Top Banner
RESEARCH BASED WRITING NOVEMBER 9, 2011 Jon Ritterbush & Ron Wirtz Calvin T. Ryan Library – University of Nebraska Kearney
15

Research based writing

Nov 17, 2014

Download

Education

Jon Ritterbush

A presentation for the National Day of Writing event at the University of Nebraska Kearney on November 9, 2011. Presenters: Jon Ritterbush and Ron Wirtz of UNK's Calvin T. Ryan Library.
Welcome message from author
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
Page 1: Research based writing

RESEARCH BASED WRITINGNOVEMBER 9, 2011

Jon Ritterbush & Ron WirtzCalvin T. Ryan Library – University of Nebraska Kearney

Page 2: Research based writing

Steps of the Research Process

STEP 1: Define a Topic STEP 2: Plan the Search STEP 3: Find Information STEP 4: Evaluate What is Found STEP 5: Cite Your Sources

Page 3: Research based writing

STEP 1: Define a Topic

Try stating the research topic as a question. For example:

“What is the effect of television violence on children?“

OR

Try defining the research topic as a thesis statement in one or two sentences. For example:

"Watching television with too much violence can have a negative impact on children.“

With a research topic question or statement in mind, planning a search strategy (Step 2) will be easier!

Page 4: Research based writing

STEP 1: Define a Topic

Choose a topic that is interesting and relevant to the assignment.

Choose a topic that is accessible to you. Choose a topic with an appropriate scope.  Here

are some ways to narrow a broad research topic: Population, ethnic or age group. A particular geographical area or environment.  A particular theory or approach. A methodology such as field experiments, research studies, or

naturalistic observations. A certain author, movement, or historical event.

Page 5: Research based writing

STEP 2: Plan the Search

Identify key words or concepts within your topic, and consider other similar terms that may be relevant.

If you're having trouble thinking of key words, ask a librarian for assistance!

Page 6: Research based writing

STEP 2: Plan the Search

These key words will be helpful in building sophisticated search queries.

Page 7: Research based writing

STEP 2: Plan the Search

Using "OR" will usually broaden or increase the number of search results.

Using "AND" to combine terms will usually narrow or decrease the number of search results.

Using an asterisk (*) at the end of a partial word will broaden or increase search results by including multiple word endings.

Page 8: Research based writing

STEP 3: Find Information

Having a well-defined research topic and a search plan can improve the quality of your research.

Knowing the right tools to use can expedite the research process.

Page 9: Research based writing

STEP 3: Find Information

Print Encyclopedias & Online Reference

ToolsGreat for background/

introductory info

Article Databases

Newspaper & magazine articles, peer-reviewed

journal articles

Library Catalog

Books, e-books, gov’t documents, videos

Internet search engines

Websites of gov’t agencies or non-profits; some free

online news sources; may link to UNK Library

resources*

Page 10: Research based writing

STEP 4: Evaluate What is Found

Evaluate your information using the CRAAP Test: Currency – Is this information up-to-date? Relevance – Does this source address your topic in

sufficient detail? Accuracy – How reliable and valid is this

information? Does the author list his/her sources? Authority – What are the author(s) qualifications?

Who produces this publication or hosts this website?

Purpose – Is the information presented objectively? *Modified version of CRAAP Test created by Meriam Library at California State University, Chico.

Page 11: Research based writing

STEP 5: Cite Your Sources

Plagiarism is a serious academic offense! When in doubt, you should always give credit where credit is due.“You are plagiarizing if you: Quote directly from a book or periodical without using quotation

marks and a note to indicate that the material is not yours. 

Paraphrase an author, sentence by sentence, without acknowledging the author as the source of the material. 

Use, without acknowledgement, an idea put forward by an author when you can’t find the same idea in two or more independent sources."1

 1. Badke, William B. (2004). Research Strategies: Finding Your Way through the Information Fog (pp.123). New York: iUniverse.

Page 12: Research based writing

STEP 5: Cite Your Sources

Common knowledge is factual information which requires no citation or verbal credit in the body of a research paper.

Examples of common knowledge include: The moon is 225,745 miles from the earth.

The Battle of Gettysburg was fought on July 1-3, 1863.

Mark Twain was the pen name of Samuel Langhorne Clemens.

Page 13: Research based writing

STEP 5: Cite Your Sources

Remember: UNK subscribes to SafeAssign, an online tool which assists faculty in screening papers for plagiarism.

To avoid plagiarism: Start your assignment early!

Note your sources during your research stage

Cite your sources in your writing

Citation and proofreading help is available at the UNK Writing Center in the Learning Commons (Library 2nd floor)

Page 14: Research based writing

For more research assistance…

Connect with a librarian at Ask Us 24/7 www.unk.edu/library/askus/

Find online research guides at:guides.library.unk.edu

See the Library Research Tutorial at bit.ly/kQZ3NN

Page 15: Research based writing

Q&A

Ron WirtzCoordinator of User [email protected]

Jon RitterbushE-Resources and Serials [email protected]