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Planning

Accreditation period for Units 1–4 from 2025

Developing a program


The VCE Extended Investigation enables students to develop knowledge and skills related to designing and investigating a rigorous research question. Students apply an ethical, robust, disciplined, and rational approach to identify and refine their research question and research methods and collect data and evidence within the context of their educational setting, typically a secondary school.

VCE Extended Investigation provides an opportunity for students to develop the skills of critical thinking and to develop as independent and reflective learners. Undertaking this study requires self-motivation, organisation and resilience. Students must meet a number of milestones during the study: formulating a rigorous research question, researching the field, designing research methods, collecting and analysing data, and reporting on findings.

The investigations that students undertake provide them with the opportunity to increase their depth of knowledge in specific research areas. However, the emphasis of this study is on the development of the underpinning skills involved in undertaking an investigation while being actively engaged in critical thinking.

Conducting Research

Conducting research for the VCE Extended Investigation involves students selecting a research area; developing and refining a rigorous research question and research method/s in the context of the selected area; and collecting data and evidence to develop a written report and oral presentation. The topics in this section reflect this process and are inter-related:

  • Selection of research area
  • Designing a research question
  • Sourcing academic information
  • Mentoring
  • Selection of research method/s
  • Research ethics
  • Lodgement of selected research question with the VCAA
  • Research project management

At the centre of the VCE Extended Investigation is a rigorous, focused and meaningful research question. The research question drives the investigation and must provide the opportunity to demonstrate the highest level of achievement as described in the assessment criteria and performance level descriptors. Questions that are too narrow will not allow this, but neither will a question that is too broad or beyond the skills and abilities of a VCE student. Achievable investigations align with the parameters of the study and these parameters affect all aspects of conducting research. There are practical parameters such as the time and resources, as well as academic and ethical parameters aligned to the requirements of the study and the skills and background of the VCE student.

Top Talks

Top Talks is part of the VCAA Season of Excellence and showcases exceptional oral presentations from VCE Extended Investigation students. This page lists topics of past presenters, describes the selection process and includes a seven minute documentary with interviews with Top Talk students, the Chief Assessor-Oral Presentation and the Extended Investigation program manager at the time of filming, accessible through the Top Talks archive.

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions (February 2025)
A set of frequently asked questions for the VCE Extended Investigation Study Design Units 1-4 from 2025.