1. Starting a Project: Research Tips
PROJECTS
Starting a Project: Research Tips

2. What Do I Want to Know? Start with a mind map or spider diagram
What is my topic?
Put that in the middle
Then fill in the legs with keywords
What do I already know?
What are the keywords for this topic?
Who, what, where, when and how questions might help you think of keywords

3. Information Gathering
How will I search for information?
What sources will I use?
Books, encyclopaedias, the Internet
Look at the Contents page and the Index of books
Think about your search terms for Google
Where will I find my sources?
The school library
Public libraries
Home

4. Choosing the Right Source (1)
How do I know this is the right book/ website for me?
Do I understand what I’m reading?
Books designed for S1/S2 pupils usually have more pictures and have information displayed in text boxes which makes the information easier to read.
Look at a page of information
If there are more than five words on the page that you don’t understand then you need to choose something more straightforward

5. Choosing the Right Source (2)
Is the information relevant to my topic?
Can you see any of your keywords in the text?
Is the text helping you to learn more about your topic?
Is the information credible?
Can you trust this information?
Have you found similar information from another source?
If not, then leave aside or check again

6. Note Taking (1) To be a good researcher involves:
Reading a text – asking questions
What is this about?
What do I need to remember?
Understanding the text
If you don’t understand the text, then look for an alternative
Do I really need this information?
Staying on task

7. Note Taking (2) How do I make notes?
Read the passage of information right through
Check you understand it
Decide which are the important points
Make bullet points of the main ideas as you go along
Don’t overload yourself with too much information
Note your sources as you go!

8. Note Taking (3) Now go back to your spider diagram or keywords
Have you got notes for each of your keywords?
If you have, then sort your notes according to which keyword they come under (Some people find it helpful to have a separate sheet of notes for each keyword)
Do you have enough information?
If not then go back to your texts or find another source to use
If you think you have enough then you’re ready to write up your notes

9. Writing Up an Essay or Project (1)
You’ve finished your research, you’re now ready to write up your notes.
Put away the original sources
Refer only to your notes
Use your own words
Write in sentences
Don’t forget your bibliography!

10. Writing Up an Essay or Project (2)
Final steps:
Print off your essay
Now proof read your essay
Spellcheckers don’t pick up every spelling error and sometimes substitute the wrong word
Does the essay/ project read well
Is it in the correct order
Add your bibliography or source list

11. Bibliography or Source List
Now you’re finished, add your bibliography or source list in the format as shown below:
Books:
Acred, C (ed), Eating Disorders, Independence, 2013
Firth, L (ed), Understanding Eating Disorders, Independence, 2010
Warbrick, C, Eating Disorders and Body Image, Wayland, 2008
Websites:

12. Plagiarism Plagiarism is
Stealing or borrowing from the writings or ideas of someone else without permission From: Chambers School Dictionary, Chambers Harrap, 2009
Includes
Copying from books
Copying and pasting from the Internet
Pictures or graphs
You must credit the author of anything that you include in your essay/project that is not your original work.