6. Doing the Research

6. Doing the 6. Doing the ResearchResearch

Ken 9610051AKen 9610051A

Nicky 9610903ANicky 9610903A

Agnes 9610503AAgnes 9610503A

Jennifer 9810014EJennifer 9810014E

Edward 9610009AEdward 9610009A

6a What information to 6a What information to look forlook for

6a-1 Single-fact information6a-1 Single-fact information To answer specific factual questions.To answer specific factual questions. 6a-2 General information6a-2 General information To provide an overview of a subject or To provide an overview of a subject or

a particular topic.a particular topic. 6a-3 In-depth information6a-3 In-depth information In-depth information be found in sourIn-depth information be found in sour

ces that a topic in detail.ces that a topic in detail.

6b Where to look for 6b Where to look for informationinformation

Ask your librarian about online Ask your librarian about online databases.databases.

Look up your topic in an outline Look up your topic in an outline encyclopedia.encyclopedia.

Check the Library of Congress’s Check the Library of Congress’s online catalog for books on your online catalog for books on your

subject.subject.

Consult Appendix B of this book Consult Appendix B of this book for an annotated listing of for an annotated listing of

reference sources.reference sources.

Please turn to our textbook Please turn to our textbook p.229p.229

Google is a good beginning.Google is a good beginning.

Check the bibliography at the end Check the bibliography at the end of encyclopedia articles.of encyclopedia articles.

Search the computerized library Search the computerized library catalog under the subject heading as catalog under the subject heading as well as any suggested cross listing.well as any suggested cross listing.

Check Check Book Review DigestBook Review Digest for for summaries of reviewed book.summaries of reviewed book.

Check a standard dictionary or go Check a standard dictionary or go to Dictionary. comto Dictionary. com

Check Check Who’s WhoWho’s Who for information for information about noteworthy people.about noteworthy people.

Consult gazetteers and atlasesConsult gazetteers and atlases

General indexesGeneral indexes United StatesUnited States HistoryHistory 1865-1898 1865-1898 Custer’s Black Hills Expedition [Cover story] W. C. PatriCuster’s Black Hills Expedition [Cover story] W. C. Patri

c. ilc. il map por map por American History American History v38 no2 p34-42 Je 2003v38 no2 p34-42 Je 2003 1961-19631961-1963 JFK’s Second Term [Excerpt from An Unfinished Life] JFK’s Second Term [Excerpt from An Unfinished Life]

R.R. Dallek.Dallek. Atlantic Monthly Atlantic Monthly ( (19931993) v291 no5 p58-61, 6) v291 no5 p58-61, 6

4-6 Je4-6 Je 20032003

1969-19741969-1974 Capers, Tapers, &c. [30th anniversary of Watergate heariCapers, Tapers, &c. [30th anniversary of Watergate heari

ngs]ngs] D. Frum. D. Frum. National ReviewNational Review v55 no11 p56 Je 16 2003 v55 no11 p56 Je 16 2003

Specialized indexesSpecialized indexes

Specialized indexesSpecialized indexes: catalog informati: catalog information on specific subjects. on on specific subjects.

Different specific subjects have their oDifferent specific subjects have their own indexes wn indexes

Choose the right index on your subject Choose the right index on your subject

Using interviews and Using interviews and surveyssurveys

InterviewInterview is another important source is another important source of information. of information.

Expert is recognized as an authority in Expert is recognized as an authority in a particular subject.a particular subject.

In addition, experts can be someone wIn addition, experts can be someone who has had a unique experience. ho has had a unique experience.

You have to You have to establish expert’s credentialsestablish expert’s credentials

to evidence he or she is an expert.to evidence he or she is an expert.

Judge whether he or she is an expert on your Judge whether he or she is an expert on your topic or not.topic or not.

Do not use the interview of experts and Do not use the interview of experts and eyewitness only.eyewitness only.

Some research projects require surveys, Some research projects require surveys, especially in especially in psychologypsychology and and social social sciences.sciences.

Corresponding by e-mailCorresponding by e-mail

E-mailing an expert and asking the rigE-mailing an expert and asking the right questions is an efficient way of gettiht questions is an efficient way of getting information.ng information.

