Today you will
- see what Module 4 is about
- pick an investigation topic linked to your Something Real project or another LCA course
- write an Investigation Proposal with your topic, your question and who it is for
The picture shows the cycle you will follow.
Warm-up
Think of one claim you saw online recently. Would you trust it in your Work Experience report, or would you want better proof first?
- Digital literacy means judging sources, spotting bias, protecting your privacy and presenting findings honestly.
- An investigation topic is a focused subject linked to your Something Real project or another LCA course.
- An investigation question is one clear question your research will answer.
- The intended audience is the real people who will use your findings.
Question: What do Irish online sellers charge for popular phone cases, and what do reviews say about durability?
Audience: Me, to set a fair price for my phone case side hustle.
Find two possible questions
- Listen as your teacher maps out what Module 4 covers.
- Think of two questions linked to your Something Real project or another LCA course.
- If a question is too big, like "social media", add a place, a product, an audience or a time.
- If it is a yes or no question, change it to ask who, what, where or how much.
- Fill in the card below on paper or in a draft note.
Example: What do local cafés near my school charge for a takeaway coffee lunch deal this term?
Idea 1
Question: …
Who needs this answer? …
Link to Something Real or other LCA course: …
Idea 2
Question: …
Who needs this answer? …
Link to Something Real or other LCA course: …
Success criteria
- I have two questions.
- Each one links to my project or an LCA course.
- Each one says who needs the answer.
- I am ready to share one with the class.
Common issues
- My topic is too big. Add a place, a product, an audience or a time.
- I can't see a link to my project. Ask what decision the research would help you make, like a price or a supplier.
- I don't know my audience. Name a real reader, like a supervisor or a club committee. "Everyone online" is not an audience.
Portfolio build
- In {{code:09_specialism/sm4}}, make a document called {{code:sm4_investigation_proposal}}.
- Copy the headings from the box below into it.
- Fill in each heading with your own project details.
- If your question is too wide, add a place, product, audience or time.
- Show your teacher and get it approved before you leave.
Working title:
Something Real / course link:
Investigation question:
Intended audience:
Why the findings would help them (2 sentences):
Sentence starters
Working title: … for …
Something Real / course link: This helps my … because …
Investigation question: What / How / How much … ?
Intended audience: I am writing this for …
Why the findings would help them: They could use these findings to decide … / Without current figures, I risk …
- {{code:sm4_investigation_proposal}} is saved in {{code:09_specialism/sm4}}.
- It has one clear question, not a vague theme.
- It says how it links to my project or another LCA course.
- It names a real audience and says in two sentences how the findings help them.
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