You already research things every week: a course, a kit bag, a creator you follow, a local issue. The difference between scrolling and research is a question that can be answered.
Today you pick a subject you actually care about, draft one clear research question, and write three keyword phrases you will search with. That draft starts your M2 KA1 working pack. KA1 later is a short pack of analysed websites on this question; today you only lock the question and keywords that pack will answer. KA1 is verified in a later lesson; today's brief is the working-pack starter only.
A research question is not a topic and not a yes-or-no quiz. It is specific, answerable from public sources, and open enough that more than one page could help you.
| Term | What it means for you | Real example |
|---|---|---|
| Research question | A clear question you can answer from a handful of sources; this is the line your whole KA1 pack answers | What do Irish music festivals tell under-18s about tickets, ID and supervision? |
| Keyword | A short phrase you type into search; three strong phrases beat twenty vague ones | Irish festival under-18 ticket rules |
| Scope | How wide or narrow the question is: small enough to finish in a few lessons, big enough to matter | Too wide: How do festivals keep young people safe? Right scope: What do Irish music festivals tell under-18s about tickets, ID and supervision? |
Worked example. Weak: Are phone bans in schools a good idea? (yes/no, endless). Better: How do Irish secondary schools set phone rules, and what reasons do they give? Specific place, answerable from public policies, room for more than one view.
Fill two lists: subjects you might research, and keyword phrases you would try. Aim for a few real options, not one perfect idea yet. These are working notes you will lift into your research brief later this lesson.
You will see four sample questions. Each one comes with tells: warning signs that the question is too wide, closed, or ready to search. Judge each one, then read the reasoning. Use what you notice when you write your own question next. This is judgement practice only; your Portfolio piece comes in the next step.
Write the brief that starts your KA1 working pack: your subject, one research question, three keyword phrases, and one line on why the question is answerable. Type all four parts into the first draft box, one under the other. This is the only piece that goes in your Communication Portfolio today.
If time is short, a first complete draft is enough to file as m2_l36_research_question_<your-initials>.txt. Marking weak parts and writing a tighter version beside the first is bonus when you have the minutes.
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