Documentation and Basic Research

Learning Objectives

Present and evaluate a Reading Compare Brainstorming vs. Fact Finding Distinguish between information which

belongs to you vs. information which does not belong to you

Examine primary data sources – surveys, interviews, observation, experimentation

Examine secondary data sources – print sources, electronic sources

Learning Objectives - continued Discuss note taking to avoid plagiarism Emphasize the need to document sources Differentiate between in-text citations and

bibliography Consider Outlining as a method to define the

scope of a topic Introduce Work Plan

Reading Exercise

A 3 to 5 minute reading to a group of your peers.

Purpose

Use voice control techniques such as varying: Pitch Rate Volume Intonation

In addition you should try to maintain some eye contact with your audience while not losing your place in the reading.

Helpful Hint

It is most effective if you stand for your reading to allow everyone to hear without speaking too loudly

How to mark the evaluation sheet Everybody marks each other using the prepared

evaluation sheet.

The marking sheets are anonymous, but please record the reader’s name and topic poem, story about baby, Reader’s Digest article, etc.

Add up the reader’s score out of 10 and include any comments Keep comments above the cutting line.

Brainstorming vs. Fact Finding

What do you remember about Brainstorming from last class?Hint:

The four rules of effective brainstorming

The Process of Brainstorming

Consider every possible idea, no matter how illogical or ridiculous

Be creative

The four rules of effective Brainstorming: No ideas may be criticized or put down.

There is no evaluation during the idea-gathering process.

Ideas do not have to be practical. Strive for quantity.

The more ideas the better.

Combine. Brainstormers could combine ideas already mentioned by others or

improve ideas already given.

Fact Finding

How is it different from Brainstorming?

What is Fact Finding?

Fact Finding means gathering the facts.

This process may help you to define the problem you are writing about or it may defend the solution you have decided on.

Fact Finding may be based on:

Primary Sources

Secondary Sources

Primary Sources Surveys Interviews Observation Experimentation

For example: A scientific experiment A journalists interview

Secondary Sources

Books Periodicals Newspapers Television Movies Videos The internet

Locating Secondary Print Data Books -- card catalogue, online catalogue

Periodicals -- print indexes, CD-ROM indexes

Locating Secondary Electronic Data Electronic databases

The Internet World Wide Web search engines• Google• Yahoo• MSN

Evaluating Web sources

How current is the information?

How credible is the author or source?

What is the purpose of the site?

Do the facts seem reliable?

Tips for Searching the Web

Use two or three search tools.

Understand case sensitivity.

Prefer uncommon words.

Omit articles and prepositions.

Tips for Searching the Web - continued Know your search tool.

Learn basic Boolean search strategies.

Bookmark the best.

Be persistent.

Repeat your search a week later.

Boolean search strategies taken from:

http://www.ryerson.ca/library/subjects/boolhosp.html

Introduction to Boolean "operators"

When searching a database, first think of keywords that best describe your topic. Then combine these keywords using Boolean "operators" to broaden or narrow your search.

Most common Boolean operators: The most common Boolean operators are:

and or not

They determine how the computer searches for your keywords, and what information is returned to you.

AND:

The "and" operator tells the computer to search the database for every entry or record that has each of the words somewhere in the same entry or record.

For example, if you want information on education in Ontario, you might search the appropriate source in this way:

Ontario and education

                                                                     

Conclusion

As illustrated in the above diagram, the computer goes through its database and first retrieves every record it finds with the word Ontario and every record with the word education. It then combines the searches, and gives you only the records in which both words appear somewhere in the same record.

This is a way of narrowing a search and making it very specific.

OR

The "or" operator tells the computer to search the database for every record which has any of the words specified. Both words do not have to occur in the same record.

For example, if you want information on either stress or anxiety, you might search the appropriate source in this way:

stress or anxiety

                                                                    

Conclusion

As the above diagram illustrates, the computer then goes through the database and retrieves every record with stress, and every record with anxiety.

This results in a very broad search

Boolean Search Strategy

Identify the concepts in your search.

List keywords that describe the concepts.

Think of alternative keywords or synonyms for expressing each concept.

Arrange synonyms for the same concept in a group.

Connect your synonyms with "or"s, and place in parentheses.

Boolean Search Strategy- Continued Connect your concepts (or groups of synonyms) with "and"s,

"not"s or proximity operators.

