The Research Wave

Original copy from Lee FitzGerald, Loreto Kirribilli,. Adapted by Seacliff COS TL group, November 2011.

The Research Wave When you start a research task, you are at the

beginning of a journey.

This is a journey you will repeat many times in your life at school and work.

It’s not a simple journey and we can liken it to surfing waves at the beach, as you paddle out to sea, manage the dumpers and catching a wave in to shore.

The Research Wave: Initiation Research can be

likened to the progress of a wave. In its beginning, a wave is a gentle ripple. It’s flow is weak.

In the Initiation stage of a research assignment, you may feel uncertain, a bit lost, unsure of the path you might take. http://www.flickr.com/photos/waltstoneburner/2853028

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The Research Wave: Selection This is the peaceful

and happy part of the ocean.

You browse some shallows and get surface information on a few topics to help you choose the one you want.

Use preliminary searching – broad not deep.

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The Research Wave: Exploration As you swim further

into the ocean, the swell of the waves increases.

You’ve chosen your area of interest, but as you search for information, you find there’s lots of it!

Use Exploratory searching – Wide not deep!

You are trying to establish the scope of the topic.

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The Research Wave: Exploration You may even be dumped

by a big wave, tumbled over, unsure of what lies beneath it –

THE DIP! At this stage of the

research process it is completely normal to get ‘dumped’ and fall into the dip – to feel confused and overwhelmed!

This is where you should definitely ask your teacher librarian and teacher for help!

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The Research Wave: Formulation It is only after you have

researched widely, been dumped and swum to the surface that you feel strong and confident.

In the process, you see the wave you want to catch and begin to paddle. You are working through the process of formulating your enquiry (focus) question and supporting (contributing) questions.

After this, you begin to feel you can catch the wave. You feel confident and focused.

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The Research Wave: Collection You have caught

your wave and are in control.

You are now in charge of the information.

You are sorting it, analysing it, shaping it to answer your question.

Use and adjust your notetaking forms

Keep bibliographic (referencing) details

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The Research Wave: Presentation Finally, as you

approach the shore you may be faced with choices.....which way will you surf to the shore?

How can I shape all my information into an argument?

Summary searching: Go back and check you’ve covered all the angles

How will I present my work?

Have I included a bibliography?

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The Research Wave: Assessment You’ve successfully

caught your wave all the way into the shore!

You are peaceful and calm with yourself.

Or maybe, there’s a part of your surfing technique that you need to fix for next time......

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