Stepping Up to

Researchat

Southwest

Stepping Up to

Researchat

Southwest

Define the task.

• What is my topic?

• What do I need to know?

• What are the key words?

• Is my topic too broad or too narrow?

Identify the information needed to do the task

Brainstorm all possible sources

• Where can I find the information?

• What resources can I use?

• What is available at Southwest? Try the online catalog!!!

Select the best sources

Locate sources • Is it on the shelf … where?

• Is it in a database … which one?

Find information within sources

• Is my topic in the index?

• Is this a good source?

Engage (read, hear, view or touch)

• Do I understand the information?

Take out needed information

• Have I answered my topic question?

• Do I need more information?

Cite your sources

Organize information from all sources

• i.e. Notes, outlines, graphic organizers.

• Summarize and use your own words

Create a product or performance

Judge the product or performance

• How do I think I did?

• What would I do differently next time?

Judge the process (efficiency)• How can I be more efficient?

Good Questions for Research

Good Questions for Research

Use these keywords:

• Why• What• Where• When• Who• How

Use these keywords:

• Why• What• Where• When• Who• How

Good Research Questions challenge you to higher levels of thinking.

Good Research Questions challenge you to higher levels of thinking.

• Compare• Judge• Justify• Hypothesize• Infer• Assess

• Compare• Judge• Justify• Hypothesize• Infer• Assess

• Rank• Distinguish• Contrast• Predict• Analyze• Defend

• Rank• Distinguish• Contrast• Predict• Analyze• Defend

Where Can I Find the Information I Need?

Where Can I Find the Information I Need?

Go to the Southwest Homepage• http://lsw.lps.org

Click on Media Center

Go to the Southwest Homepage• http://lsw.lps.org

Click on Media Center

Where to begin?Where to begin?

• A reference book?

• A database?

• An internet site designated by your teacher?

• An internet search?

• A reference book?

• A database?

• An internet site designated by your teacher?

• An internet search?

Databases? Research 101Databases? Research 101

Best Bets for HistoryABC-CLIO, Gale Virtual Reference Library, Discovering Collection, World Book Online

Best Bets for HistoryABC-CLIO, Gale Virtual Reference Library, Discovering Collection, World Book Online

Best Bets for GeographyABC-CLIO, CultureGrams, Country Reports,

CIA - The World Factbook, World Book Online

Best Bets for GeographyABC-CLIO, CultureGrams, Country Reports,

CIA - The World Factbook, World Book Online

Best Bets for BiographyBiography Reference Bank, Gale Student Resources,

Gale Virtual Reference, Discovering Collection

Best Bets for BiographyBiography Reference Bank, Gale Student Resources,

Gale Virtual Reference, Discovering Collection

Best Bets for LiteratureNoveList, Literature Resources,

NebraskAccess’ Fiction Connection, TeachingBooks.Net,

Online Catalogs

Best Bets for LiteratureNoveList, Literature Resources,

NebraskAccess’ Fiction Connection, TeachingBooks.Net,

Online Catalogs

Current EventsGale Student Resources, ABC-CLIO Issues

Use the Current Events on our Website!

Current EventsGale Student Resources, ABC-CLIO Issues

Use the Current Events on our Website!

Everything Else.Gale Science Resources, Opposing Viewpoints,

Points of View, Teen Health and Wellness!

Everything Else.Gale Science Resources, Opposing Viewpoints,

Points of View, Teen Health and Wellness!

When you have your information….

When you have your information….

• Record all the sources you use on documentation forms

• Log in and use NoodleTools to create your Works Cited

(you should set up your account at Southwest; no password is needed)

• Record all the sources you use on documentation forms

• Log in and use NoodleTools to create your Works Cited

(you should set up your account at Southwest; no password is needed)