THE RESEARCH PROCESS

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THE RESEARCH PROCESS

• Tips to get the best mark possible!

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The Overview

• Researching is like being a detective, an
  information detective, you will have to
• Follow clues
• Track down a variety of sources
• Narrow in on a topic
• Interesting
• Manageable
• Compile your data
• Take careful notes
• Record your sources
• Be selective, critical and organized
• Present your evidence
• Cite your sources

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Be an Information Detective locating in-depth
information

• You dont have to do it alone! Who can help?
• Teacher-librarians
• Public librarians
• Your teacher
• Homework help - VPL
• Want a great mark?
• Focus on variety
• Types of sources and
• Types of information

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Define Your Topic

• Start with an idea, then use
• A dictionary define your terms
• General background information from
  encyclopaedias
• Next skim scan
• Specialized reference materials
• Build an outline a game plan for your research
• Final goal
• Narrow down or expand your final topic
• Must be manageable

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The Virtual Library

• Online resources subscription services,
  databases, ebooks and more!
• Churchill Librarys Online Services brochure
• Vancouver Public Library free access with a
  library card
• Richmond Public Library too!

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Locating And Regurgitating the Information Just
Isnt Good Enough

• Be curious
• Ask questions
• Seek advice
• Think critically about the information
• Analyze and compare your sources data
• Beware of bias and untruths, even missing
  truths
• Thinking sideways can be helpful
• Summarize and paraphrase your own words

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WHAT IS PLAGIARISM?and how can you avoid it?
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FIRST STEPS FOR THIS PROJECT

• Prepare a written draft outline (10 marks)
• Decide on a preliminary topic write it down
• Define your topic by looking at general sources
  dictionaries, general encyclopaedias (online or
  print)
• Using both general specific sources write down
  a list of possible headings and subheadings for
  your topic (more is better)
• Record the sources that you use, author title
  is good enough for now
• Revise your topic to make it manageable, i.e.
  narrow it down or make it broader, depending
• Due next class
• DO NOT START YOUR NOTETAKING UNTIL YOU HAVE
  RECEIVED FURTHER INSTRUCTION!!!

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SAMPLE OUTLINE FOR OLSONS BRAIN

• Preliminary topic how does sleep deprivation
  affect people?
• Definitions
• deprivation
• sleep
• Ideas for headings and subheadings
• Physiological effects
• Brain
• Growth
• General health
• Causes
• Sleep disorders
• Symptoms
• Cures/remedies
• Modern medicine
• Alternative
• Herbs
• Acupuncture
• Refined topic sleep deprivation and adolescents

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Last, but not least! Work Habits in the Library

• All the regular school rules apply here too
• Be careful with the resources
• Use your time wisely
• Dont be afraid to ask for help
• Keep it fairly quiet, other students are
  studying, working and learning
• Keep it clean, no drinks without a sealable top
  no food