Session Outline: 1. Research Strategy - the 8 steps including: Finding information on the subject guide Searching the library catalogue Searching online databases Searching for and evaluating information from the Web Collecting details of your information sources for your Reference List 2. Report Structure © Central Institute of Technology

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Step 1: Analyse Set Topic: When you are given a written assessment, read through it carefully. Before you start looking for information, be sure you understand what you are looking for. Analyse the topic to determine the approach being asked for. Are you being asked to: Compare? Review? Discuss? Contrast? Summarise? Explain? Own Topic: Ask yourself - What do I already know about the topic? Are there parts of the topic that I need to learn about? Are there opposing points of view about the topic? © Central Institute of Technology

Consider the following: How is it to be presented – report format, video recording? What are the assessment requirements – how many words, how long the recording? How many and what type of resources are to be used? How current does the information need to be? © Central Institute of Technology

Step 2: Translate “As a legal translator what issues will there be when interpreting for people of different cultures?” © Central Institute of Technology 2013 Identify the concepts and keywords and underline them. You can use a thesaurus to identify alternate keywords…

Identify the search terms… Identify the search terms… As a legal translator what issues will there be when interpreting for people of different cultures? Concept 1Concept 2Concept 3 legalinterpretingdifferent cultures or lawtranslator cross cultural communication or courtroomtranslatingcultural factors or translationcultural differences © Central Institute of Technology 2013

Step 3: Begin your search A useful place to start your research is to use reference sources such as dictionaries, glossaries, thesauri or encyclopaedias. Check the Reference Collection in the Library or use online sources: Dictionaries/Glossaries provide definitions and help you to understand the terminology. Thesauri provide synonyms or alternate terms for searching. Encyclopaedias give a general overview of a topic, providing background information. © Central Institute of Technology

Step 4: Search for detailed information Use your keywords (or alternate terms) to search the Library Catalogue for factual, in-depth information from books, DVDs and journal titles. When searching the catalogue remember to limit your search to Perth campus. Alternatively browse at relevant call numbers. If you can’t find what you need, consider requesting an inter-library loan. © Central Institute of Technology

Step 5: Online Databases Search for current, reliable information in databases such as Ebsco or ProQuest. Access them from the Databases/ Journals page on the subject guide – you will need to login if off-campus. Tips for searching databases:  Use a various combinations of your search terms  Select full-text when conducting your search  Include a date range to ensure current information  Read the summary to see if the article is relevant © Central Institute of Technology

Step 6: Search the Web Tips: Learn how to use the Advanced Google search option to get better results by targeting your searches. Use smart searching techniques such as quotation marks to search for phrases, e.g. “courtroom interpreting”, “cross cultural communication”. Examine the URL to determine the reliability of the site. © Central Institute of Technology

Step 7: Evaluate and select or discard your results Ask yourself these questions… √ Is the information correct? √ Is the information relevant? √ Is the information reliable? (who is the author/sponsor?) √ Is the information up-to-date? √ Is the information free from bias? (is it trying to persuade?) √ Is it what I need? © Central Institute of Technology

When evaluating information from websites, it can be difficult to determine the reliability of the information. Unlike most print sources where the information has been edited before it is published, information on the Internet is mostly unfiltered. There is little control over the material and anyone can create a website on any topic, whether or not they have training or experience in the subject field. A lot of the information on the Internet is commercial or personal. © Central Institute of Technology 2013

List of Organisational TypesList of Country Codes.comcommercial.auAustralia.edueducation.nzNew Zealand.govgovernment.ukUnited Kingdom.netnetwork.deGermany.orgorganisationno codeUSA © Central Institute of Technology 2013

Step 8: Collect the details of everything you are going to use in your report Remember: It's always best practice to keep a list of your references as you write the paper – a working bibliography. You will need to cite any information or graphics you use in your report. See information on referencing using the APA style on the subject guide. © Central Institute of Technology

Abstract - provides a summary of the question being investigated and an overview of the whole report. (Compose the abstract after you have completed the written report.) Background - the purpose and scope of the report and what it covers. Methodology - outline how the information was obtained: Some reports require observation, interviews, surveys, questionnaires. Others consist of research by using books, journal articles, the Internet. Results - describe what you found in the investigation. Conclusions - includes an interpretation and evaluation of the results of the research. Reference List - list your information sources. Appendices - supporting material or evidence is placed in the appendices to avoid cluttering the body of the report. © Central Institute of Technology

If you require further assistance:  Ask at the Library Service Desk  © Central Institute of Technology