IBO Research Skills

I was reading the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) document titled 'Making the PYP Happen'. I found the most beautiful little section which outlines the kinds of research skills the Primary Years Program (PYP) seeks to develop in  learners. It calls these transdisciplinary skills.

I had been worried that I was pushing my Year 5 class too hard in the area of research by asking them to create surveys and analyse the data. However, after reading this document, I see that I am right on track and will now delve deeper into the interpretation of data.

Research Skills

Formulating Questions - Identifying something one wants or needs to know and asking compelling and relevant questions that can be researched.

Observing - Using all the senses to notice relevant details.



Planning - Develop a course of action; writing an outline; devising ways of finding out necessary information.

Collecting data - Gathering information from a variety of first- and second-hand sources such as maps, surveys, direct observation, books, films, people, museums and ICT.

Recording data - Describing and recording observations by drawing, note taking, making charts, tallying, writing statements.

Organizing data - Sorting and categorizing information; arranging into understandable forms such as narrative descriptions, tables, timelines, graphs and diagrams.

Interpreting data - Drawing conclusions from relationships and patterns that emerge from organized data.

Presenting research findings - Effectively communicating what has been learned; choosing appropriate media.

(International Baccalaureate Organization 2007)