps necessary for effective planning:

  1. Preliminary Reading: This step involves gathering background information about your chosen topic to ensure you have a solid foundation for your research. It sets the stage for a deeper understanding of the issues at hand.
  2. Formulate Hypotheses or Objectives: Clearly articulate what you aim to discover through your investigation. Having specific objectives helps focus your research efforts.
  3. Identify Sources and Methods: Decide on the data collection methods you will use, whether they involve primary data collection (like surveys, interviews, or field observations) or secondary data analysis (from books or academic journals).
  4. Timeline and Resources: Develop a detailed schedule that outlines when you will collect data, analyze findings, and write your report. This ensures you are organized and can meet deadlines effectively.

By following these steps, students set themselves up for a well-structured and coherent investigation that aligns with the requirements of the Internal Assessment.

Audio Book

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Preliminary Reading

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  1. Preliminary Reading: Understand background information on your topic.

Detailed Explanation

Preliminary reading is the process of gathering general information about your chosen research topic. This involves looking at books, articles, and credible online sources to get a good grasp of the subject. By doing this, you can identify key themes, concepts, and gaps in existing literature that your investigation can address.

Examples & Analogies

Think of this step like preparing for a road trip. Before you start driving, you want to study the map, understand the route you'll take, and identify any interesting stops along the way. This foundational knowledge will help you navigate your research more effectively.

Formulate Hypotheses or Objectives

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  1. Formulate Hypotheses or Objectives: What do you aim to find out?

Detailed Explanation

Formulating hypotheses or objectives involves stating clearly what you intend to investigate. Hypotheses are specific predictions that can be tested through your research, while objectives outline the goals of your study. This clarity helps focus your investigation and guides your methodology.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine you are trying to bake a cake. Your hypothesis might be, 'If I use a higher temperature, the cake will rise faster.' Your objective could simply be to determine the best baking temperature. Both help direct your approach to baking, much like your research objectives guide your investigation.

Identify Sources and Methods

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  1. Identify Sources and Methods: Decide how you will gather and analyze data.

Detailed Explanation

This step involves deciding where you will get your information from, and how you will analyze it once collected. Sources can include books, articles, interviews, and surveys. Methods refer to the techniques you will use to collect and evaluate data, such as qualitative analyses or statistical methods.

Examples & Analogies

Consider this like a chef planning a new recipe. They must decide on which ingredients (sources) to use and how they will cook (methods) those ingredients to create a dish. Just as a well-planned recipe leads to a delicious meal, carefully chosen methods and sources will enhance the quality of your investigation.

Timeline and Resources

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  1. Timeline and Resources: Create a schedule for data collection, analysis, and writing.

Detailed Explanation

Creating a timeline helps you manage your time effectively during your investigation. You should outline how long each phase of your project will take—this includes the data collection, analysis, and the writing phase. Additionally, consider the resources you will need, such as tools, software, or access to libraries.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine planning a big event, like a wedding. You need to create a timeline to ensure all tasks are completed on time—from booking the venue to sending invitations. Similarly, a timeline in your research helps keep everything organized and on track, preventing last-minute complications.

Definitions & Key Concepts

Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.

Key Concepts

  • Preliminary Reading: The first step in research that offers foundational background knowledge.

  • Hypothesis: A clearly defined statement predicting the outcomes of the research.

  • Data Collection Methods: Approaches used to gather information, categorized into primary and secondary data.

  • Timeline: A detailed schedule that helps organize the research process.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.

Examples

  • A student researching the impact of pollution could formulate the research question: 'How has air pollution in New York City changed over the last 10 years?'

  • For their investigation, a student might decide to create surveys for locals while also reviewing city pollution reports as secondary data.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • When you read before you start, gathering knowledge is smart!

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine a farmer planning his crop. He reads about the best seeds, decides if he wants to grow tomatoes or carrots, and finally schedules when he'll plant. This process mirrors how you should plan your research!

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • To remember the steps of planning, think of 'P-HS-I-T': Preliminary reading, Hypotheses, Sources, Identification, and Timeline.

🎯 Super Acronyms

'PLAN' - Planning, Literature reading, Analyzing, and Noting down methods!

Flash Cards

Review key concepts with flashcards.

Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: Research Question (RQ)

    Definition:

    A clear, focused question that guides the investigation.

  • Term: Preliminary Reading

    Definition:

    Initial reading to gather background information on a topic.

  • Term: Hypothesis

    Definition:

    A statement predicting the outcome of the research.

  • Term: Primary Data

    Definition:

    Data collected firsthand by the researcher.

  • Term: Secondary Data

    Definition:

    Pre-existing data collected by someone else.

  • Term: Timeline

    Definition:

    A schedule outlining the time frame for completing various stages of research.