Conducting Research Investigating Your Topic Copyright 2012, Lisa McNeilley

Four Stages of Research Preparing Conducting Taking Notes Using Research

Preparing to Research

Preparing A research project usually begins with a problem to be addressed questions to be answered information to be sought

Asking Research Questions Be specific and precise Identify core concepts Look for problems and controversies Consider topic from different angles Think about underlying concepts Think about questions a reader would have

Conducting Research

Use a variety of sources, on-line sources, print sources (journals and magazines), books, and reference materials. Begin with secondary sources Be familiar with your library database Use scholarly databases

Limiting Research Use keywords to direct your search. If you have too many sources limit your search by timeframe, type of source and specific keywords.

Your Sources Get more information by looking at the Index Table of Contents References or Bibliography Avoid dictionaries, encyclopedias, and Wikipedia at this point in your research. Avoid sources with extreme and obvious biases, unless you can balance them with other sources.

Taking Notes

Note the writers purpose and main idea(s). Take note of main arguments and claims and any ideas particularly related to your purpose. Write down any new ideas or questions you want to pursue.

Taking Notes, contd Write each idea on one index card and include: a heading in the form of a key word or phrase, the authors last name and the page number of the information (for use in citation in the paper), the type of card: Quote, Paraphrase, Question, or Own Idea.

Sample Note Card Keyword: Type of card: Author: ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________

Evaluate Sources Bias/Credentials Timeliness Relevance Scholarship/Accuracy

Read Critically Focus on the key idea or thesis Consider how text fits with your view Consider the authors motivation and purpose Reflect on the target audience Look for contradictions or omissions Look for patterns

Using Research

Using Sources You may want to use the ideas in a source in order to illustrate the point you are making provide support for your own ideas analyze the original authors assumptions or ideas propose an idea which you explain and support.

Paraphrase Make sure you understand the point the author is making Maintain the smooth flow of your paper Cite the source if the idea you are discussing is original to your source

Two Ways to Paraphrase Read over a section and then sum up the entire idea in your own words Look at the particular words and change them to fit your purpose while maintaining the meaning

Using Quotes Three or more words copied verbatim from a source Use quotation marks Cite the quote Block Quotes that are longer than four lines of text long

When to Use Quotes You want to analyze the wording or ideas of the author. You cannot paraphrase without losing the idea or flavor of the quote. You want to maintain the originals authors ideas because of the beauty of the wording or because your purpose is to analyze the words or ideas.

Incorporating Quotes into Your Paper Introduce the quote or idea. Explain the quote in your own words and tell how the quote fits your point. Make the quote fit into the flow of your sentence/ideas.

Introducing Quotes and Ideas The first time: use authors full name provide necessary credentials the name of the work. Subsequent references to the author should use the authors last name.

Reasons to Introduce Quotes Show where another writers ideas begin (documentation marks the end), Distinguish these ideas from your own, and Maintain a smooth flow in your paper.

Common Phrases to Introduce Source Material According to …; In the article, Title, by Author,…; The main point of Title is…; Author asserts/claims/ contends/ argues/ is correct/ is incorrect; This point is presented by Author when he/she says…; Author is effective/ineffective at presenting the idea that… because…;

Explaining Quotes Without an explanation, the reader can develop any interpretation, even one that is at odds with your intent. As a writer, ask yourself, What does that quote mean? Ask, How does it support my own point? Incorporate answers into your paper. You can use connecting words like the following: that is; in other words; the significance of this point is; significantly; this means/indicates that; this is relevant because; etc.

Using Your Own Ideas Your claims or arguments Conclusions you draw from the research you have done Your interpretation and explanation of research New connections you make or patterns you draw out from the material.

How to Present Your Ideas Generate a list of your claims and conclusions or connections you have drawn. Rewrite sentences that include I think or I feel, during. Offer valid and relevant support for any claims to make them valuable.

Using Personal Experience Use in informal writing. Check with your instructor. Make your experience relevant to your purpose. Assume a reader wont knowyou need to explain clearly. Make sure to establish your credibility or expertise.

Wrapping Up Use correct citation Construct a Works Cited or Reference Page Verify facts, numbers and names Revise and Edit Carefully