6. Doing the Research Ken A Nicky A Agnes A Jennifer E Edward A

6a What information to look for

6a-1 Single-fact information 6a-1 Single-fact information To answer specific factual questions. To answer specific factual questions. 6a-2 General information 6a-2 General information To provide an overview of a subject or a particular topic. To provide an overview of a subject or a particular topic. 6a-3 In-depth information 6a-3 In-depth information In-depth information be found in sources that a topic in detail. In-depth information be found in sources that a topic in detail.

6b Where to look for information

Ask your librarian about online databases.

Look up your topic in an outline encyclopedia.

Check the Library of Congress ’ s online catalog for books on your subject.

Consult Appendix B of this book for an annotated listing of reference sources. Please turn to our textbook p.229

Google is a good beginning.

Check the bibliography at the end of encyclopedia articles.

Search the computerized library catalog under the subject heading as well as any suggested cross listing. Search the computerized library catalog under the subject heading as well as any suggested cross listing.

Check Book Review Digest for summaries of reviewed book.

Check a standard dictionary or go to Dictionary. com

Check Who ’ s Who for information about noteworthy people.

Consult gazetteers and atlases

General indexes General indexes United States United States History History Custer ’ s Black Hills Expedition [Cover story] W. C. Patric. il Custer ’ s Black Hills Expedition [Cover story] W. C. Patric. il map por American History v38 no2 p34-42 Je 2003 map por American History v38 no2 p34-42 Je JFK ’ s Second Term [Excerpt from An Unfinished Life] R. JFK ’ s Second Term [Excerpt from An Unfinished Life] R. Dallek. Atlantic Monthly (1993) v291 no5 p58-61, 64-6 Je Dallek. Atlantic Monthly (1993) v291 no5 p58-61, 64-6 Je Capers, Tapers, &c. [30th anniversary of Watergate hearings] Capers, Tapers, &c. [30th anniversary of Watergate hearings] D. Frum. National Review v55 no11 p56 Je D. Frum. National Review v55 no11 p56 Je

Specialized indexes Specialized indexes: catalog information on specific subjects. Specialized indexes: catalog information on specific subjects. Different specific subjects have their own indexes Different specific subjects have their own indexes Choose the right index on your subject Choose the right index on your subject

Using interviews and surveys Interview is another important source of information. Interview is another important source of information. Expert is recognized as an authority in a particular subject. Expert is recognized as an authority in a particular subject. In addition, experts can be someone who has had a unique experience. In addition, experts can be someone who has had a unique experience.

You have to establish expert ’ s credentials You have to establish expert ’ s credentials to evidence he or she is an expert. to evidence he or she is an expert. Judge whether he or she is an expert on your topic or not. Judge whether he or she is an expert on your topic or not. Do not use the interview of experts and eyewitness only. Do not use the interview of experts and eyewitness only. Some research projects require surveys, especially in psychology and social sciences. Some research projects require surveys, especially in psychology and social sciences.

Corresponding by ing an expert and asking the right questions is an efficient way of getting information. ing an expert and asking the right questions is an efficient way of getting information. Be sure to identify yourself and your research project, and to ask specific, pointed question so that the expert knows what you ’ re getting at and can answer quickly. Be sure to identify yourself and your research project, and to ask specific, pointed question so that the expert knows what you ’ re getting at and can answer quickly.

Attending lectures, concerts, or art exhibits A famous lecturer, artist, or musician passing through your campus or town may be used as unique citation on your chosen topic. A famous lecturer, artist, or musician passing through your campus or town may be used as unique citation on your chosen topic. Whatever you do, don ’ t forget to make a bibliographic card linked to your notes so you can make accurate citation of the source when you write the paper. Whatever you do, don ’ t forget to make a bibliographic card linked to your notes so you can make accurate citation of the source when you write the paper.

6c Assembling a working bibliography

The process: The process: 3x5 card 3x5 card Name of authors Name of authors Title of work Title of work Facts of publication Facts of publication Pages of information Pages of information Location of source Location of source Library call number Library call number

6d Selecting your sources: Skimming

Here are some hints. Glance at the preface. Glance at the preface. That ’ s where the author usually recounts the major ideas. That ’ s where the author usually recounts the major ideas.

Look up the subject in the index of the book. Look up the subject in the index of the book. You can easily see where is your source on which page. You can easily see where is your source on which page.

Read the chapter headings. Read the chapter headings. Subheadings also can tell you the major ideas.

Read the first and last two sentences in paragraph. Read the first and last two sentences in paragraph. To find out what information it contains. To find out what information it contains.

Glance at the opening paragraph. Glance at the opening paragraph. The author ’ s thesis is stated in the first paragraph. The author ’ s thesis is stated in the first paragraph.

Glance at concluding paragraphs. Glance at concluding paragraphs. These final paragraphs sum up the major ideas. These final paragraphs sum up the major ideas.

