documentaction

Documentaction !!

With Research proposals now complete, the boys have hit their first milestone.

A well-Proposed Research topic would mean that the boys should now be springing into action. It is evident that this is not the case for many boys at all. The bad news is time is of the essence, the good news it this is not a problem.

If the proposal does not present a clear way forward, an effective plan of action is now a priority and must be prepared.

If the proposal does not outline a clear choice of research processes then ethical research choices must be made.

Something is non-negotiable however; everything students do, the inevitable changes, deviations, unforeseen obstacles and actions and choices made; must be documented.

A good Research Project is not about the Outcome (at best the final “thing” is 15% of the total achievement level).

A high-achieving Research Project is about justifying, developing and substantiating. If a student doesn’t have complete records of these events, made at the time they occur, then the “Process” can’t be made clear.  The evidence must be readily available; ready to be at the boys’ disposal when the pointy end of the Research Project arrives in Term 2.

So for now, it is all about Documentaction!!

RESEARCH PROJECT: DECISIONS IN AN ENVIRONMENT of UNCERTAINTY

Capabilities,  …What’s in it for me?.

These things called Capabilities are the threads that tie the Research Project together, from beginning to end.  We are hoping that our young researchers will say, …  “by researching in my chosen area , I expect I will learn more about  (my topic) and also enhance my understanding of (blank)”.  For (blank) insert either “Work”, “Personal Development”, “Citizenship” or “Communication”.  Learning is a compulsory Capability and students must choose one of these others.  So Capabilities are one plus one.   “What’s in it for me” translates to .. “What will I get out of undertaking my chosen research journey?”.

Another useful question for our young researchers is .. “Who is my Audience?.... Who will be interested in what I find when I have researched, and acquired my new Capabilities?”

Forward-looking decisions are difficult for all age-groups because there is always uncertainty when looking ahead. The next few months have many uncertainties for the boys. Good advice is to think about the end point of research, specifically the Research Outcome and its audience. Taking such an approach as this not only focuses on what the audience might learn but how the audience might best be told.  The medium of communicating the Research outcome is not fixed; it can be a report, a product, a display, a brochure, a website or multimedia.  Successful choices now could be a great way to improve decision making in an environment of uncertainty, something that is prevalent right the way through Year 12.

Chris McGuire & Research Project Team

Feb 22