L2 Inquiry - Research

L2 Inquiry - Context

L2 Inquiry - Analysis

Ko ia kāhore nei i rapu, tē kitea

He who does not seek will not find

Research

Key question: “What reliable sources can I use, and what keywords/search terms will help me find strong evidence?”

Now you’ve got a focus and a key question, it’s time to gather evidence. At this stage you’re not deciding the final solution, you’re finding out what’s true, what’s already been tried, and what matters most for real people and real contexts.

What good research looks like (for Level 2)

Your research should include:

a range of sources (not just one website)
notes that explain what you learned (not copy/paste) - a few key bullet points is all that is needed
links/citations so you can reference your sources later
evidence that helps you make better design decisions

Research set-up: search smarter

Before you start, build a short list of keywords. Try:

topic keywords (e.g., sleep, anxiety, equestrian safety, cyberbullying, recycling, training plan)
audience keywords (e.g., teen, beginner, older adults, whānau, club members)
outcome keywords (e.g., website, app, video, animation, poster series, CAD, electronics)
problem keywords (e.g., barriers, accessibility, usability, motivation, misinformation)

Tip: Use Google Scholar for higher quality sources and studies.

*** BE OBSESSIVE! ***

Use a mix of research types

Quantitative research (numbers + patterns)

Use this when you want measurable trends.

digital surveys / polls
desk research (facts, stats, reports)
data sets / number crunching

Qualitative research (stories + reasons)

Use this when you want deeper insight.

in-person or video interviews
observations (watch people use something similar)
user testing / feedback sessions
intercept interviews (short interviews with people in the moment)

Choose reliable sources

Not all sources are equal. Before you use something, do a quick check:

Quick quality check

Who created it (person/organisation)? Are they credible?
When was it made/updated? Is it still relevant?
Why does it exist (inform, sell, persuade)?
What evidence is used (data, references, examples)?
Can you confirm it with another source?

Aim to use a mix of:

reputable websites and organisations
books and articles
reports and data
interviews/surveys/observations (primary research)
case studies, product examples, or existing outcomes

Types of Questions

Expanding Question
What kind of physical activity do you engage in with your family?

Leading Question

Do you think your family undervalues cycling?

Closed Question
Is cycling a focus for your family?

Closed & Leading Question
Do you think your family should cycle more, or do you think you do enough?

Quick ethics reminder

If you’re collecting information from people:

ask permission and be respectful
keep personal information private (use anonymous responses where possible)
store your data safely and only use it for this project

Task 1 - Start Research

Record your research properly

For every source, capture:

Source details: title, author/organisation, link, date accessed
Key points: 3–5 bullet points (your words)
Why it matters: 1–2 sentences explaining how it connects to your project
Which lens it fits: A / B / C
1. Part A - User & Human Perspective. People first: needs, motivations, barriers, preferences, accessibility.
2. Part B - Technical & Practical Perspective. How it could be made well: tools, feasibility, workflow, testing, conventions/standards.
3. Part C - Wider Implications & Perspectives. Responsibilities: ethics, bias, privacy, legal rules, sustainability, cultural considerations, future-proofing.

Task 2 - During Research

Go and research your questions. Think about:

Where might I go to find out more information? There is more than just Google and AI!!!
What key words could I use in my searches?
What resources might I use?
How do I know my resources are good?
Where can I find different points of view on this? For Merit: include different perspectives that relate to the inquiry focus
What can I do to learn more?

Task 3 - Refining & Sorting

At this stage you should have asked a range of questions and researched each. You need to sort out if there are any gaps or further questions you need to ask.

You may need to refine your Essential question to be more specific now you have more information.

Ask yourself.....

Have I answered my essential question thoroughly?
Have I looked at a variety of sources/opinions?
What am I feeling about my inquiry at this point?
What are my questions now?

Has my direction changed?
Do I need to find out more information?
How can I plan to show the connections I have made?

Task 4 - Further Research.... if needed

If you still have gaps then do a little more research.

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