How to… Research Like An Expert! Day 2

Today’s Goals By the end of the period, I will: have selected my topic of interest started to explore my topic and consulted a variety of sources have bookmarked at least one web site for my review of literature

It’s all about process… the Inquiry Process! Focus Select a topic of interest and ask real questions. 1 Explore Find the resources you need…and keep track of where you found it! 2 Analyze Interpret and evaluate the information you find. 3 Communicate Report what you find. Give credit where credit is due. 4

Explore... What kind of resources will help me? What do I need to verify? What new information do I need to find? Where is the best place to find it? e.g. If you’re looking for recent Canadian Statistics, don’t use an older book, published in the United States! Have I consulted a variety of sources?  Books, web sites, journal articles, etc. Who is responsible for the information? Did I record all the relevant information and where I found it? REFLECT: What other information do I still need? Explore Find the resources you need…and keep track of where you found it! 2

Strategies for exploration… What are your key search terms?  i.e. the words people use to describe your topic – this will be essential for advanced searching! Don’t just rely on Google Use the Web resources already available…don’t reinvent the wheel! Start from your assignments pageassignments page  recommended web sites/directories (especially Tufts Guide, and Vanier)  Teen Health & Wellness database Evaluate what you find!  Think about who is writing/posting the information Explore Find the resources you need…and keep track of where you found it! 2 Analyze Interpret and evaluate the information you find. 3

Focus Select a topic of interest and ask real questions. 1 What do I already know about my topic? How do I know this? What do I need to verify? What new information do I need to find? What do I think I might discover? What interests me? What am I curious about? Explore Find the resources you need… and keep track of where you found them! 2 What kind of resources will help me? Have I consulted a variety of sources? Who is responsible for the information? REFLECT: What other information do I still need? Did I record all the relevant information and where I found it? Analyze Interpret and evaluate the information you find. 3

Academic Honesty To avoid plagiarizing, remember to: use quotations or paraphrase information give credit where credit is due e.g. direct quotes, unique ideas, statistics keep track of your sources as you go! use the Research Notes Worksheet to help you keep track and organize! Citation Maker/BibMe

Today’s Goals By the end of the period, I will: have selected my topic of interest started to explore my topic and consulted a variety of sources have bookmarked at least one web site for my review of literature

Today’s tasks… Focus in on your topic of interest Strategize What kind of resources will help you? what kind of info are you looking for? where are you going to start? what sites are you going to try? What are your key search terms? what are the main ideas of your topic? what words describe these ideas? Start exploring Keep track of where you look! gather articles & information evaluate and read through later bookmark useful web sites Reflect: What other information do I still need?

Questions…?