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How to ace the Research Project in SACE

As daunting as it may sound, let’s dive into what the SACE research project is and how you can make it as useful to you as possible (and maybe even fun!)

2 years ago   •   4 min read

Ahhh the research project - the subject of developing a specific, (but not too specific!) open-ended research question on the topic of your choice. Your entire semester will revolve around this developed question, and you’ll keep on coming back to it to write reflections on your progress as you go. As daunting as this may sound, let’s first dive into what the research project is and how you can make it as useful to you as possible (and maybe even fun!)

So what is the research project?

Unlike your other SACE stage 2 subjects being 20 credits, the research project is a 10-credit SACE subject you will either complete in year 11 or 12 depending on which high school you attend. The subject consists of three parts: the folio, outcome, and review for research project A or the evaluation if you are undertaking research project B. Despite research projects A and B having different performance standards, both encourage you to explore a topic of choice in depth, gathering various sources and writing reflections on your learning. In the first few weeks of the subject, your teacher will guide you when developing your question. The folio is 10 pages in length and typically consists of your reflections and the main sources you have collected through your research (both primary and secondary sources!). You will then write an outcome that is essentially answering your original research question. Lastly, comes the evaluation or review where you will write an overall reflection and evaluate the findings in the outcome.

So why is the research project necessary?

While the big workload can be overwhelming at first, the research project is good at teaching you analytical and research skills. Doing source analysis enables you to critically evaluate your chosen sources. You will scrutinize the reliability, credibility, and validity of each of your sources. While the relevance of doing all these analyses may be hard to see at this time, the skills you develop are extremely useful during university and in the workplace. You want to be confident that the information you use can be relied upon and is not something just made up by someone. Treat the research project as a practice for your post-high school life. You want to make sure that you have these skills in your toolbox for when you really need them!

How do I develop the best question for my topic of interest?

The most important part of the research is picking the right topic. You want to pick something you have a strong interest in. This way, it will be much easier for you to feel more motivated to sit down and do your research. However, at the same time, you want to pick a topic that will have lots of research behind it, you don't want to be stuck for sources! To avoid this, write down a list of topics you have an interest in and do some research on each - see what is available online or at a local library. This way, you will be more prepared when your teacher comes over to your desk to ask you what you have done so far! Once you have picked your topic, create another list of possible questions you could investigate. These questions should be open-ended, not just with a simple yes or no answer. Keep in mind you will be writing a 1500 to 2000-word answer to this question, so make it a question you can go into complete depth with. Typical questions should be specific and may begin with ‘to what extent’, ‘evaluate’, ‘what’ or ‘how’. For example, if you picked social media as your topic, your question could be ‘to what extent does social media use impact the attention spans of teenagers aged 13-17?’ rather than ‘does social media impact attention spans?’. You may then have to break down your main question into four more guiding questions to help you structure your folio and outcome. For example, ‘how much time do teenagers aged 13-17 spend on social media every day?’. It is important that you keep documentation of this process as you will be displaying it in your folio.

If you're interested in learning how to write the best SHE task - check out this comprehensive guide.

But how do I complete my folio?

The folio is the first assessment of both research projects A and B. There is no right or wrong way to complete it but you do have to follow specific SACE criteria if you want the highest marks. The majority of students start their project with how they came to their question and a reflection on this process. You can then include the main sources you have used with source analysis. Organising interviews with professionals in your topic’s field and sending out surveys really impresses SACE markers as it shows your engagement with the subject. It demonstrates your research skills and independence to create your own data to support your outcome. Your folio should also include a capability statement to show how you have developed in your chosen SACE capability.

What should I write in my outcome? How do I do my evaluation or review?

Your outcome is the synthesis of all your ideas and findings. You can structure it however you want. This may be in the form of a magazine, report, project, video or in any other form which demonstrates all that research you have done. You must clearly conclude your findings and cite your sources. For research project A, the review begins with a 150-word summary of the process and then a 1500-word review follows which focuses on a reflection of your knowledge and skills as well as the quality of your outcome. For research project B, you should also begin with a 150-word summary of the process and then follow with a 1500-word evaluation, critically evaluating your decisions and processes as well as determining the quality of your outcome. Above all, keep in mind that your teacher is there to help you through this process. It is exciting as you begin to come up with an answer to your question. If you need any help during this time, you can find your best local tutor at: https://kisacademics.com/find-a-tutor . SACE tutors understand how stressful it can be and are more than happy to help!

Written by KIS Academics Tutor for SACE English, Biology and Psychology, Charlotte Kenning. Charlotte is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Speech Pathology at Flinders University and has received stellar reviews from her past KIS Academics students. You can view Charlotte's profile here and request her as a tutor.

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Research Project A & B (Stage 2)

Length of course, compulsory or elective, pre-requisites, subject description.

Students choose a research question that is based on an area of interest to them. They explore and develop one or more capabilities in the context of their research.

The term ‘research’ is used broadly and may include practical or technical investigations, formal research, or exploratory inquiries.

The Research Project provides a valuable opportunity for SACE students to develop and demonstrate skills essential for learning and living in a changing world. It enables students to develop vital skills of planning, research, synthesis, evaluation, and project management.

The Research Project enables students to explore an area of interest in depth, while developing skills to prepare them for further education, training, and work. Students develop their ability to question sources of information, make effective decisions, evaluate their own progress, be innovative, and solve problems.

The content of both Research Project A and B consists of:

• developing the capabilities
• applying the research framework 

In Research Project students choose a research question that is based on an area of interest . They identify one or more capabilities that are relevant to their research.

Students use the research framework as a guide to developing their research and applying knowledge, skills, and ideas specific to their research question. They choose one or more capabilities, explore the concept of the capability or capabilities, and how it or they can be developed in the context of their research.

