STARTING YOUR RESEARCH

Preparing to Write Your Research Paper

• A Research Paper is NOT…• A rearrangement or summary of information from different sources

• A report that could be included in a general encyclopedia

• A matter of cutting and pasting together from different resources

• A result of one quick Google search

A Research Paper is…

• Your own analysis of information discovered from academic resources

• A chance to demonstrate to others what you have learned, and express your thoughts on social issues in an organized, scholarly manner

Stages of Research:• Choosing and Narrowing a Topic• Gathering Material and Research• Keeping a Bibliography and Avoiding

Plagiarism• Integrating Sources: Direct Quotation,

Paraphrasing, Summarizing• Works Cited Page

Formulating a Research Question

• A successful research question will: – Narrow an issue related to pop culture down to a

manageable question for a 6-8 page paper.  – Be specific. – Invite discussion about the answer to the question.  

• Some poor research questions: • How does science fiction affect society?

• (Too broad… affect it HOW? And who is “society” referring to?)• What are some good science fiction movies?

• (“Good” is too subjective. What do you mean by “good”? And what is your purpose in ranking these movies? What does it say about a aspect of society/people?)

Research Question, cont.Improved Research questions: 1. Has science fiction historically been able to

comment on issues of sexism and homophobia in a unique way? What has science fiction contributed to the conversation about these topics?

2. What are some of the most significant real world scientific discoveries that have been inspired by science fiction films?

• Remember, your Research Paper Argument Proposal needs to have your research question at the top, followed by a discussion of why you chose this question and where you think you will go from here.

Rough Research Question• Brainstorm a rough research question(s) based on the topics you are interested in. • Make it specific• Avoid discussing “all society” or other vague phrases

• Now, ask yourself, why am I interested in this question? What observations or experiences have led me to ask this?

Ok, I have a research question. Now what?

• Take your research question home.

• Do some preliminary research/reading up on your topic.

• Scaffolding Exercise #1 counts, because it is analyzing a text critiquing some aspect of pop culture!

• Also ask yourself:• What knowledge/experience do you bring to the topic already? • What are issues you know you will need to explore/read about

further in order to find out what your claim is going to be?

• Then, start your research!

Suggestions for Beginning Research

• Make a list of terms and phrases that might get you good search results for your question. • For example, for my science fiction and homphobia/gay characters

question, I might make the following list: • Science fiction and prejudice• Sci-fi and sexism• Science fiction and prejudice• Science fiction and homophobia• Science fiction civil rights• Science fiction gay representation• Science fiction social justice

• Etc.

• Try different combinations of words that might get you results. If you don’t find what you want immediately, change your search terms and try again.

• Once you do find a source or two, see if there are any common phrases you might add to your list.

• Use quotation marks to find only those words in that order!

General Internet Research: Work with Caution• You can also get more accurate research on Google if

you learn to use Google’s filters on the side bar. (“News” is sometimes a useful filter)

• Also, you can search for scholarly articles by going to http://scholar.google.com. Keep in mind these may be too long/complex. But check it out anyway!

• Do not ever cite Wikipeida as a source. It is NOT considered a reliable or academic source. • If you absolutely cannot find the information anywhere else, you

may look at a Wikipedia entry for ONE PURPOSE ONLY: To use their citation system to find the ORIGINAL SOURCE of the information. When you see a number link in a wiki article, click and it will take you to a citation at the bottom of the page. You may use this to go to the original source.• If the claim or information is not cited, it cannot be fully

trusted. Do not use it, or search for it elsewhere.

So what are some Reputable Sources?

• Peer reviewed academic journals • find through library website

• Reputable websites and articles from reliable news sources, websites run by trustworthy organizations• Treat some websites with caution. The internet contains a wealth of information, but unless you know the credentials of the person posting the opinions/interpretations of a work, tread carefully. Come see me if you have any questions.

• Articles or Material from any of our library databases

Source Evaluation Questions

Which source would a reader find more credible? The New York Times http://answers.yahoo.com

Ask yourself the following questions to determine a source’s level of credibility:

When was the source published? What are author’s credentials? Who’s the intended audience? Is the argument balanced or does it show bias and

make unsupported claims, illogical conclusions, or inaccurate generalizations?

Lastly, what sorts of references does your source cite?

Is the Source Current?

• When was the information published or posted?

• Has the information been revised or updated?

• Is the information current or out-of date for your topic?

