Scholarly Paper An Overview of the Process
Remember this is due on Thursday, November 5 th !
#1 Get a library card! 0 Needed for access to research databases 0 Think you have one? 0 Go to sno-isle.org/getacard and use the account lookup tool 0 Know you don’t? 0 If you’re under 18, you need to bring a minor’s consent form (signed) to the customer service desk Arlington Public Library 135 N Washington Ave, Arlington WA
TIP: Keep Everything! You must have evidence of your process Can get you out of plagiarism hot water You may need the information later (MLA format, baby)
Do try to stay organized.
#2 Generate a list of topics 0 Consider... 0 Hobbies 0 Interests 0 Issues you care about 0 Future career hopes 0 Favorite (or least hated) school subjects
#3 Formulate Research Questions (RQ) 0 Guide and focus your research 0 The answer=thesis 0 Qualities of a good RQ: 0 Not too broad 0 Not too narrow 0 No absolute answer 0 Credible research for both sides 0 Interesting to you How much control should the government have over what we eat?
#4 Keyword Bank 0 Generate a list of search terms 0 Add to the list as your research continues 0 Important people 0 Sub-topics 0 Important events, examples 0 Use broad terms for books 0 Use specific terms and combinations for databases 0 Keep adding to the list
#5 Preliminary Research 0 Research different topics 0 Test out your interests 0 Test out different RQs 0 Talk to people who know! 0 Trust people who know
#6 Get RQ approved & Begin/Continue Search 0 Databases first! 0 Be patient 0 Be persistent 0 Vary and combine terms 0 Ask for help from different people
TIP: Keep track of source info 0 Use “cite this” 0 MLA format, 7 th edition 0 No URL needed 0 Save the document to a place(s) where you won’t lose it
#7 Read, annotate, notecard, repeat … 0 Know what notes came from what source 0 Research, read, think, research, read, think... 0 As you become more knowledgeable, the research will get better
#8 Thesis 0 Develop a working thesis
#9 Organize! This is why we require notecards!