MYP Design Year 1 · Unit 2 · Lesson 12
Redesign an Everyday Object for a User
L12 · 01

Primary & Secondary Research

Different research methods answer different kinds of design questions.

Student Materials
Two evidence pathways
P
PRIMARYYou gather first-hand evidence for this project.
S
SECONDARYYou use information that already exists.
Use ← → / Space to navigate.Lesson 12 · Research methods
Learning Focus
Choose the right method
L12 · 02

By the end of today, students can…

01

Identify

primary and secondary research methods.

02

Match

a research question to a useful method.

03

Explain

why a designer may need more than one kind of evidence.

A.ii preparationMethod selection
Mini-Lesson
Primary research
L12 · 03

Primary research = evidence you gather directly.

Interview

Ask a user about experience.

Observation

Watch a user interact.

Measurement

Measure objects, spaces, or users when appropriate.

Experiment

Test a material, mechanism, or arrangement.

First-hand and project-specific.Primary
Mini-Lesson
Secondary research
L12 · 04

Secondary research = information that already exists.

Books

Background information and established knowledge.

Articles

Explanations, examples, and findings.

Reference sources

Dimensions, materials, safety, or product information.

Videos / diagrams

Processes, mechanisms, and demonstrations.

Use teacher-approved / reliable sources.Secondary
Which Method?
Question first
L12 · 05
What do I need to know?Research question
→
Who or what has the evidence?User · product · measurement · source
→
What method fits?Primary · secondary · both
Do not choose a method just because it is easy.Question → method
Workshop
Research Method Sort
L12 · 06
Workshop

Sort methods, then match them to questions.

STEP 01

Sort

Primary or secondary?

STEP 02

Match

Which method could answer each design question?

STEP 03

Defend

Explain one match that could reasonably use both.

Cut cards included in student materials.Main workshop
Apply to Your Project
Build a balanced research plan
L12 · 07

Use the organizer to check your own research.

What do I already know first-hand?

Observation · interview · measurement · test

What information is still missing?

What could an existing source help you understand?

Students do not need equal amounts of every method.Relevant research only
Exit Reflection
Research is a toolkit
L12 · 08

Finish one sentence.

“I would use primary research when _______; I would use secondary research when _______.”

Next lesson

Students prioritize the research that matters most for their Unit 2 project.

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