Investigation (Leaving Cert LCVP): Revision Notes
Investigation
This element focuses on using knowledge from your other Leaving Certificate subjects to create effective investigation questions when studying community enterprises and voluntary organisations.
Purpose of cross-curricular investigation
LCVP encourages students to connect theory from other Leaving Certificate subjects to real-world voluntary and community organisations. This approach ensures that your investigation questions are relevant, focused, and lead to useful, examinable information during visits or interviews.
By linking your questions to established academic frameworks, you can gather more meaningful data that demonstrates both your understanding of the organisation and your ability to apply theoretical knowledge practically.
Cross-curricular investigation is a cornerstone of LCVP methodology. It transforms theoretical learning from your other subjects into practical tools for understanding community organisations, making your investigation more academically rigorous and examination-relevant.
Using Leaving Certificate subjects to inform questions
Business studies connections
Learning applied: Organisational structure, funding mechanisms, marketing strategies, and human resource management.
Sample investigation questions:
- How is your organisation structured and who makes key decisions?
- What sources of funding do you use - donations, grants, or fundraising events?
- How do you promote your events or services to the public?
- What challenges do you face in recruiting and keeping volunteers?
Economics connections
Learning applied: Economic role of the voluntary sector and local economic impact analysis.
Sample investigation questions:
- How does your organisation contribute to the local economy?
- Have economic changes like inflation or unemployment rates affected demand for your services?
- Do you work with local businesses or suppliers?
Home economics / Social and scientific connections
Learning applied: Community wellbeing, nutrition, and health promotion initiatives.
Sample investigation questions:
- How does your organisation support health and wellbeing in the community?
- Do you provide food or nutrition-based services such as Meals on Wheels?
- How do you adapt services for people with different dietary needs or health conditions?
Geography connections
Learning applied: Settlement patterns, environmental awareness, and transport considerations.
Sample investigation questions:
- Do you serve mainly people from the local area or a wider region?
- How does the location of your premises affect accessibility for service users?
- Do you run or support any environmental projects in the community?
Construction studies / Design and communication graphics connections
Learning applied: Facilities design, safety requirements, and accessibility standards.
Sample investigation questions:
- How do you ensure your facilities are accessible for all users - ramps, signage, safety features?
- Have you carried out any building improvements or renovations recently?
Agricultural science / Biology connections
Learning applied: Sustainability principles, environmental protection, health and safety protocols.
Sample investigation questions:
- Do you have any programmes related to the environment or biodiversity?
- How do you ensure safety and hygiene in service delivery?
Steps to formulate effective questions
Essential Process for Question Development:
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Review LC subject notes for relevant concepts that could apply to voluntary organisations.
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Match topics from those subjects to specific aspects of the organisation you want to investigate.
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Write open-ended questions that encourage detailed answers rather than simple yes/no responses.
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Prioritise clarity - avoid overly technical language unless the audience is familiar with it.
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Group questions by theme such as funding, services, or challenges to make interviews flow smoothly.
Example: Investigating a Tidy Towns committee
Worked Example: Tidy Towns Committee Investigation
When investigating a local Tidy Towns committee, you could ask:
- From Business: "How do you budget for your annual activities?"
- From Geography: "How do you decide which areas of the town to prioritise for clean-ups?"
- From Economics: "How does winning a Tidy Towns award benefit local businesses?"
- From Home Economics: "Do you run any educational programmes for local schools on sustainability?"
This demonstrates how each subject provides a unique perspective on the same organisation, creating a comprehensive investigation approach.
Exam tips
Critical Points for Examination Success:
- Linking questions to LC subjects makes interviews more relevant and purposeful
- This approach ensures the information gathered is directly usable in reports and exam answers
- Open-ended, well-prepared questions lead to richer, more detailed insights
- Always prepare questions in advance and group them logically by theme
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
- Cross-curricular investigation connects your LC subjects to real community organisations
- Each subject provides a unique lens for understanding different aspects of voluntary organisations
- Open-ended questions based on academic frameworks yield more valuable information
- Proper question preparation ensures interviews are focused and productive
- This approach demonstrates both theoretical knowledge and practical application skills