The Research Process

The Research Process

narrow topic

researchquestion

sources

note taking

outlining

main idea statement

How can you find the information you need?

You can find information from many different sources if you know the right places to look.

Finding Sources

A source of information is anything that gives useful information on your research topic. There are many different types of sources available to you, such as:

• photographs

• books

• magazines• experts• Web pages• audio or video recordings• newspapers

• maps

Types of sources

As a researcher, you need to know where to look to find good sources of information.

Your local public library is a great place to start.

Locating sources

Search engines are like card catalogues for the Internet. They guide you to onlineresources available for your topic.

The search engine then locates Web pages that contain your keywords and lists the results along with links to each page.

When you use a search engine, you type in keywords about your topic.

Locating sourcesSearch engines

Tech Tool: Google

Google is a popular and powerful search engine. You are probably already familiar with how to use it.

There are many other search engines you should also be familiar with. Each offers unique features.

Tech Tool: Answers.com

Answers.com might be a good place to begin your research.

This search engine displays information from almanacs, dictionaries, and encyclopedias.

Tech Tool: Snap

Snap has search results down the left side. Tech Tool: America’s Story

On the right, a preview window shows what each site looks like. This preview may help you decide whether the site contains the information you want.

Locating sources Online databases

Another online source you might find helpful is:

• www.whyfiles.org scientific information on a variety of topics that are currently in the news

You will want to keep track of the sources you use in your research for two main reasons:

• As you write, you might need to go back to a source to check your information.

• Other people might want to see the sources that you use in your research.

Capturing your Sources

Otherwise, you’ll find yourself frustrated—like this student, who needs to return to one of her sources but can’t remember where she found it.

When you find a valuable source, you should record information about it so that you can find it again if necessary.

It takes time to find good sources of information.

Where did I get this

information?

Making a source list

A source list is a place to keep track of the sources of information that you think you might use.

This list will change as you work. If you find a new and useful source, you will add it to your list. You might also decide not to use a source and remove it from your list.


You can create your source list on notebook paper, in a document on your computer, or by writing each source down on a separate notecard.

1.Record information that tells you who wrote and published each source and when.

2.Give each source a number. (You’ll use this later.)

To create a source list:


1. Thornton, Kim C. The Everything Labrador Retriever Book. Avon: Adams Media, 2004.

The information for each type of source—book, newspaper article, Web site, and so on—must be recorded in a specific way on your source list.

To cite a book, give the name of the author, the title, the city where the book was published, the publisher’s name, and the year the book was published.


Thornton, Kim C. The Everything Labrador Retriever Book. Avon: Adams Media, 2004.

For a magazine article, you need the author, the title, the name of the magazine, the date it was published, and the page numbers.


Brookhiser, Richard. "Where It All Began." Time for Kids 4 May 2007: 4-6.

For a Web site, you need the author’s name, the title of the Web page, the date it was published or last updated, the date you viewed it, and its URL.

Hoadley, Rick. "How Do Magnets Work?" Magnet Man. 16 Sept. 2006. 28 June 2008 <http://www.coolmagnetman.com/maghow.htm>.


You will continue to use your source list throughout the research process:

Preparing the Works Cited list isn’t difficult. Delete the numbers on your source list. Then cut and paste, or rewrite, the listings in alphabetical order.

A Works Cited list is an alphabetical listing of all the sources you used in your work.

to create your Works Cited list

while you are drafting your document

during note taking

Preparing a Works Cited list

You include a Works Cited list for two important reasons:

1.To make it simple for someone else to find a source that you used. Your reader might want to know more about your topic after reading your project.

2.To give credit to all of the people whose ideas you used in your work. If you don’t do this, you are claiming that all the ideas in your work are your own. This is called plagiarism.

Preparing a Works Cited list

Note-taking and OutliningThe next steps in the research process are note-taking and outlining.

narrow topic

researchquestion

sources

note taking

outlining

main idea statement

When taking notes you may decide to record quotes word for word or you may choose to paraphrase.