For example, if you are looking for information on liquor laws in Ontario and Quebec, you might search as follows:(alcohol* or liquor or spirits) and (law* or legislation or licens*) and (ontario or quebec)

Select the most appropriate databases for your topic.

Consult the User's manual, if there is one, and make use of on-screen instructions and "Help" pages.

Limit by date or by "full-text" if these apply.

Evaluate the research results, redefine and re-run the search, if necessary.

Different Types of Information

Information which belongs to you. Information which must be cited.

Information which belongs to you Is common knowledge? Is your opinion? Is something you have known for many years? Is something you discovered through direct

experience or through your own observations? Is something you discovered during

conversations with others?

Examples

Plants need water.

The sun shines during the daytime.

The sky is blue.

Important point to remember

This information does not need to be cited.

That is, you do not have to give credit to anyone for this information.

It belongs to you.

Information which does not belong to you Is acquired through reading books,

magazines, newspapers, pamphlets, etc. Is acquired through watching movies,

television, documentaries Is acquired during formal interviews or

training sessions with others Is acquired through the internet or other on-

line sources

Example

E = mc2

The world supply of fossil fuels is limited.

Tuition fees are going up.

Vital Point to Remember

This information must be cited to give credit where credit is due.

Citing is especially important when you are using visuals and illustrations obtained from books and articles.

Remember

Using information that does not belong to you, without crediting the original author, is both:

unethical and illegal.

How to cite information

Direct quotation vs. Indirect quotation

Direct quotations:

You include the information exactly as you found it, word for word.

You place quotation marks around the information, followed by a citation note which refers the reader to a list of sources.

Wise writers use direct quotation for three purposes only: To provide objective background data and

establish the severity of a problem as seen by experts.

To repeat identical phrasing because of its precision, clarity, or aptness.

To duplicate exact wording before criticizing.

Indirect quotation, or paraphrasing: You include information you have changed

into your own words

You do not place quotation marks around this information

You credit the author with a reference to the source of this information

Reasons for crediting sources Strengthens your argument

Gives you protection

Instructs readers

Three documentation formats

Chicago Manual of Style

Superscript figure in text guides reader to footnote or endnote. Bibliography shows all references.

Modern Language Association

Author’s name and page (Smith,100) placed in text; complete references in Works Cited.

American Psychological Association

Author’s name, page number, and date of publication placed near text reference (Jones, 2000, p. 99). Complete references listed at end of report.

Note:This is my preferred method.

Plagiarism

Don’t do it

What is Plagiarism

“Plagiarism is the act of presenting someone else’s words or idea’s as your own – and is a serious academic offence. Whether you are quoting directly or putting an idea or fact into your own words, you must cite your source.”

(Haig, Raikes, & Sutherland, 2006, p4)

Plagiarism

A piece of writing that has been copied from someone else and is presented as being your own work.

The Act of Plagiarizing

Taking someone else's words or ideas and using them as if they were your own.

Penalty for Plagiarism

May vary from a zero grade on the paper to a failure in the course to expulsion from the institution and / or revocation of degree.

Look at Cites and Sources

In-text citations

Look at pages:

18 – 19 Building a citation20 – 21 Using Direct Quotations21 – 22 Paraphrasing26 – 31 Examples

Bibliography

Look at pages:

34 – 35 Preparing a reference list36 – 37 Setting up a reference page38 – 43 General Formatting Rules47 – 55 Sample Entries58 – 62 Modal Reference List

Work Plan for a Formal Report Statement of problem Statement of purpose Research strategy Tentative outline Work schedule

Learning Objectives for next week Discuss functions of reports –

informational/analytical Discuss writing patterns – direct/indirect Discuss types of reports Discuss formats –

letter/memo/manuscript/form Discuss writing style Develop headings style – Functional or

Generic vs. Descriptive or Talking

Learning Objectives for next week - continued Discuss Opening, Body, Closing Parts Compare formal vs. informal reports Review differences between secondary and primary

data Discuss ways of interpreting data Look at ways to illustrate report data Complete an in-class exercise – mean, median,

mode, range Discuss criteria for Presenting Me presentation

Homework

Begin research for Informal Report and Manuscript Report

Remember to document your sources Prepare one page of documented research

material Complete draft Work Plan Bring a calculator to class next week Work on Chapter Quizzes

Thought for the Day

“If you think education is expensive – try ignorance.”

Derek Bok