1 - Getting Started ~5 mins
In this lesson you are participating in real research on the job role you chose. Your research plan set out how you would investigate it. Today you execute the first part of that plan: read at least three substantial sources and write one page of notes you can still use in six months.
If you do not have a Job Role Research Plan yet, write your chosen role from your Career Fields Shortlist at the top of today's page and list three places you will look (for example Careers Portal, a course page, a person you can message), then continue.
Useful notes are not a copy of the page. They capture the source, the facts that matter, what surprised you, and the questions still open.
2 - Key Terms ~5 mins
These three terms shape the notes you will write. Read them once, then use them as the spine of your page.
| Term | What it means for you | Real example |
|---|---|---|
| Research notes | A short written record of what you found, organised so future-you can use it without reopening every source. Your portfolio page is not a dump of quotes; it is a working tool for the personal-statement-to-job-role mapping and later ALT 2 career-progression work. | One page with three sources, key facts under each, surprises, and open questions |
| Source | The place a fact came from (site, person, course page, report, advert). Name every source so you can trust and check it later. | Careers Portal role profile; ETB course outline; chat with a relative in the role |
| Follow-up question | Something the source raised but did not settle. Good research ends with sharper questions, not a closed file. | Is night work common in this grade, or only after promotion? |
3 - How Research Notes Stay Useful ~15 mins
Before you write your own page, study Conor's notes on the role of pharmacy technician. Walk the annotations with the class. Notice what he kept, what he left out, and why each follow-up question is worth chasing.
You will write your own notes next, using the same four-part shape for every source: source, key facts, surprises, follow-ups.
Research notes: Conor on pharmacy technician
4 - Write Your Job Role Research Notes ~25 mins
Now write your own one-page research notes on the job role from your plan. Use at least three substantial sources. Where you can, have those sources already open or bookmarked from your plan so this block is note-taking, not hunting.
For each source, use Conor's four-part shape:
- Source: name it clearly (site, document, person and role)
- Key facts: short, checkable points only
- Surprise: one thing that shifted how you see the role
- Follow-up: one question the source did not settle
Save the page as Job Role Research Notes in your Strand 1.2 portfolio folder. This page feeds the personal-statement-to-job-role mapping next, and later your career progression plan and ALT 2.
Honest exit ticket: a complete one-page Job Role Research Notes is the goal. If reading runs long, the minimum to leave class with is two full four-part source blocks plus a named third source to finish the same week for homework. Three thin sources do not equal three real ones.
If a planned source is unavailable today, swap in another substantial one and note the swap at the top of the page.
5 - Think About It ~5 mins
Two minutes with the person beside you, then steal anything sharp back onto your notes page.
- Which finding surprised you enough that you would change a question on your research plan, and what is the new question?
- If you could only keep one of your three sources for an interview next week, which one would you keep, and what does that say about the other two?
Unlock the full learning experience
You're previewing this lesson. Get full access to this lesson and hundreds more — each one ready to teach, with interactive activities, printable resources and pupil progress tracking built in.
This lesson is copyright of Coding Ireland 2017 - 2025. Unauthorised use, copying or distribution is not allowed.