Rescue for the Researcher and Writer. The Research Process 1.Planning the project 2.Selecting / refining a topic 3.Finding sources 4.Evaluating your sources.

Rescue for the Rescue for the Researcher and WriterResearcher and Writer

The Research ProcessThe Research Process

1. Planning the project

2. Selecting / refining a topic

3. Finding sources

4. Evaluating your sources

5. Organizing your findings

6. Writing & revising

Time ManagementTime Management

Planning5%

Topic Selection5%

Topic focus15%

Gathering information

30%

Organizing your information

5%

Writing & revising40%

http:core.lib.purdue.edu/plan4.htm

Understanding Your Understanding Your AssignmentAssignment

Format of the project (research paper, oral presentation, design . . .)

Length Audience Assessment criteria Citation style (APA, MLA . . .)

Exploring Your TopicExploring Your Topic

Google Hint: ~sustainable development will search

for sustainable development and its

common synonyms

define: sustainable development will

search for definitions and links

•Brainstorm ideas for a topic•Come up with keywords

•Consider using broader & narrower terms

WebbingWebbing

Penn State University Libraries. (2005). Retrieved August 22, 2005, from http://www.libraries.psu.edu/instruction/infolit/andyou/mod1/idea3.htm

Thesis StatementThesis Statement

States the topic / main idea of the paper Shows the purpose of your paper Shows the direction of your argument Written in focused, specific language It is interesting

Looking for InformationLooking for Information

Check the library for: Books Periodicals Government documents Newspapers Videos Human expertise

Looking for InformationLooking for Information

Check the world wide web for: The Invisible Web (beyond google) Online databases Current information (online newspapers,

articles, studies. . .) The Library’s Best of the Web pages

Using & other Using & other General Search EnginesGeneral Search Engines

•Many web pages are free•Most web pages are commercial

•Anyone can create and publish a webpage

Information on the web is•Not highly organized

•Not always comprehensive•Not permanent

Evaluate your SourcesEvaluate your Sources

Accuracy Does the source seem correct? Do you need to

check the information with a second source? Currency

Is this source up to date? Objectivity

Is this source unnecessarily biased? Coverage

What is the purpose of this source? Authority

Who is the author / publisher of this source?

Going Beyond GoogleGoing Beyond Google

Holland College Library has licensed several databases that provide access to full text articles and

current information:

•Canadian Business & Current Affairs•ABI/INFORM•Academic Search Elite•Professional Development Collection•Vocational & Career Collection•Encyclopedia Britannica•Gale Health & Wellness

Taking NotesTaking Notes

Avoid plagiarism Read the information, think, then put what

you’ve read in your own words Avoid cutting and pasting Identify direct quotes Document your sources as you take notes

Create descriptive headings / subtopics

Use index cards or paper that can easily be reorganized

Keep the notes short Add personal

comments

Taking NotesTaking Notes

http://webster.commnet.edu/mla/notes.shtml

Creating an OutlineCreating an OutlineI. Introduction

A. Grab audience attentionB. State thesis

II. BodyA. Build pointsB. Develop ideasC. Support main claim

III. ConclusionA. Reemphasize main idea

www.owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/pp

Writing the Rough DraftWriting the Rough Draft

Introduction Be very clear about what the main idea is

Body Turn the key ideas in your outline into

paragraphs Conclusion

Sum up your thesis – show you have proven something

IntroductionIntroduction

8 ways to introduce your topic1. Background information2. Definition3. Story4. Question5. Quotation6. Contradiction7. Fact or statistic8. Surprising statement

Body of the PaperBody of the Paper

Topic sentence at the beginning of each paragraph

Supportive ideas follow the main idea With each new “big” idea, start a new

paragraph Sentences and paragraphs should be smooth

and logically connected

ConclusionConclusion

4 Ways to conclude your paper

1. Review key points and restate your thesis in a “new” way

2. Recommend a course of action

3. Make a prediction

4. End with a relevant quotation

Editing your Rough Editing your Rough DraftDraft

If time allows, set it aside for a day or so. Editing tools

Dictionary / spell check Thesaurus Grammar & punctuation handbook /

grammar check Red pen An editor

Writing the Final DraftWriting the Final Draft

Word processed is usually preferred Pay attention to appearance Read the paper out loud Don’t forget to credit your sources

Bibliography / works cited page Create a snappy title Keep a backup copy

If you have any questions or need help If you have any questions or need help with your researching and writing, with your researching and writing,

please contact us at please contact us at

Holland College Library Services.Holland College Library Services.

20092009

Holland College Library ServicesHolland College Library Services