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Making Research Project Work For Me

Posted on December 11, 2019

For many Year 12 students, Research Project can be a daunting prospect. A little bit scary almost. What topic do I choose? What is the ‘perfect’ Research Question?

Mikayla Stone-Talbot conquered these fears by choosing a topic that worked for her. A topic that would help her in the future and a topic that related to real life goals post-Year 12.

Mikayla investigated the factors involved in buying her own home.

After conducting both primary and secondary research on the topic, including an Interview with two first home buyers, an Interview with a home loan specialist, a survey of the pubic as well as investigating and analysing a variety of internet sources, Mikayla was able to produce a report on which factors were most important in purchasing a home.

‘The main factors I found when researching were considering the budget, saving for the deposit and the added fees such as stamp duty, possibly LMI, house inspections, bank fees, conveyancer fees and house inspections. Then considering added expenses and repayment amounts once the house has been bought’ states Mikayla.

Mikayla’s project is a fantastic example of how students can make the Research Project ‘work for them’.

‘I have a clearer understanding on the process of buying my own home and almost feel like an expert on buying a home! As a young adult we don’t often learn about these important life ‘lessons’ in school. Through choosing this as my topic I feel better prepared for whenever this milestone may come. There is much preparation in buying a home, I learnt it’s great to prepare and save even at a young age. If I hadn’t done this research it could’ve taken me longer to prepare and would have been more daunting!’

Mikayla Stone Talbot and Beth Schmidt

Image: Mikayla was a major award winner at the recent Open Access College Awards Ceremony