We are going to learn about the following:

1.Research Topic 2.Focus Questions3.Topic Exploration4.Thesis Development5.Research6.Primary vs. Secondary7.Reliable vs. Unreliable Sources8.Note-taking9.Paraphrasing vs. Plagiarism10.Internal Citations11.Bibliography vs. Works Cited

RESEARCH PROCESS

Identify Research Topic.

Initially, your topic will be BROAD.

After informally researching your topic, NARROW in on a

specific topic.

Step 1: Identify TOPIC

Before you begin your informal research, formulate a list of questions regarding your topic.

These questions will be general and will guide your initial research.

For example, if your topic is Walter Dean Myers, what questions would you generate before research?

Who is Walter Dean Myers?

When and Where did he live?

Why is he well-known?

What difference has he made in our world?

How does he compare to other writers?

Step 2: Develop FOCUS QUESTIONS

Now that you have generated a list of questions regarding your topic, use these questions to guide your initial research and explore your topic.

The best place to start is on the Internet.

There are several free search engines that your teachers recommend:

Ask for Kids-askforkids.com

Yahooligans-yahooligans.com

Fact Monster-factmonster.com

FirstGov for Kids-kids.gov

ThinkQuest Library-thinkquest.org/library

Google for Kids-google.com/Top/Kids_and_Teens

Step 3: TOPIC EXPLORATION

Other Online Sources

Online DictionariesDictionary.com

Wordcentral.comOnelook.com

Alphadictionary.comThefreedictionary.com

Yourdictionary.com

Online EncyclopediasEncyclopedia.com

Encarta.comBritannica.comReference.com

How to Search for Information

Search Skills

KeywordsLinks from home page

Limiting terms (scan for unique words to search for)Expanding terms

SynonymsCross referencing

Considering the source – evaluating for bias Choosing from a list of sites – check the publisher

and the web address for clues, avoid the blue ones, read the abstract, Advanced search

Step 4: Narrow Topic

Now that you have done a general scan of what information is out there on your topic, you will now narrow your broad topic by creating an essential question that focuses on one aspect of your

topic.

By creating an essential question, you will be able to direct your course of research.

Essential Question

Essential questions are powerful, directive and commit students to the process of critical thinking through inquiry.

Ultimately, the answer to the essential question will require that students craft a response that involves knowledge construction.

This new knowledge building occurs through the integration of discrete pieces of information obtained during the research

process.

Answers to essential questions are a direct measure of student understanding; there is not a right or wrong answer as long as you support your answer with evidence found throughout the

research process.

Examples of Essential Questions

Is it acceptable to clone human beings? (Decision-making)

What invention of the 20th Century has had the greatest impact? Justify your response

(Decision-making).

Who was the greatest home run hitter in baseball history? (Decision-making)

Which credit card is best for me? (Decision-making).

What plan could be developed to reduce the impact of zebra mussels on the Great Lakes ecosystem?

What is the best plan for losing 20 pounds? Your plan can include 3 strategies. (Developing an action plan)

What plan could I use to prepare for a 5K run? The plan can include 2 strategies.

(Developing an action plan)

A thesis statement is a statement found toward the end of your introductory paragraph that states the focus of your essay OR it is a

statement that summarizes your research focus.

For instance, when you wrote your argumentative essay, your position statement was your thesis statement.

Example:The life of the typical college student is characterized by time spent studying, attending class, and socializing with peers.

Once you have your thesis statement, this statement organizes your essay OR focuses your research.

Step 5: Develop Thesis

Now that you have an essential question and thesis statement that focuses your research, you will begin formal research.

Your goal during the formal research process is to seek to find information that will help you discover and develop an answer to your

essential question.

You are not limited to finding information online; there are other ways of obtaining information, too.

Where and how can you gather information?Mrs. Dangar will help us!

Let’s visit the media center for more information!

Step 6: Formal RESEARCH

Primary vs. Secondary SourcesPrimary Sources: a first-hand, original account, record, or evidence about a person, place, object, or an event. Oral histories, objects, photographs, and documents such as newspapers, ledgers, census records, diaries, journals, and inventories, are primary sources. Interviews are great primary sources, too!

Secondary Sources: a second-hand account of an event, person, or topic. Secondary sources offer different perspectives, analysis, and conclusions of these accounts. Examples include journal and magazine articles, news reports, encyclopedias, textbooks, and books.

SOURCES

Paraphrasing First, read information!

Next, cover the information so that you cannot see it!Finally, restate the information in your own words!

Figure it out or leave it out!

Make notes on your note sheets provided when you find facts or quotes that you’d like to use. – Be sure to

include the source of the information so you can cite it and return to it later.

Step 7: NOTE-TAKING

1.Take notes in your own words. 2.NEVER “copy and paste” sentences or

paragraphs from any source. 3.Put quotation marks around someone’s

exact words if you copy them directly into your paper or project.

4.Cite all of your sources, which allow the reader to know where you got your facts, ideas, and quotes.

AVOID PLAGIARISM

After you find all of your information, you must create a bibliography or a list that shows where you got all

your information. You must always give five main pieces of information about

any source you use

The author or authors__________________________________The title of the book, article, or

Website____________________Where it was published_________________________________Who published it______________________________________When it was published (or when you found it on a Web

site)_____

Step 8: BIBLIOGRAPHY

Sample Bibliography

Allen, Barrie. “Come to Australia.” Internet:

<http://www.SydneyTouristBoard.au> April 28, 2006.

Angel, Jesse. Island Country. New York: Gy Landers, Inc., 2007.

Connell, Jayne. Life Down Under. New York: Redman Publications, 2003.

Feinblatt, Arnold. Pacific Nation. Denver: Arlene Books, 2005.

Konikowski, Maggie. “Australia: Land of Beauty.” Travel Lover’s Magazine.

August, 2006: 16-19.

*Take note that these sources are listed in alphabetical order. Also, you must indent the second line in each citation if applicable.

Works Cited Page

If you use direct or internal citations in your essay or project, then you will need to create a Works Cited Page!

When a quotation or paraphrase is taken from a primary or secondary source and used directly in your essay or presentation, this is known as an internal citation.

For example:Wordsworth stated that Romantic poetry was marked by a "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (263). (Quotation)

Romantic poetry is characterized by the "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (Wordsworth 263). (Quotation)

Wordsworth extensively explored the role of emotion in the creative process (263). (Paraphrase)

INTERNAL CITATIONS

Internal Citations Continued

Both citations in the examples, (263) and (Wordsworth, 263), tell readers that the information in the sentence

can be located on page 263 of a work by an author named Wordsworth.

If readers want more information about this source, they can turn to the Works Cited page, where, under the name of Wordsworth, they would find the following information:

Wordsworth, William. Lyrical Ballads. London: Oxford U.P.,

1967. Print.

For more information, go to http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/02/