Investigate

=__**Criterion A: Investigate**__=

Investigation is an essential stage in the design cycle. Students are expected to identify the problem, develop a design brief and formulate a design specification. Students are expected to acknowledge the sources of information and document these appropriately.


 * The student should explain **the problem**, discussing its relevance to life, society and/or the environment.
 * The student should investigate the problem, identifying and evaluating relevant information from a broad range of appropriate sources and acknowledge them.
 * The students should select organise and present information logically and analyse it
 * The student must state what they are going to do about the problem as a result of their investigation into the problem (**The design brief**)
 * The student should list the specific requirements (**design specification**) that must be met by the product (what it must have, be or do)
 * The student should describe detailed methods for appropriate testing to evaluate the product/solution against the design specification.
 * The student should formulate **tests** that can be used to test the final product to verify that it has met the design specification

Notes


 * Design brief**: The student’s response to the challenge, showing how they intend to solve the problem they have been presented with. This will guide their investigation as they work to develop a more detailed design specification.


 * Design specification:** A detailed description of the conditions, requirements and restrictions with which a design must comply. This is a precise and accurate list of facts such as conditions, dimensions, materials, process and methods that are important for the designer and for the user. All appropriate solutions will need to comply with the design specification.