What is Research?Ms. Ghio 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.c

omMost websites ending

in .eduKidsclick.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?