• Before you start your research, think about where you might be able find useful information for your topic. Don't just go straight to Google!

• Write down the types of sources you could use in your project and how you will try to find them in your plan.

• Record your research in your process journal throughout the project.

Make sure you:

• visit the VSA library and see if there are any books or magazines that would be useful for your project

• check the VSA eLibrary (Pressreader, Credo)

• ask me (Mr Mac) if you need an help finding anything in the Library or eLibrary

Make sure you use a variety of different sources. which of these might be useful for your topic?

Note: what is considered a primary source or secondary source might vary depending on your topic. If in doubt, check with your supervisor or Mr Mac.

You will also need to evaluate the sources you use, using a method such as OPVL.

At VSA we use MLA 9 to document all of our sources. You need to include both a works cited list and a works consulted list.

The Process Journal

• Use your process journal to record the research process..

• Record how sources have shaped your project and your thinking

• Identify the research skills you have at the beginning of the research process, and use the process journal to show how your research skills develop, with evidence.

• Document the search strategies, interview and survey techniques that you use.

• When writing your report, use extracts from the process journal in your report to provide evidence.

• If you copy anything from a website or other source into your process journal, make sure that you clearly identify what you have copied by using "quotation marks" or highlight the text you have copied in a different colour. Note the URLs too, or add the source to MyBib so that you can find it again later when creating your works cited/consulted list.

Documenting the research process in your process journal will help you to:

• organise your research

• document your sources

• avoid plagiarism

• help you to reflect on your research ATLs

You need to include a works cited list and a works consulted list in your personal project report.

The works cited list should include all the sources that you have cited with an in-text citation in your report.

The works consulted list will include all the sources that you looked at but didn't cite in your report. This might include things like YouTube tutorials that you watched but didn't refer to specifically in your report.

Note: refering to sources in your report (with in-text citations), for example to justify the criteria you have used for your product, can provide evidence of how you have used ATLs such as information literacy.

Avoiding Plagiarism

Plagiarism, whether deliberate or accidental, will lead to serious consequences.

If you copy anything from a website or other source into your process journal or notes, make sure that you clearly identify what you have copied by using "quotation marks" or highlight the text you have copied in a different colour. Note the URLs too, or add the source to MyBib so that you can find it again later when creating your works cited/consulted list. This will help you to avoid accidentally plagiarising.

Cite any images, diagrams, graphs and include captions. Follow copyright law and fair use guidelines if you are reusing images on a public website.

At VSA we use MLA 9 as our citation style. If you are using MyBib, set it to MLA 8 to make sure that the accessed date is added for online sources.

For more information on using MLA, check the VSA Library MLA Guide.

ATL Skills

When providing evidence of research ATL skills, consider using the following

• Appropriate use of In-text citations and a works cited/consulted list

• Using SIFT to evaluate sources and guide the research process

• Excerpts from your process journal that document the research process

• Evaluation of research (OPVL)

• Interview notes

• Survey results

• An annotated bibliography

• A series of inquiry questions

Information Literacy

Finding, interpreting, judging and creating information

• Collect, record and verify data

• Access information to be informed and inform others

• Make connections between various sources of information

• Understand the benefits and limitations of personal sensory learning preferences when accessing, processing and recalling information

• Use memory techniques to develop long-term memory

• Present information in a variety of formats and platforms

• Collect and analyse data to identify solutions and make informed decisions

• Process data and report results

• Evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on their appropriateness to specific tasks

• Understand and use technology systems

• Use critical-literacy skills to analyse and interpret media communications

• Understand and implement intellectual property rights

• Create references and citations, use footnotes/endnotes and construct a bibliography according to recognized conventions

• Identify primary and secondary sources

Source: MYP: From principles into practice 2014 (Updated August 2022)

Media Literacy

Interacting with media to use and create ideas and information

• Locate, organize, analyse, evaluate, synthesize and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media (including digital social media and online networks)

• Demonstrate awareness of media interpretations of events and ideas (including digital social media)

• Make informed choices about personal viewing experiences

• Understand the impact of media representations and modes of presentation

• Seek a range of perspectives from multiple and varied sources

• Communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats

• Compare, contrast and draw connections among (multi)media resources

If you need some inspiration when starting your project, come to the Library!

Browse the bookshelves, magazines, have a look at PressReader, or ask me about what new resources we have in the Library!

Requirements:

• No title page

• At least 11-point font size

• images used as evidence must be clearly visible

• Works cited and works consulted lists must be submitted separately and do not count towards the page limit

Source: Personal Project Guide (For use from September 2021/January 2022)

The Personal Project is a large, independent project that students undertake at the end of their MYP course. This is a project for you to create and present what is of personal interest to you. This is your project to do what you would like to do, and a chance to demonstrate the understanding and skills you have developed throughout the MYP. The project itself should be based on an area of interest or personal passion where you can apply and demonstrate your learning. Through the process of inquiry, action and reflection, students are encouraged to demonstrate and strengthen their ATL skills.

The aims of the Personal Project are to encourage and enable you to:

• inquire

  • explore an interest that is personally meaningful

  • take ownership of their learning by undertaking a self-directed inquiry

• act

  • transfer and apply skills in pursuit of a learning goal and the creation of a product

• reflect

  • recognize and evidence personal growth and development

The Personal Project includes the following main parts:

• A written report

• A product

• An exhibition

You are expected to spend a minimum of 25 hours on their personal project.

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