Research

What you’re looking for…..  Facts  Information that relates to your topic

What you’re not looking for…..  Opinions  Information that is meant to entertain (for fun)

Trusted sources for information  The databases Mrs. Collazo will tell you about in the library  Non-fiction books out of the library  Information from university websites

Sources you should not trust…..  Wikipedia  Google  Facebook  Fiction books in the library

What must I use?  At least 3 database sources for PAP and 2 database sources for academic classes (articles you have found using the databases)  At least 1 non-fiction book  A total of 4 sources for PAP  A total of 3 sources for academic classes

A research plan You have your topic, now you need to figure out what it is you want to know about it. -Generate 4 questions pertaining to your topic. These questions will be the stems for your research. Make sure your questions allow for detailed answers. -You will build your research from your questions by looking through the databases and books for answers. Again, make sure you are able to get detailed and in depth answers; not one or two word answers.

Taking Notes  Write your main questions on the pink sheet of paper I provided you. These will also be written on an envelope and affixed to your folder that I will provide you. This folder will be your lifeline throughout this research process, and will be turned in on 10/28.  Come up with at least 7 more sub-question you want answered about your topic  Write those questions on a separate sheet of notebook paper or note cards (preferred)  As you find answers to your questions, write them down on your paper or note cards (preferred.) You will file the note cards in the pockets of the folder that I have provided.  Make sure you have written the source you obtained your information from on the back of the note card. You will need this for your bibliography page.

Taking Notes  Information needed for bibliography page, and must be on the back of note cards: title, author, and source (where you found the article, unless it’s a book) for each question you answered.  Remember you must have at least four sources!!

Summarize and Paraphrase  Write just the main ideas of information you have found in your own words

Plagiarizing  This happens when you copy something from someone else’s writing and put it in your writing  This happens when you copy and paste or copy something down word for word  This is considered stealing and is a very serious offense!!

Plagiarizing  If you want to use a writer’s exact words, put them in quotation marks and identify the source.

Outlining Your Report  An outline is a plan for your report and shows how you are grouping the information you have gathered and the order in which you will present the information in your report.  You will do this by listing major subtopics or categories of information related to your topic.

Outlines Where cats live -in people’s house -they sleep in cozy beds -they don’t like to be wet What cats look like -cute -furry -similar to lions What cats do -play -eat -sleep How cats get along with people -they let you know when they want to play -they will let you know when they want to cuddle -they will let you know when they want to be picked up

Main Idea Statement  Identify the major points in your outline  Combine the major points in a single sentence This will be your main idea statement!!

Your Research Report Introduction -Attention-getting beginning -Main idea statement Body -Heading with at least one fact -Heading with at least two facts -and so on….. Conclusion -Restatement of your main idea List of Sources or Bibliography -Must be alphabetized by author and include what database in which you found it