VCE Extended Investigation key terms

A focused, answerable question that states exactly what an investigation will find out, guiding the choice of methods, data and analysis.

A narrower question that breaks the main research question into manageable parts, each addressed by particular data or analysis within the investigation.

A testable, evidence-based prediction about the relationship between variables, stated before data collection so results can confirm or challenge it.

The boundaries of an investigation, including what will and will not be examined, the population studied, timeframe and practical limits on data collection.

A critical summary of existing published work on a topic, used to identify gaps, define key concepts and justify the direction of a new investigation.

The set of ideas, theories and definitions that shapes how a researcher understands the topic and interprets the evidence gathered.

The overall plan and justification for how an investigation is conducted, including the approach, methods, sampling and analysis chosen and why.

The structured arrangement of an investigation, specifying what data will be collected, from whom, when and how it will be analysed to answer the question.

A specific technique used to collect or analyse data, such as a survey, interview, experiment or document analysis.

Information collected first-hand by the investigator for the specific purpose of the current study, such as responses to their own survey or interview.

Information gathered by someone else for another purpose, such as published statistics, reports or scholarly articles, which the investigator interprets for the study.

Evidence expressed as numbers or measurements that can be counted, compared and statistically summarised, such as scores, frequencies or percentages.

Non-numerical evidence such as interview transcripts, written responses or observations, analysed for themes, meanings and patterns rather than statistics.

Any factor that can change or take different values in an investigation, such as age, temperature or test score.

The factor the researcher deliberately changes or selects in order to observe its effect on another factor.

The factor that is measured or observed in an investigation, expected to respond to changes in the independent variable.

A precise statement of how a concept will be measured in the study, such as defining engagement by the number of minutes spent on a task.

The process of selecting participants or items from a larger population so that findings can reasonably represent that population.

The extent to which a sample reflects the key characteristics of the wider population, allowing findings to be generalised with confidence.

The number of participants or data items included in a study, which affects the reliability and strength of conclusions drawn.

The tool used to gather evidence, such as a questionnaire, interview schedule, observation checklist or test, designed to produce relevant and consistent data.

A small trial run of the methods before the main investigation, used to identify confusing questions, practical problems and needed adjustments.

The degree to which a method or instrument actually measures what it claims to measure, producing evidence relevant to the research question.

The consistency of a method or measure, meaning repeated use under similar conditions would produce similar results.

A systematic distortion in data or interpretation that pushes findings in a particular direction, arising from sampling, questioning, observer influence or the researcher's expectations.

Formal permission from a review body confirming that a proposed investigation meets ethical standards for consent, safety, confidentiality and treatment of participants.

Agreement to take part given voluntarily by participants who understand the purpose, procedures, risks and their right to withdraw at any time.

The practice of protecting participants' identities and personal information, often through anonymising data and secure storage, so no individual can be identified in reporting.

The organised process of examining collected evidence to identify patterns, relationships and meanings that help answer the research question.

A qualitative technique in which the researcher codes textual data and groups codes into recurring themes that explain patterns in the evidence.

Using more than one method, data source or researcher to examine the same question, strengthening confidence in the findings by checking consistency.

The claim that findings from a sample or setting apply more broadly, which is only justified when the sample is representative and conditions are comparable.

A constraint or weakness in an investigation's design, sample or methods that may affect findings and should be acknowledged and explained.

The externally assessed written account of the investigation, presenting the question, methodology, findings, analysis and conclusions in a structured academic format.

The externally assessed spoken explanation of the investigation in which the student summarises the question, methods, findings and conclusions and responds to questions.

Acknowledging the source of an idea, quotation or data using a consistent referencing style, allowing readers to locate and verify the original material.

A complete, consistently formatted list of all sources cited in a report, appearing at the end so readers can trace the evidence used.

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

A graph, table, diagram or slide used during a presentation to make data and key points clearer and easier for the audience to follow.