• Web sites: are the links functional?

• If there is a reference list, does it include up-to-date sources?

Is Your Source Current?

Relevance: The Importance of the Info to Your Needs

• Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?

• Who is the intended audience?

• Is the information at an appropriate level (i.e. not too elementary or advanced for your needs)?

• Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is one you will use?

RelevanceWhat audience might find this web site relevant? http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/autism/DS00348/

Authority: Who is the Source of the Info?

Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?

Are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations given? If yes, what are they?

What are the author's qualifications to write on the topic?

Is there contact information, such as an address, publisher or institution?

Web sites: does the URL reveal anything about the author or source? examples: .com .edu .gov .org .net

(See http://scc.losrios.edu/~library/tutorials/c/URLs/TLDs/ for an explanation.)

Authority

Accuracy: How Reliable, Truthful, or Correct is this Info?

• Where does the information come from?

• Is the information supported by evidence?

• Has the information been reviewed or refereed?

• Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge?

• Does the language or tone seem biased or free of emotion?

• Are there spelling, grammar, or other typographical errors?

Accuracy

Is information supported by evidence?

Purpose: Why does the information exist?

• What is the purpose of the information? to inform? teach? sell? entertain? persuade?

• Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?

• Is the information fact? opinion? propaganda?

• Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?

• Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases?

Purpose

What is the purpose of most .com websites?

Criteria for Evaluating Sources

Know your CRAAP!• Currency

• Relevance

• Authority

• Accuracy

• Purpose

The CRAAP test is adapted from the Meriam Library at California State University Chico.

BREAK TIME

Library Research• LAMC Library Resources are available from the lamission.edu main library webpage.

• Databases on the Library Website that will probably be useful are:

• ProQuest (articles from newspapers and magazines and journals worldwide)

• CQ Researcher (excellent in-depth coverage of a variety of topics)

• Opposing Viewpoints (clearly laid out information on both side of a variety of topics)

• Let’s try it out. Together we will search for some potential topics on these databases.

Doing Research on a Schedule• Don’t put it off until the last minute!

• It is an extremely bad idea to put off your research to the last minute.

• Research can help you narrow your topic• In fact, research can help you determine if the topic is even right for you!

• Set a schedule. • If you have a schedule-keeper or a calendar, you

might want to get it out and consult it as you put together this schedule for yourself. • If you don’t have a calendar or schedule keeper, I

highly suggest you get one! It’s an academic essential!

Keep Records as You Go!

• When gathering information from sources, be sure to cite your sources carefully (author, title, page numbers, publisher, publication date) and mention whether you are quoting the source word-for-word (direct quotation) or summarizing a source’s ideas in your own words.

• Build your Works Cited page as you research, DON’T leave it until the last.

Don’t Misrepresent a Source!Don’t misrepresent a quote or leave out important information.

Misquote: Crime is not as much of a problem as it was in the 1990s, and according to Dr. Smith, “Crime rates dropped to very low levels in 2010” (5).

Actual quote: “Crime rates dropped to very low levels in 2010, but steadily began climbing again a year later,” said Dr. Smith.

Integrating Your Sources

• Before each quote, you should introduce the information.

• After each quote, you need to explain the material to the reader and then provide a response.• By providing a response to the sourced

material, you are integrating the support into your argument.

• After your explain and response, CONNECT your point to what you will say next.

What should I be doing this week for the research paper?

• Read up on your research question/topic.• Start finding possible sources. Keep track of where you find them.

• Begin to notice common debates or themes in your sources. What are the big issues that show up over and over again as you research?

For Next Week:• Monday, 8/4: How to Write an Argument Proposal.

Due: ·         Pop Perspectives “Research and Writing on Popular Culture” p. 78-86·         The Little Penguin Handbook: “Doing Research” p. 80-90

• Tuesday, 8/5: Going Deeper with Your ResearchDue: ·         The Little Penguin Handbook: “Evaluating Sources” and “Integrating Sources and Avoiding Plagiarism” p. 92-108

• Wednesday, 8/6: Discuss Building a Strong Thesis. Discuss Planning Organization and Essay Structure. Due: ·         The Little Penguin Handbook “Writing Process” p. 9-16

• Thursday, 8/7: Discuss Planning and Writing a Rough Draft. In-Class Activities.Due: ·         Argument Proposal Due. Refer to the prompt for instructions and format. Bring one printed copy to class for activities and upload to TurnItIn.com.