Planning Your Research Project Ch. 30 Bedford guide for college writers

The Research Process pg. 627 Engage- Explore a topic that intrigues you, follow your assignment Inquire- State your research question Organize- Manage your project Plan a method of recording information Organize a research archive, and create a schedule Investigate- Work with your sources Start a working bibliography, and draw the details from sources Quote, paraphrase, and summarize to capture information in your notes

The Research Process pg. 627 Search- Seek and evaluate reliable sources that might help you answer your question Use the internet, library catalog, databases, and reference materials Develop search strategies for print and electronic sources Interview, observe, or conduct other field research Analyze and evaluate the reliability and relevance of each source Synthesize- Integrate reliable information and evidence to support your answer to your question. Use sources ethically to avoid plagiarism Quote, paraphrase, and synthesize to capture and integrate source materials. Clarify the thesis that answers your question, and support it as you write your paper. Cite and list your sources

Exploring your Territory After you have chosen your topic, you begin to research what you want to say about your topic. You can: Go Online Browse the Library Talk with Experts Revisit your Purpose and Audience With each of these you can browse and narrow down specifically what you want to write about.

Using your Thesis to Guide Your Research Identify terms to define and subtopics or components to explore List or informally outline points you might develop Note opposing views, alternatives, or solutions likely to emerge Research Question Search Engine Specialized Websites Relevant Pages Online Resources Links to Related sites Library Catalog Specialized Resources Books Journals Other Library Materials Database Specialized Fields or Topics Specific Articles Specific Abstracts Keyword Or Keyword Combination

Surveying Your Resources Opinions or Controversies: Turn to newspaper editorials, opinion columns, issue-oriented sites, and partisan groups for diverse views. News and Analysis: Look for stories from newsmagazines, newspapers, news services, and public broadcasting. Statistics and Facts Try census or other government data, library databases, annual fact books, and almanacs.

Surveying Your Resources Professional Work Information: Turn to reports and surveys with academic, government, and corporate sponsors to reduce bias. Research-based Analysis: Try scholarly or well-researched nonfiction, government reports, specialized references, and academic databases. Original Records or Images: Check archives, online historical records, and materials held by institutions such as the Library of Congress.

Managing Your Project Recording information Don’t try to print everything and read everything because it will take way too long. Instead, take notes, annotate, highlight, quote, paraphrase, and summarize. Let’s take a look at page 239 in your text book: Summary Reduces the author’s main point to essentials, using your own words and sentences Paraphrase Captures an author’s specific ideas fully and accurately, restating them in your own words and sentences.

Managing Your Project Take notes Read as a skeptical critic Save computer files Add Favorites or Bookmarks Save search results Save file copies