Planning Your I-Search Part 1

The I-Search assignment is a PERSONAL RESEARCH PROJECT. It differs from the standard research paper in two main ways. It includes the Story of Your Search You tell the reader what motivated you to do your search (beyond Mr. Allen bugging you about it) What you knew before you started What you wanted to know And the research steps you went through to find out what you wanted to know—including both the steps that led to useful information and the steps that turned out to be dead ends. It begins with an essential question—something you really want or need to know in the next 5 years. This makes the I-Search useful because instead of just doing research to please a teacher, you are finding out something that you’ll need to figure out anyway.

Three parts to the I-Search The Story of Your Search This section tells readers what you knew about your subject before you began your research, what you wanted to know, and how you went about answering your questions. What you learned (actual answers to your questions) In this section, you give readers the results of your search—both the answers you found and the answers you did not find. This section includes findings from books, articles, blog posts as well as personal investigations such as interviews. Your reflections on the search You use this final section to tell readers what the experience has taught you about the search for answers to important questions.

First Steps Find on the website, the handout “Trigger Phrases-Topics” and print it out. Complete the sheet by filling in the circles and blanks If you have more ideas, use the back.

Form a Research Question In a Nutshell To avoid gathering information that you cannot use in your I-Search paper, you must focus as tightly as you can on one key aspect of your topic. The best way to achieve a tight focus is to form a research question—a question that asks exactly what you want to find out from your research. You shouldn’t be able to answer your research question with a single word. Ideally, it should be a question that gives rise to several more detailed, sub questions questions. Use the “Forming a Research Question” handout on the website or use the format to the right.

Form a Resource Group A small group of 3-4 trusted friends can be a big help. Form your group now. Share your topic and research question. Your group can discuss ways to improve your research questions and to find information. One of your group members might know an expert in the very topic you have decided to research. Start a Search Journal Keeping the Record Straight It is important to keep a daily record of your research process so that you will have this information when you write the story of your search. To record your daily progress, start a search journal (use the handout on the website). Take a look at the sample to the left.

Before moving to the next presentation, make sure you have done the following Selected a topic, completing the “Trigger Phrases” handout Formed a research question either using the “Forming a Research Question” sheet or doing it in your own notebook Shared your research question and sought feedback from your resource group. Started your search journal and making daily entries as you progress in your search. Had Mr. Allen check each of these steps to earn points and track progress.