What is Research?

Ms. McGhee 3rd grade

What is research?

• To investigate• To collect

information from many sources

• To organize information in a meaningful way

Why do we research?

• To learn• For fun• To share information• To become an

expert

Who does research?

• Scientists• Lawyers• Doctors• Teachers• Actors• STUDENTS!!!

What is a Topic and a Subtopic? • A topic is the main idea that

you want to research. • A subtopic is a smaller topic

within the main topic.

Example of a Topic: VolcanoesSubtopics: Mount Vesuvius, lava, ash

More Examples

• United States of America

• Reptiles• Solar System• Weather• Authors• Sports

• Florida, Alabama

• Snakes, frogs• Planets, stars• Rain, hurricane• Dahl, Rawling• Tennis, hockey

Topic Subtopic

Can you think of any Topics and Subtopics?

How do I choose a topic to research? • Does the topic interest

me? • Will I be able to find

information easily? • Will I learn something

new? • Is it too hard for me to

understand?

Where do I find research?

• Internet• Books• Interviews• Videos• Magazines• Newspapers

Researching on the Internet• Use credible sources. • Make sure your source

is a “smart” one. Kids.nationalgeographic.

comKidsclick.orgDO NOT use Wikipedia. DO NOT use Ask.com

How do I Write a Bibliography?

Here are two examples from MLA (Modern Language Association):

For a book:     Schreiber, Anne. Sharks!. New York: Scholastic, Inc., (c) 2008.

For a website article without an author:  Sharks. http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/sharks/, January 13, 2015. (the date is the date in which you did the research)

Taking Notes when Researching

• What is important? • What is relevant to your

topic and/or subtopic? • What will interest and

educate your reader? • Remember to paraphrase

and summarize. If you copy exactly what the author wrote, you are plagiarizing.

More on Taking Notes

• If you’re researching nocturnal animals and their eating habits, does it matter that some bats weigh as little as 4 pounds?

• If you’re researching inventions and their inventors, does it matter that Thomas Edison (inventor of the light blub), had six brothers and sisters?