VCE Extended Investigation flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Research question

A clear, focused, and answerable question that guides the investigation and specifies the key concepts or variables to be studied.

Literature review

A critical synthesis of existing research that identifies gaps, justifies the research question, and establishes the theoretical framework for the study.

Methodology

The systematic plan and justification for how data will be collected and analysed, linked to the research question and the nature of the phenomenon.

Informed consent

The ethical requirement that participants voluntarily agree to take part after being fully informed about the purpose, procedures, risks, and their right to withdraw.

Confidentiality

The ethical obligation to protect participants' identities and personal information from unauthorised access or disclosure throughout and after the investigation.

Validity

The extent to which a research instrument or method accurately measures or captures what it is intended to measure or describe.

Reliability

The consistency and stability of a research instrument or method in producing similar results across repeated administrations or under comparable conditions.

Triangulation

The use of multiple data sources, methods, or investigators to cross-check findings and strengthen the credibility of the investigation's conclusions.

Ethics approval

Formal permission from a human research ethics committee obtained before data collection, ensuring the study meets ethical standards.

Quantitative data

Numerical information that can be counted or measured, often analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics to identify patterns or relationships.

Qualitative data

Non-numerical information such as interviews or observations, typically analysed through thematic or content analysis to uncover meanings and patterns.

Mixed methods

A research approach that combines quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the research question.

Sampling

The process of selecting participants or cases from a population, with the method (e.g., random, purposive) affecting the generalisability of findings.

Variables

Factors or characteristics that can change or be measured in an investigation, such as independent, dependent, and controlled variables.

Hypothesis

A testable statement predicting a relationship between variables, often derived from theory and evaluated through data collection and analysis.

Research timeline

A planned schedule allocating time for each phase of the investigation, including literature review, ethics approval, data collection, analysis, and report writing.

Abstract

A concise summary of the investigation report covering the research question, methodology, key findings, and conclusions, typically written last.

Introduction

The opening section of the report that presents the research question, literature review, and rationale for the investigation.

Methodology section

The part of the report describing and justifying the research design, participants, instruments, procedures, and data analysis techniques used.

Results section

The section presenting the findings of the investigation objectively, using tables, graphs, and text without interpretation or discussion.

Discussion section

The section interpreting findings in relation to the literature, acknowledging limitations, and suggesting implications and future research directions.

Conclusion

The final section summarising key findings, answering the research question, and stating the significance of the investigation.

Reference list

A complete list of all sources cited in the report, formatted consistently (e.g., APA style) and providing full publication details.

In-text citation

A brief acknowledgment within the body of the report indicating the source of information, typically including author and year.

Plagiarism

The presentation of another person's ideas, words, or data as one's own without proper acknowledgment, a serious breach of academic integrity.

Oral presentation

A spoken summary of the investigation delivered to an audience, covering the research question, methodology, findings, and implications within a time limit.

Visual aids

Slides, graphs, or other visual materials used in the oral presentation to enhance clarity and audience understanding of key points.

Time management

The effective planning and allocation of time during the oral presentation to ensure all key points are covered without exceeding the limit.

Assessment criteria

The standards against which the externally-assessed task is judged, including research question, literature review, methodology, analysis, and communication.

Academic integrity

The commitment to honest and ethical conduct in research and reporting, including avoiding fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism.

Limitations

Factors such as sample size, bias, or methodological constraints that may affect the validity or generalisability of the investigation's findings.

Implications

The potential consequences or applications of the investigation's findings for theory, practice, or future research, discussed in the report and presentation.