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In-text/Parenthetical Documentation
Research Process
Pre-Research Planning - 2 parts: Analyze and Brainstorm
Analyze the Assignment - taking time to get your bearings...where are you? and where do you need to go?
What is your information need?
Who is your audience?
What type of paper are you writing?
Define the task (review timeline and requirements).
Brainstorm - choosing a topic can be stressful...relax and read broadly on a few subjects
Choose a topic.
Read broadly on the topic (encyclopedias).
What do I know? What do I need to know?
What are your essential (focus) questions? (who? what? where? why? when? and how?)
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Research - 3 parts: Identify and Locate, Gather and Organize, and Select and Synthesize
Identify and Locate Resources - seeking resources...what's available?
Identify keywords, subject headings, and Dewey call #s.
Identify types of resources - general, primary and secondary
Locate resources - encyclopedias, reference collection, nonfiction collection, online databases, e-books, websites.
Preliminary evaluation of sources - keep or discard.
Gather and Organize Information - stay focused on your essential questions
Read and evaluate information - keep or discard.
Begin note-taking - focus on your essential questions.
Write down BIG IDEAS - focus on your essential questions.
Categorize your information - Facts; Ideas and Opinions; Other.
Create a preliminary outline, idea map, etc. (pre-writing).
Select and Synthesize Information - your essential questions will pull it all together...this can be stressful...hang in there!
Continue to select and reject information.
Does the information answer your essential questions? (revise your essential questions)
What is your thesis statement? (review your essential questions).
Do you have enough facts to justify your argument?
Create an outline, idea map, etc.
Do you have enough informtion to begin your rough draft?
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Post-Research - 3 parts: Create, Cite your Sources and Evaluate
Create - time to start writing
Begin writing your rough draft/final paper (writing everything down...you can edit later).
Prepare your presentation.
Cite your sources - it pays to be organized...hopefully you were!
Did you properly cite all your sources?
Did you use in-text/parenthetical citations?
Evaluate - so....how did you do?
Did you answer your essential questions?
Did you prove your thesis?
Did you meet the research project requirements?
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In compiling this guide, the following titles have been referenced.
“A+ Research and Writing Links.” 2008. Internet Public Library. February, 2008. http://www.ipl.org/div/aplus/linkscommon.htm
Chastain, Emma. How to Write a Research Paper. New York: Sparks Publishing, 2006.
DeSena, Laura H. Preventing Plagiarism: Tips and Techniques. Illinois: National Council of Teachers of English, 2007.
“How to Write a Thesis Statement.” 2008. Indiana University. February, 2008. http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets.shtml
“Note-taking Skills” 2008. Sweet Briar College. February, 2008. http://social.chass.ncsu.edu/slatta/hi216/takenotes.htm
“OWL at Purdue – Online Writing Lab.” 2008. Purdue University. February, 2008. http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/
“Research Guide.” 2003. Springfield Township High School: Virtual Library. February, 2008. http://www.sdst.org/rguide/
“Research Guide Tip Sheets.” 2008. Cambridge Rindge & Latin School. February, 2008. http://www.crlsresearchguide.org/Research_Tip_Sheets.asp
“The Research Process.” 2008. Roseburg School District. February, 2008. http://www.roseburg.k12.or.us/RHS/library/pdfpage/researchprocess.html
“The Thesis Statement.” 2008. University of Richmond Writing Center. February, 2008.http://writing2.richmond.edu/writing/wweb/thesis.html
“Writing Research Papers.” Central Bucks School District. February, 2008. http://www.cbsd.org/curriculum/standards/research/index.html
