Research Process

6th Grade Animal Study Model

Topic

Animals This topic is way too broad to

cover in one year, let alone in one research paper, so we have to make it a more specific topic.

Narrow the Topic

Animals that live in North America (this is still too broad a topic as it encompasses hundreds of animals).

Chose one specific animal to focus your research on. For example:

Genetic Cloning of Sheep

Statement of Controlling Purpose

The purpose of this research is to defend the position that genetic cloning of sheep is inhumane and poses a greater threat to mankind, therefore it should be ceased immediately.

Or The purpose of this research is to defend the

position that genetic cloning of sheep is a great opportunity to study cloning in a non-threatening way for humans as to make a contribution to mankind such as organ transplant and harvesting.

Note that this statement can be revamped into a thesis statement later to be included in your first paragraph of your research paper.

Guiding Questions

What is a guiding question?

What is the purpose of a guiding question?

What makes a good guiding question?

Questions cannot be

answered with yes or no

too broad

too narrow

vague

opinionated

irrelevant

Questions should be

open ended

clearly stated

relevant

answerable

PURPOSE

Guiding Questions are used to “guide” your research and help you stay on track.

These questions eventually should help you form your thesis.

Your thesis contains specific examples that support your statement of controlling purpose.

Irrelevant Model Questions

What is the color of the animal?What is the animal’s favorite

food?Where can I buy one?What is the color of their eyes?

Relevant Model Questions:

What is the issue surrounding this animal? Present the pro (for) and con (against) sides of this

debate. What position do you take on this issue pro or con? What are three arguments to prove your positions will

you outline in your paper? 1. Argument #12. Argument #23. Argument #3

What legislation or laws are currently in place concerning this animal issue that support or defend the rights of these animals?

Genetic Cloning of Sheep1. The teacher will split the class into two groups Pro and Con.

2. The groups are broke up into fours and then paired off in twos within the group of four.

3. Brainstorm with a partner one relevant guiding question about Genetic Cloning of Sheep (Pro if you are on the Pro side or Con if you are on the Con side) after you and your partner write it down.

4. Now turn to your group and share each guiding question that you came up with.

5. Last, try to write two guiding question by yourself about Genetic Cloning of Sheep.

6. In a four people group, you should end up with 5 questions total. One for each member the first time and one that you create in the end alone.

Guiding Questions about Genetic Cloning of Sheep

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Prime Questions

Why?Why does Genetic Cloning of Sheep have

such an interconnection with the human existence?

Why is this issue a dilemma to solve in today’s society?

How?How can you help to be an activist for or

against genetic cloning of sheep?

RationaleDefend a position pro or con for a certain animal issue where human beings should or should not be allowed to use (name of animal) as objects of sport, entertainment, experiment on or clone. Introduction: Background and Context of Animal IssueArgument #1Argument #2Argument #3Argument #4In legislation, policy, and the real world involving this animal issue.What can you do to help the issue to be realized in your area?

Research with LibrarianWebsite Username Password

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Streamline

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Destiny Click on this link and select Forestbrook Middle School, then select the second tab for the card catalog.

Animal Research

Defend a position pro or con for a certain animal issue where human beings should or should not be allowed to use (name of animal) as objects of sport, entertainment, experiment on or clone. Introduction: Background and Context of Animal Issue Argument #1 Argument #2 Argument #3 Argument #4 In legislation, policy, and the real world involving this animal issue. What can you do to help the issue to be realized in your area?

LexileSearch page

You can search the Lexile Book Database using basic search parameters: Title (including partial titles -- e.g., "moon" when looking for "Goodnight Moon") Author (including partial names -- e.g., "rowl" when looking for Rowling) Lexile Range (allows a variance around a reader's Lexile measure) Keywords (searches both the book's title and its description) ISBN (allows you to target a specific title)

MLA Citation Maker

This website will be a major aid to you after you have conducted your research and gathered your information on your Source Information Form. You just select what type of source you would like to create a citation for and you plug in data. The citation maker puts all of the information in the correct order with punctuation. Of course you need to also practice this without the website. This is just a great place to double check your work.

Possible end result(focus of the research)

How has the issue surrounding this animal (ex. genetic cloning of sheep) impacted mankind?

THESIS STATEMENT Pro Position:

Genetic cloning of sheep has a positive direct reflection on the possibilities that mankind possesses as evidenced in the following arguments *A, B, and C if we are just willing to take risks and think beyond the realms of the possible.

Or Con Position:

Genetic cloning of sheep has a negative direct reflection on the evil that mankind possesses as evidenced in the following arguments * A, B, and C if we are just willing to pull back and let nature take care of it’s own.

Remember you are to defend a position pro or con for a certain animal issue where human beings should or should not be allowed to use (name of animal) as objects of sport, entertainment, experiment on or clone.

A, B, C are three specific arguments that show obvious connections to the issue involving the animal you are studying.