Research Path
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The Research Path
Topic Selection
Do you understand the assignment? Your teacher may give you a list of possible topics or let you choose your own. Be sure you know your options.
Think of key words, synonyms or phrases to focus your search. A general encyclopedia might help.
Use 99 Jumpstarts to Research or the Sears Subject Headings books for ideas.
Try the Library of Congress Online Catalog or Topic-O-Rama
Is there a subject you're really interested in? Have you read or heard something that made you curious? Is there a topic that will help you choose a career? Are you passionate about an issue?
Ask Questions
Different types of questions to ask yourself.
What do I already know? What do I want to find out? How can I find what I need?
Write your thesis statement- Thesis Builder
Choose Your Sources- Keep Note Cards for Each One!
Reference Books, Books, Bibliographies BHS Online Catalog
Magazines, Newspapers- print or online
Videos, DVDs, CDs, CD-ROMs
Interviews
Databases BHS Media Center Research Page
Search engines, Directories
Survey/Questionnaire
Other sources: associations, organizations, clubs, businesses, banks, churches, government agencies (federal, state, local), hospitals, museums, zoos/wildlife sanctuaries
Evaluate Online Sources for Accuracy
Look for an author(s) & ways to contact them; the purpose- is it biased, is there a lot of advertising; content-age appropriate, is it current; organization- easy to search; technical aspects-links work, pictures/symbols appropriate
Go to urbanlegends.about.com or easywhois.com
Get Organized
Write different kinds of cards- direct quotes, paraphrases, summaries
Organize your note cards
Make an outline of the information you want to present- Notetaker
Rough Draft
Have a friend or classmate check your paper for errors or things they don't understand
Look at the corrections your teacher suggests.
Fix any problems before turning in the project.
DO NOT turn in a re-typed rough draft!
Cite Your Sources
If it's not something everybody knows or your own original creative thought, you must cite your source!
Are you supposed to use MLA or APA style? Slate Citation Machine or EasyBib will help.
Write Source MLA Site will explain the different types of resources.
Title the page correctly: Works Cited, Bibliography or References