1. Conducting Research How to conduct basic research Created by Ed Jessup MLS

2. Choosing your topic… Is your topic too broad? Is your topic too narrow? Will your topic hold your attention? Things to keep in mind when choosing a topic

3. Brainstorm

4. Do an informal search Look in different sources for ideas…. Journals Magazines Online sources (such as databases) Reliable websites Specialized dictionaries or encyclopedias

5. Commit to a topic After your informal research… Evaluate if the topic is manageable If the topic is manageable commit to it Begin to collect research on topic…

6. Create a “purpose” or “thesis Statement” Gives the purpose or reason for your research. Gives structure to your paper Tells the reader what you are researching Gives the focus of your research

7. Example of a “purpose” or “thesis” Statement: “Henry David Thoreau is considered a vital force within the transcendental movement and his frequent discussion of nature within his writings, Thoreau may also be considered a pioneer in environmentalism.”

8. Another Example of a “purpose” or “thesis” Statement: “Sometimes referred to as the new slavery, human trafficking is often spawned by poverty and corruption”

9. Finding reliable sources…

10. Evaluating proper resources Trade Journals Magazines Respected newspapers Online sources (databases) Respected websites Audio/visual sources

11. Use a variety of resources and Formats Books Journals Magazines News papers Online Databases Respected websites Multimedia (audio/visual)

12. What are RELIABLE resources??? Print sources such as up to date books, journals and credible magazines Reliable websites such as government and organizational websites Databases know for storing peer reviewed and credible publications Multimedia clips from different media sources

13. Print Sources Book, magazine or journal *Check for Currency of source *Check for latest edition (Books) *Evaluate table of contents/index *Author and publisher credentials

14. Databases What subject areas does it cover? Are the articles and publications collegiate? Are the articles peer reviewed? Are the articles relevant? Are the articles current?

15. Websites Is the website up to date? Is the source a reliable source? Is the website a government or respected organizational website? Is the information in the website current?

16. Multimedia Is the information current? Is the source a valid and reliable source? Is the information fact or opinion based? Does the information work with the goal of your paper?

17. Gathering information As you gather resources: *Evaluate your information *Create your work cited as you go along Resources can be removed or added as necessary

18. Create an outline Create a rough outline for your paper Plan you outline carefully Pull information from your sources and find appropriate places for the information Make sure outline flows and makes sense

19. Construct Draft Use outline as map for paper Do not forget to cite sources Put aside unused sources Update works cited (bibliography) Revise

20. Final Draft Proofread your paper Make corrections Make sure all work is cited Have a 2 nd person proof read your paper Create final draft