Reading every fourth or fifth sentence. Reading every fourth or fifth sentence. To get a fair idea To get a fair idea

Primary and secondary sources

Primary sources are original writings by an author, documents, artifacts, laboratory experiments, other data that provide firsthand info. Primary sources are original writings by an author, documents, artifacts, laboratory experiments, other data that provide firsthand info.

Secondary sources are writings, speeches, or other document about a primary sources. Secondary sources are writings, speeches, or other document about a primary sources. Paper should consist of primary and secondary sources of evidence. Paper should consist of primary and secondary sources of evidence.

Evaluating sources

Choose sources that cover your particular subject in depth. Choose sources that cover your particular subject in depth. Choose only material that hits the proverbial nail on the head of your topic.

Recognize the point of view in sources.. Recognize the point of view in sources.. The title and opening paragraph reveal the writer ’ s point of view.

Verify one opinion against another. Verify one opinion against another. To check the opinion whether it is agreed with other experts.

Note the date of the evidence. Note the date of the evidence. In researching topics, you should seek the up-to- date data that is the most important.

Exercise your editorial judgment. Exercise your editorial judgment. Use your common sense and attention to evaluating the source of evidence.

Check your evaluations against those of professionals. Check your evaluations against those of professionals. Researcher should check the author whether he/she is qualified for giving you evaluation or not.

Beware of statistics. Beware of statistics. What the statistics we use are specific and concrete with credibility.

6e Note-taking

6e-1 Choosing the Number of Notes The paper demands: The paper demands: a. Your opinionated conclusions a. Your opinionated conclusions b. Evidence and other opinions supporting them b. Evidence and other opinions supporting them

6e-2 Formatting the Note Cards Use 4×6 cards Use 4×6 cards Write in ink Write in ink Write down only one idea on each card Write down only one idea on each card Identify the source of the note Identify the source of the note Jot down a general heading Jot down a general heading

6e-2 Formatting the Note Cards Fulop-Miller 3-10 Rasputin ’ s appearance The content of your notes …… sourcesGeneral heading 4 × 6 Cards

6e-3 Using the Computer to Take Notes Two approaches: a. Download material print it out highlight the passages b. Keep electronic sources in the computer organize them by files transfer quotations by the tool of copy and paste Attention please: 1.Well-organized sources in your computer! 2. How to keep track of your source?

Well-organized sources in your computer

6e-4 Using a Copy Machine to Take Notes Suggestions : Suggestions : Write down details about source immediately after copying it. Write down details about source immediately after copying it. Be neat about the pages you copy Be neat about the pages you copy Much easier !

6e-5 Kinds of Notes Four kinds of notes: Four kinds of notes: a. The summary a. The summary b. The paraphrase b. The paraphrase c. The quotation c. The quotation d. The personal comment d. The personal comment

a. The Summary Condensation of significant facts Condensation of significant facts Common sense should govern your use of summary Common sense should govern your use of summary (Figure 6-5 on Rasputin) (Figure 6-5 on Rasputin) b. The Paraphrase (most common form) The purposes of paraphrasing: The purposes of paraphrasing: It shows that you have mastered the material It shows that you have mastered the material It gives your paper a consistent style It gives your paper a consistent style (Figure 6-6 on Rasputin) (Figure 6-6 on Rasputin)

c. The quotation If the quotation contains a misspelled or other errors, reproduce it faithfully, placing beside it [sic] If the quotation contains a misspelled or other errors, reproduce it faithfully, placing beside it [sic] The rules to avoid overusing quotation: The rules to avoid overusing quotation: 1) Limit quoted material to no more than 10% of the total paper 2) Quote only when the authority of the writer is needed or when the material can ’ t be paraphrased or summarized d. The personal comment Your ideas & conjectures & conclusions Your ideas & conjectures & conclusions Stapling Stapling

Plagiarism and how to avoid it Plagiarism is the act of passing another ’ s words and ideas as your own. Plagiarism is the act of passing another ’ s words and ideas as your own.

To avoid plagiarism you have to do the following: Provide a note for any idea borrowed from another. Provide a note for any idea borrowed from another. Place quoted material in quotation marks. Place quoted material in quotation marks. Provide a bibliography entry at the end of the paper for every source used in the text or in a note. Provide a bibliography entry at the end of the paper for every source used in the text or in a note.

The following must be accompanied by a citation specifying author and source: Any idea derived from a known source. Any idea derived from a known source. Any fact or data borrowed from the work of another. Any fact or data borrowed from the work of another. Any especially clever or apt expression, whether or not it says something new, that is taken from someone else. Any especially clever or apt expression, whether or not it says something new, that is taken from someone else. Any material lifted verbatim from the work of another. Any material lifted verbatim from the work of another.

Any information that is paraphrased or summarized and then used in a research paper. Any information that is paraphrased or summarized and then used in a research paper.

Thank you for your listening