Be sure to identify yourself and your reBe sure to identify yourself and your research project, and to ask specific, poisearch project, and to ask specific, pointed question so that the expert knows nted question so that the expert knows what you’re getting at and can answewhat you’re getting at and can answer quickly.r quickly.

Attending lectures, concerts, or Attending lectures, concerts, or art exhibitsart exhibits

A famous lecturer, artist, or musician paA famous lecturer, artist, or musician passing through your campus or town may ssing through your campus or town may be used as unique citation on your chosebe used as unique citation on your chosen topic.n topic.

Whatever you do, don’t forget to make Whatever you do, don’t forget to make a bibliographic card linked to your notes a bibliographic card linked to your notes so you can make accurate citation of the so you can make accurate citation of the source when you write the paper.source when you write the paper.

6c Assembling a working 6c Assembling a working bibliographybibliography

The process:The process: 3x5 card3x5 card Name of authors Name of authors

Title of workTitle of work

Facts of publicationFacts of publication

Pages of informationPages of information Location of sourceLocation of source Library call numberLibrary call number

6d Selecting your sources: 6d Selecting your sources: SkimmingSkimming

Here are some hints.Here are some hints.

Glance at the preface.Glance at the preface. That’s where the author usually recoThat’s where the author usually reco

unts the major ideas.unts the major ideas.

Look up the subject in the index of thLook up the subject in the index of the book.e book.

You can easily see where is your sourcYou can easily see where is your sourc

e on which page.e on which page.

Read the chapter headings.Read the chapter headings.

Subheadings also can tell you the Subheadings also can tell you the major ideas.major ideas.

Read the first and last two Read the first and last two sentences in paragraph.sentences in paragraph.

To find out what information it To find out what information it contains.contains.

Glance at the opening paragraph.Glance at the opening paragraph.

The author’s thesis is stated in the firThe author’s thesis is stated in the first paragraph.st paragraph.

Glance at concluding Glance at concluding paragraphs.paragraphs.

These final paragraphs sum up the These final paragraphs sum up the major ideas.major ideas.

Reading every fourth or fifth sentencReading every fourth or fifth sentence.e.

To get a fair ideaTo get a fair idea

Primary and Primary and secondary sourcessecondary sources

Primary sources are Primary sources are original writingsoriginal writings by an author, documents, artifacts, labby an author, documents, artifacts, laboratory experiments, other data that poratory experiments, other data that provide firsthand info.rovide firsthand info.

Secondary sourcesSecondary sources are writings, spee are writings, speeches, or other document about a priches, or other document about a primary sources.mary sources.

Paper should consist of primary and sePaper should consist of primary and secondary sources of evidence.condary sources of evidence.

Evaluating sourcesEvaluating sources

Choose sources that cover your partiChoose sources that cover your particular subject in depth.cular subject in depth.

Choose only material that hits the proveChoose only material that hits the proverbial nail on the head of your topic.rbial nail on the head of your topic.

Recognize the point of view in sourceRecognize the point of view in sources..s..

The title and opening paragraph reveal tThe title and opening paragraph reveal the writer’s point of view.he writer’s point of view.

Verify one opinion against another.Verify one opinion against another.

To check the opinion whether it is agreeTo check the opinion whether it is agreed with other experts.d with other experts.

Note the date of the evidence.Note the date of the evidence.

In researching topics, you should seek tIn researching topics, you should seek the up-to-date data that is the most imphe up-to-date data that is the most important.ortant.

Exercise your editorial judgment.Exercise your editorial judgment.

Use your common sense and attention tUse your common sense and attention to evaluating the source of evidence.o evaluating the source of evidence.

Check your evaluations against those Check your evaluations against those of professionals.of professionals.

Researcher should check the author wheResearcher should check the author whether he/she is qualified for giving you ether he/she is qualified for giving you evaluation or not.valuation or not.

Beware of statistics.Beware of statistics.

What the statistics we use are specific anWhat the statistics we use are specific and concrete with credibility.d concrete with credibility.

