Three resources. Three different jobs.
Today you will mostly use the WEBSITE first, then switch to the RESEARCH TRAIL. Only move into the STUDENT DOCUMENT when the page tells you to.
1. Variables: what changes, what responds, what must stay fair?
Your investigation title gives the relationship. You still need to decide exactly what will be measured.
The factor you deliberately change
For this assignment, the IV must be measurable over a suitable range of numerical values.
The outcome you measure
The DV must also produce quantitative data. In this scenario, the title points you towards acceleration — but you still need to decide how it will be obtained.
Other factors that could change the result
These are kept the same, or monitored, so that changes in the DV can reasonably be linked to the IV.
2. Quick variable checks
Use these to check the idea rather than write coursework.
Quick check A
A trolley is released on ramps set to several measured inclines. Its acceleration is obtained from motion data. What is the IV?
Quick check B
Which is the better IV description for this live assignment?
3. Search the science, not the coursework title
Good research starts by breaking a problem into smaller searchable ideas.
Avoid searching the whole assignment wording
“How the incline of a slope affects the acceleration of an object coursework answer”
This tends to lead towards generic answers rather than scientific research.
Break it into research jobs
inclined plane accelerationmeasuring acceleration trolleymotion sensor accelerationvideo analysis accelerationfriction inclined planeincline acceleration experimental data
These are examples of search concepts, not a list you must copy.
4. Is the source actually useful?
A source is not good just because it appeared near the top of Google.
The five-question source check
- Who produced it?
- Why does it exist — to explain, report, teach, sell, or persuade?
- Where did its claims or data come from?
- When was it produced or updated?
- Can the important information be checked against another credible source?
Useful starting points
Universities, professional/scientific organisations, textbooks, peer-reviewed research, reputable technical sources and established educational resources can all be useful depending on what you need.
Google helps you find a source. The search-results page is not the source you reference.
5. AI and search results
Google and other search tools may show AI-generated summaries before the original sources.
Keep ownership of the work
- Do not copy an AI summary into your coursework.
- Use useful keywords or links to reach the original source.
- Read that source yourself and decide whether it is credible.
- Make your own notes in your Research Trail.
- Follow your centre's AI policy and tell your teacher if you have deliberately used an AI tool.
A useful test
If your teacher asks:
“Where did this idea come from, what does it mean, and why did you use it?”
you should be able to answer without relying on an AI-generated script.
6. Build your research trail
This is where the actual research notes and source details go.
Research job A • Science
Find reliable information that helps you understand why changing incline could affect motion and acceleration.
Research job B • Measurement
Find information about possible ways acceleration could be measured or calculated in a school investigation.
Research job C • Data
Look deliberately for numerical secondary data — for example a table, graph or published measurements relevant enough that you might later compare them with your own results.
Aim for a small number of genuinely useful sources rather than filling rows for the sake of it. Your teacher may set a minimum for today.
P1 • Use research to create an appropriate research question
Your research question is individual to you. The website checks the requirements; it does not write the question.
Your P1 evidence needs to show
- Your research has genuinely informed the question you create.
- The question has one IV and one DV.
- The IV can be measured over a suitable range of numerical values.
- Both IV and DV produce quantitative data.
- The question indicates how the investigation will be performed.
- You have kept relevant research data that could later support M7.
Questions to answer in your own work
- What useful scientific or methodological information did your research reveal?
- What did that research make you consider or change about your investigation?
- What numerical secondary data have you retained?
- What is your final proposed research question?
Do not treat these as sentence starters. They are prompts to make sure your own explanation is complete.
End-of-lesson check
You do not need everything finished today, but you should know what is missing.
I can explain...
- what IV, DV and control variables are;
- why both main variables need quantitative data;
- how to search for scientific information rather than an assignment answer;
- how I judge whether a source is useful.
I have started...
- a Research Trail containing exact sources and own-word notes;
- research into measurement methods;
- searching for useful numerical secondary data;
- thinking about my own P1 research question.