Students synthesise their key findings to produce a Research Outcome, which is substantiated by evidence and examples from the research. They review the knowledge and skills they have developed, and reflect on the quality of their Research Outcome.

Students must achieve a C– grade or better to complete the subject successfully and gain their SACE.

For Research Project A, students can choose to present their external assessment in written, oral, or multimodal form.

For Research Project B, the external assessment must be written.

The following assessment types enable students to demonstrate their learning in Stage 2 Research Project A and B:

School Assessment (70%)

Assessment Type 1: Folio (30%)

Assessment Type 2: Research Outcome (40%)

External Assessment (30%)

Assessment Type 3: Review (30% Research Project A)

Assessment Type 3: Evaluation (30% Research Project B)

Research Project A and B contribute to an ATAR

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Enterprising Research and the SACE Research Project

Topic outline, 4.1 research project examples.

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Research Projects - SACEi

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Students choosing the research project follow their interests or passions while developing critical skills for further study or work. The subject delivery is very flexible, and students can focus their project on any learning area or subject. They develop many transferable skills, including planning, research, compiling findings, evaluation and project management.  

The research project prepares students for the transition to university study and many career pathways. 

The research project gives students the chance to explore an area of interest in depth. Learners choose a research topic and question and can use a variety of research methods to gather evidence. 

Past topics have included the creation of black holes, fine motor skills, the future of Indigenous languages, dyslexia, and music and movement.

Students examine the purpose of research, explore research approaches and develop their investigative and inquiry skills. They gain skills in planning and undertaking research, data analysis and presenting research findings. This subject, taken in Stage 1, can help students prepare for the research project.

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Overview - Research Project

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Research Project

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In the Research Project, you will have the opportunity to study an area of interest in depth.

It will require you to use your creativity and initiative, while developing the research and presentation skills you will need in further study or work.

Key documents

• 2022 Research Project Subject Assessment Advice.docx 836KB
• Research Project A - subject adjustments 2023.pdf 99KB
• Research Project A Subject Outline (for teaching in 2023).docx 1.4MB
• Research Project B - subject adjustments 2023.pdf 99KB
• Research Project B Subject Outline (for teaching in 2023).docx 1.3MB

Useful links

• Stage 2 key dates
• Teacher FAQs
• Student FAQs
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• Introducing the Research Project to students
• Apply to be a member of an assessment panel

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Subject codes.

THS Curriculum Handbook

Year 11 – Research Project

Length: Single Semester (10 Stage 2 credits) Contact: SACE Leader ALL students must complete the 10-credit Research Project at Stage 2 of the SACE, with a C− grade or better. Course Description Students will:

• Choose a topic of interest and develop a research question
• Learn and apply research processes and the knowledge and skills specific to their research topic
• Record their research and evaluate what they have learnt.

The term research is used broadly and may include practical or technical investigations, formal research, or exploratory enquiries. Students are expected to:

• Work independently and with others to initiate an idea, and to plan and manage a research project
• Demonstrate the learning capability and 1 other chosen capability
• Analyse information and explore ideas to develop their research
• Develop and apply specific knowledge and skills
• Communicate and evaluate their research outcome
• Evaluate the research processes used and their chosen capability.

Assessment (Both ATAR accredited) Research Project A

• Folio (30%)
• Research Outcome (40%)
• Review (external assessment – 30%).

Maximum of 1500 words if written. Maximum of 10 minutes for an oral presentation. Equivalent in multimodal form. Research Project B

• Evaluation (30%).

A maximum of 2000 words if written or a maximum of 12 minutes for an oral presentation, or the equivalent in multimodal form. Note: We strongly advise that Research Project B be undertaken for those students on a University pathway.

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A+ example of the research project folio contains all-source analysis and the 2 journals

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• Schools Online
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SACE Board of South Australia

Find out more about the subjects on offer, assessment strategies, and professional learning opportunities.

• Professional learning
• Resulting and Schools Online

Find out how to help students meet the requirements of the SACE, support teachers in VET and special provisions, and complete your admin tasks.

• Getting started
• Getting ready for end of year
• Administration
• Marketing toolkit
• VET and recognised learning
• Electronic assessment
• Special provisions

Students can learn about their SACE journey, the comprehensive range of subjects on offer, and flexible pathways they can take.

• Your SACE journey
• Help and support
• Subject renewal
• Quality assurance
• Capabilities & Learner Profile
• Recognition of Aboriginal Cultural Knowledge and Learning
• Co-design approach
• Professional Learning
• Drivers for change

Research outcome – RPB | Research Project | SACE - Research Project

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Research outcome

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The following exemplars include graded student work. Documents will continue to be uploaded as they become available.

• RPB A+ Research Outcome: Vibrant City [PDF 6.1MB] (7 April 2016)
• RPB A+ Research Outcome: Architecture of Adelaide Remand Centre [PDF 2.3MB]
• RPB A Research Outcome: Economic growth in Shanghai [PDF 3.3MB]
• RPB A- Research Outcome: NT fireworks [PDF 3.7MB]
• RPB A- Research Outcome: Travel guide [PDF 4MB]
• RPB B+ Research Outcome: Molecular gastronomy [DOC 84KB]
• RPB B+ Research Outcome: Architecture of churches in South Australia [PDF 7MB]
• RPB B+ Research Outcome: Fashion Label Recognition outside of Adelaide [PDF 4MB] (8 April 2016)
• RPB B Research Outcome: Compressed air device [PDF 3.8MB]
• RPB B- Research Outcome: YouTube Vlogging Channel [PDF 2.6MB] (8 April 2016)
• RPB C Research Outcome: Chair upholstery [PDF 1.8MB]