6e Note-taking6e Note-taking

6e-1 Choosing the Number of 6e-1 Choosing the Number of NotesNotes

The paper demands:The paper demands: a. a. Your opinionated conclusionsYour opinionated conclusions

b. b. Evidence and other opinionsEvidence and other opinions supporting supporting themthem

6e-2 Format6e-2 Formattt ing the Note Carding the Note Cardss

Use 4×6 cardsUse 4×6 cards Write in inkWrite in ink Write down only one ideaWrite down only one idea on each caron each car

dd Identify the source of the noteIdentify the source of the note Jot down a general headingJot down a general heading

6e-2 Format6e-2 Formattt ing the Note Caing the Note Cardsrds

Fulop-Miller 3-10Fulop-Miller 3-10 Rasputin’s Rasputin’s appearanceappearance

The content of your notes……The content of your notes……

sources General heading

4 × 6 Cards

6e-3 Using the Computer to 6e-3 Using the Computer to Take NotesTake Notes

Two approaches:

a. Download material print it out highlight the passages

b. Keep electronic sources in the computer organize them by files transfer quotations by the tool of copy and paste

Attention please:1.Well-organized sources in your computer!2. How to keep track of your source?

Well-organized sources in your computer

6e-4 Using a Copy Machine to 6e-4 Using a Copy Machine to Take NotesTake Notes

Suggestions :Suggestions : Write down details about source imWrite down details about source im

mediately after copying it.mediately after copying it. Be neat about the pages you copyBe neat about the pages you copy

Much easier !

6e-5 Kinds of Notes6e-5 Kinds of Notes

Four kinds of notes:Four kinds of notes:

a.a. The summaryThe summary b.b. The paraphraseThe paraphrase c.c. The quotationThe quotation d. The personal commentd. The personal comment

a. a. The SummaryThe Summary

Condensation of significant factsCondensation of significant facts

Common sense should govern your use Common sense should govern your use ofof summarysummary

(Figure 6-5 on Rasputin)(Figure 6-5 on Rasputin)

b. b. The Paraphrase (most common The Paraphrase (most common form)form)

The purposes of paraphrasing:The purposes of paraphrasing:

It shows that you have mastered the It shows that you have mastered the materialmaterial

It gives your paper a consistent styleIt gives your paper a consistent style (Figure 6-6 on Rasputin)(Figure 6-6 on Rasputin)

c. c. The quotationThe quotation If the quotation contains a misspelled or If the quotation contains a misspelled or

other errors, reproduce it faithfully, other errors, reproduce it faithfully, placing beside it [sic] placing beside it [sic]

The rules to avoid overusing quotation:The rules to avoid overusing quotation:1)1) Limit quoted material to no more than Limit quoted material to no more than

10% of the total paper10% of the total paper2)2) Quote only when the authority of the Quote only when the authority of the

writer is needed or when the material writer is needed or when the material can’t be paraphrased or summarizedcan’t be paraphrased or summarized

d. d. The personal commentThe personal comment Your ideas & conjectures & conclusionsYour ideas & conjectures & conclusions StaplingStapling

Plagiarism and how to Plagiarism and how to avoid itavoid it

Plagiarism is the act of passing anothePlagiarism is the act of passing anotherr’’s words and ideas as your own.s words and ideas as your own.

To avoid plagiarism you To avoid plagiarism you have to do the following:have to do the following: Provide a note for any idea borrowed fProvide a note for any idea borrowed f

rom another.rom another. Place quoted material in quotation maPlace quoted material in quotation ma

rks.rks. Provide a bibliography entry at the end Provide a bibliography entry at the end

of the paper for every source used in tof the paper for every source used in the text or in a note.he text or in a note.

The following must be The following must be accompanied by a citation accompanied by a citation specifying author and source:specifying author and source: Any idea derived from a known source.Any idea derived from a known source. Any fact or data borrowed from the Any fact or data borrowed from the

work of another.work of another. Any especially clever or apt expression, Any especially clever or apt expression,

whether or not it says something new, whether or not it says something new, that is taken from someone else.that is taken from someone else.

Any material lifted verbatim from the Any material lifted verbatim from the work of another.work of another.

Any information that is paraphrased oAny information that is paraphrased or summarized and then used in a resear summarized and then used in a research paper.rch paper.

Thank you for your Thank you for your listeninglistening