Understanding why research exists and what functions it serves helps you frame your own Extended Investigation purposefully. It also allows you to situate your work within the broader scholarly conversation in your chosen field.
Research is a systematic process of inquiry aimed at discovering, interpreting or revising knowledge. It is distinguished from casual observation or opinion by its:
- Structured methodology
- Commitment to evidence
- Transparency about process
- Openness to revision based on findings
Research serves several overlapping purposes:
| Purpose | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Descriptive | Documents what exists or what is happening | Surveying how VCE students spend their study time |
| Exploratory | Investigates a topic where little is known | Preliminary study of a newly identified social trend |
| Explanatory | Seeks to explain why something happens (causation) | Testing whether sleep deprivation causes reduced memory retention |
| Evaluative | Assesses the effectiveness or value of something | Examining whether a tutoring program improves outcomes |
| Predictive | Uses existing knowledge to forecast future states | Modelling climate impacts based on emission scenarios |
KEY TAKEAWAY: Your Extended Investigation has a specific purpose — identifying it helps you choose appropriate methods. Descriptive and exploratory research suits qualitative methods; explanatory research often needs quantitative data. Name the purpose of your investigation in your rationale.
Research fulfils critical functions beyond academic curiosity:
Most Extended Investigation projects sit somewhere between these — they answer a specific question, but the methodology draws on established academic knowledge.
No research exists in a vacuum. Your investigation must:
1. Situate itself within existing knowledge — what do we already know?
2. Identify a gap or question — what remains unclear, contested or unexplored?
3. Add to the conversation — how does your work extend, challenge or complement existing findings?
This is why a literature review is not just an academic formality. It is the process by which you justify the existence and significance of your research question.
EXAM TIP: If asked “Why is research important?” or “What is the purpose of the literature review?”, give a specific, functional answer — not a generic statement like “to learn more.” Explain how the research or literature review serves the investigation’s goals.
Your Extended Investigation is a genuine research project. This means:
- You are contributing original inquiry, not just summarising others’ work
- Your process must be transparent and replicable (where applicable)
- Your conclusions must be proportionate to your evidence
- You must engage with the scholarly literature, not just popular sources
APPLICATION: When writing your rationale, explicitly state the purpose of your research (e.g., “This investigation is primarily explanatory, seeking to identify whether X causes Y”) and explain how it connects to existing literature. This demonstrates research literacy and is directly assessed.
COMMON MISTAKE: Treating the Extended Investigation as a glorified essay or summary task. It is an original inquiry. Your conclusions should be your reasoned response to the evidence you gathered — not simply a restatement of what others have found.
