Independent Study/Research The computer has opened a variety of exciting avenues for research in cyberspace. With the help of the computer, it is much easier for (vocational) high school students in Taiwan to begin their adventure in independent study/research. Pearl Yang

Kinds of Research Pure research Academic research Applied research Business research Market research

A Library Paper Look for facts, record them, and then hand in a composite of what a student has found. If a student merely compiled information without making evaluations or interpreting it, he or she is actually preparing a report.

Documented Paper/Report A student finds and records information and presents it without including his or her own evaluation, interpretation, or ideas.

Research Process Searching for information in print, non- print, and electronic sources  Synthesizing what is learned with original ideas and interpretations  Organizing the whole  Writing and revising

A Research Paper Synthesize discoveries about a topic and a student ’ s judgment, interpretation, and evaluation of those discoveries. Show a student ’ s originality. Acknowledge all sources a student has used.

Five Steps to a Research Paper 1. Choosing the topic 2. Collecting information 3. Evaluating materials 4. Organizing ideas 5. Writing the paper

Choosing the Topic Three kinds of assignment to write a research paper: Assigned topics Field-of-study topics Free-choice topics

Which Topics to Be Avoided Do not choose a topic that is too broad for a research paper. Any topic that is the title of a book or a subject in a database may be a good starting place, but a student must go on to the second step — to narrow the topic.

Avoid a topic that has been particularly popular among students unless he or she is interested in it or has a lot to say about that topic. Do not choose a topic unsuited to audience.

Qualities of a Good Topic 1. The topic interests a student enough to work on it. 2. The topic will teach a student something. 3. Enough information on the topic is available to a student. 4. The topic is of manageable scope. 5. A student can bring something to the topic.

6. The topic is suitable for audience. 7. The topic is not too hard to explore. 8. The topic lets a student demonstrate all his or her abilities that a research paper is meant to show.

Interesting Topics Topics attracting high school students: Faulty Signs Vanity Plates Body Languages Exotic Food Interesting cultural differences between …

Group Work or Individual Work? For vocational high school students, group work will be better. A group of 4? A group of 5? A group of 6?

Length of the Paper How many words will be suitable for vocational high school students? words words words

An Example (from St. John ’ s University) A Study of the Character Growth of Scarlett in Gone with the Wind Team members : …………….. Advisor : Mr… or Ms……… Advisor : Mr… or Ms………

Table of Contents Table of Contents Introduction Introduction American Civil War American Civil War The First Marriage of Scarlett The First Marriage of Scarlett Back to Tara Back to Tara The Second Marriage of Scarlett The Second Marriage of Scarlett The Third Marriage of Scarlett The Third Marriage of Scarlett The Death of Bonnie The Death of Bonnie Conclusion Conclusion

I sincerely invite you to join members of the English Counseling Group for Taipei Vocational Schools, in brainstorming to come up with effective ways of teaching. Your participation will create a new era in English teaching in Taiwan.

Thank you for your attention!