Note-taking

While you are reading you should take notes on any information that you believe is related to your experiment.

Make sure you record the source as you

work so you can cite your information while writing!

Create an outline by going through your notes and dividing them into general categories. Those general categories will be the highest levels of your outline and will later turn into paragraphs.

Organizing Information

Now that you have collected information on your topic, it is time to organize that information so that it can be the most useful to you.

I. Exercise and physical health A. Strengthens heart and lungs

1. Building the muscle increases energy level

2. Muscle health leads to longer lifespan

• The Roman Numerals I, II, III… are used to indicate the highest levels of information.

• Underneath them the letters A, B, and C are used.

• If a detail in A, B, C etc. requires further explanation we use the numbers 1, 2, 3…

Outlining

Use the outline I have provided you with to help you organize your notes.




DraftingThe next step in the research process is drafting. It is the step that brings the pieces of the research puzzle together.

narrow topic

researchquestion

sources

note taking

outlining

main idea statement

Creating a draft means using your notes and outline to form well-organized paragraphs in which you present your research to your audience.

Moving from notes to draft

Whatever the form of your final research project—paper, presentation, podcast, Web site—you must start by getting your ideas down on paper.

Would you like to strengthen your heart and lungs, prevent diabetes and cancer, improve your emotional well-being, and potentially increase your lifespan? Recent studies in the United States confirm that including cardiovascular exercise in a daily exercise routine can do all of those things. Cardiovascular exercise is an important investment that benefits overall health.

Would you like to strengthen your heart and lungs, prevent diabetes and cancer, improve your emotional well-being, and potentially increase your lifespan? Recent studies in the United States confirm that including cardiovascular exercise in a daily exercise routine can do all of those things. Cardiovascular exercise is an important investment that benefits overall health.


Begin with an introduction that will capture your reader’s attention and communicate your main idea statement.

attention-

getting opening

main idea statement

Cardiovascular exercise can improve physical health in many ways.


Next, you’ll write the body of your paper. Write the first heading from your outline in sentence form.

Then write your first supporting point.







II. Exercise and physical health A. Strengthens heart and lungs



Cardiovascular exercise can improve physical health in many ways. Cardiovascular exercise can improve physical health in many ways. Most important, it strengthens the heart and lungs.

Cardiovascular exercise can improve physical health in many ways. Most important, it strengthens the heart and lungs. The heart is a muscle that beats continually to circulate blood all over your body. Exercise builds the heart muscle by allowing it to work more effectively and to work longer.

Cardiovascular exercise can improve physical health in many ways. Most important, it strengthens the heart and lungs. The heart is a muscle that beats continually to circulate blood all over your body. Exercise builds the heart muscle by allowing it to work more effectively and to work longer.

Next, elaborate on your supporting point by explaining, adding details, or giving an example.


Continue in this way with all the supporting points for the first heading on your outline.

Exercise builds the heart muscle by allowing it to work more effectively and to work longer. This can increase a person’s energy level and lifespan, according to Jacquelyn McClelland, author of Give Your Heart a Healthy Beat.




When you use an author’s ideas or exact words, give credit to that author by including the author’s name and the source in which you found the information.


author’s ideas

author’s name

source

Start a new paragraph for each heading (each Roman numeral) in your outline. This will help you stay organized.


When you have covered each heading, write a conclusion to wrap up your paper and give your final thoughts.

According to a recent study by the International Health, Racquet and Sports Club Association, approximately 50% of Americans don’t get enough exercise. With the physical and emotional benefits that cardiovascular exercise bring, more Americans need to get off the couch and get moving.

You might summarize your main points or state the importance of what you wrote.

Completing your draft is just the beginning.

Revising your draft

It means taking a serious look at your ideas and how you present them.

The next step is to revise and edit your work.

Revision is more than fixing small mistakes.

Documents

The Research Process