Week 2 of 6
Research deck
Answer a focused question with inspectable sources and a coherent argument.
You can research a question, separate evidence from fluent language, and present a defensible answer.
Watch and practise first
Two links: an 8–14 slide deck, and a separate document holding your source log.
- Gamma — recommended
- Google Slides, Canva, or PowerPoint exported to a link
- Source log in Google Docs or Sheets
In Gamma: Share → set access to anyone with the link → Copy link. In Google Slides: Share → "Anyone with the link" → Viewer.
Everything the work must contain
- 01The focused question, and who the deck is for.
- 02Your answer stated near the beginning, not saved for the end.
- 03Evidence, counter-evidence, and the limitations of both.
- 04Charts or tables where a number is easier to see than to read.
- 05Source references attached to the claims they support.
- 06A closing recommendation, implication, or next question.
- 07In the source log: title, publisher, date, URL, the relevant claim, and the limitation — for all five or more sources.
Open every link in a private or incognito window before you submit. If it asks you to sign in or to request access, your reviewer will see exactly the same thing.
2 separate links
- Link to your deck
8–14 slides. Must open without a sign-in.
- Link to your source log
The separate document with one row per source.
- One claim you changed or removed after checking the source
100–200 words. Name the claim, what the source actually said, and what you did about it.
What a reviewer checks
- 01The deck answers a focused question for a clearly defined audience.
- 02Important claims are supported by credible, inspectable sources.
- 03The story, evidence, and visual hierarchy are coherent from start to finish.
How to build it
Week 2 - Research and Communicate a Defensible Answer
Capability
Research a focused question, distinguish evidence from AI-generated language, and communicate the answer to a defined audience. A polished deck with weak sources fails this week.
Continue the domain problem chosen in Week 1. Convert it into one answerable research question.
Examples:
- Commerce or management: Which three factors most influence adoption of a service in a chosen market?
- Humanities or social science: What evidence supports and challenges a specific policy claim?
- Science or health: What does recent credible evidence say about a narrowly defined public-health behaviour?
Research
- Define the audience and the decision or understanding the deck should enable.
- Find at least five credible sources. Prefer primary research, official data, regulatory material, or established institutions.
- Record title, publisher, date, URL, relevant claim, and limitations for every source.
- Use AI to help generate search terms, group findings, challenge assumptions, and improve structure.
- Verify every material claim against the original source. Never cite a source you did not open.
Build
Create an 8-14 slide public deck with:
- a focused question and audience;
- an executive answer near the beginning;
- evidence, counter-evidence, and limitations;
- readable charts or tables where useful;
- source references connected to the claims they support;
- a final recommendation, implication, or next question.
Gamma, Google Slides, Canva, PowerPoint, or another accessible tool is acceptable.
Reading is free and always will be. Applying gets you the review — a person who reads what you built against the rubric above.
Apply to the program