Conducting Research

How to conduct basic researchCreated by Ed Jessup MLS

Choosing your topic…

Is your topic too broad? Is your topic too narrow? Will your topic hold your attention?

Things to keep in mind when choosing a topic

Brainstorm

Do an informal search

Look in different sources for ideas…. Journals Magazines Online sources (such as databases) Reliable websites Specialized dictionaries or encyclopedias

Commit to a topic

After your informal research…

•Evaluate if the topic is manageable

•If the topic is manageable commit to it

•Begin to collect research on topic…

Create a “purpose” or

“thesis Statement”

Gives the purpose or reason for your research.

Gives structure to your paperTells the reader what you are researchingGives the focus of your research

Example of a “purpose” or

“thesis” Statement:

“Henry David Thoreau is considered a vital force within the transcendental movement and his frequent discussion of nature within his writings, Thoreau may also be considered a pioneer in environmentalism.”

Another Example of a

“purpose” or “thesis” Statement:

“Sometimes referred to as the new slavery, human trafficking is often spawned by poverty and corruption”

Finding reliable sources…

Evaluating proper resources

Trade Journals Magazines Respected newspapers Online sources (databases) Respected websites Audio/visual sources

Use a variety of resources and Formats

Books Journals Magazines News papers Online Databases Respected websites Multimedia (audio/visual)

What are RELIABLE resources???

Print sources such as up to date books, journals and credible magazines

Reliable websites such as government and organizational websites

Databases know for storing peer reviewed and credible publications

Multimedia clips from different media sources

Print Sources

Book, magazine or journal

*Check for Currency of source

*Check for latest edition (Books)

*Evaluate table of contents/index

*Author and publisher credentials

Databases

What subject areas does it cover? Are the articles and publications collegiate? Are the articles peer reviewed? Are the articles relevant? Are the articles current?

Websites

Is the website up to date? Is the source a reliable source? Is the website a government or respected

organizational website? Is the information in the

website current?

Multimedia

Is the information current? Is the source a valid and reliable source? Is the information fact or opinion based? Does the information work with

the goal of your paper?

Gathering information

As you gather resources:*Evaluate your information

*Create your work cited as you go alongResources can be removed or added as

necessary

Create an outline

Create a rough outline for your paper Plan you outline carefully Pull information from your sources and find

appropriate places for the information Make sure outline flows and

makes sense

Construct Draft

Use outline as map for paper Do not forget to cite sources Put aside unused sources Update works cited (bibliography) Revise

Final Draft

Proofread your paper Make corrections Make sure all work is cited Have a 2nd person proof read your paper Create final draft