The Research Process Josefino Rivera, Jr. Literature and Personal Choice Senior Thesis 9 March 2009

Agenda Pair Share Research Questions Sources of Information How to Research How to Take Notes

Sources of Information Library Internet (tomorrow)

Library: Five important places to start 1. Librarian 2. General Reference Works Encyclopedia Specialized encyclopedias 3. Library Catalogue Author Title Subject (Interdisciplinary arc) Keyword (important words that will come up often)

Library: Five important places to start 4. DatabasesDatabases Gales Student Resource Center eLibrary SIRS (Social Issues Research Series) The Worldbook Encyclopedia EBSCO Issues and Controversies 5. Specialized Bibliographies Anthologies

Library: Important Dates Thursday, March 12 MVHS Library with sub DUE: 5 print sources and notes Friday, March 13 MVHS Library computer lab with sub DUE: 5 online sources and notes Saturday, March 21 SJSU Library Fieldtrip 10-1 (opt) Must get library card first if under 18 Saturday, March 28* SF Public Library

Sources Approved Encyclopedia (week 1) College-level books Peer-reviewed research (attractiveness factor, submissions column, and peers in the same field doing research) Rejected Encyclopedia (after week 1) Popular reading Magazines

Total Sources Bibliography (Snapshot of research whether you use it or not. Temporary document-- place holder that disappears after you start typing your paper): 24 Note Set #1=6, #2=12, #3=18, #4=24 Annotated Bibliography (Citation of research that also reflects use: strengths, weaknesses, how you think you will use it in your paper): ~3/4 page each Works Cited (Only references that are paraphrased or cited in paper): 6-8

Skimming a Text All researchers skim: not intellectually lazy. 1.Table of Contents: find chapters related to what you need 2.Index: look up key words 3.Intro/Abstract: summary of all of text 4.Chapters: 1. Introduction 2. Topic sentences 3. If still of use, then read entire chapter

Note-Taking Bibliography is a road map: assumption there is a community of people communicating with each other Research Question and Focus Question Full MLA style Quote (page #), summarize (chapter heading and title), paraphrase (chapter heading or title), or note important information (clearly differentiate) Respond to the information by noting observations, stating reaction, arguing opinions, making connections, or asking questions

A Note on Plagiarism Plagiarism is plagiarism even if it isnt intended Be very clear which are your words and which come from research Research is about using others ideas and information to advance new information

Note-Taking Reflection What specific question did todays research answer? How will incorporate this research into my larger research question? Based on my research today, I will answer this research question next because: Problems I ran into and strategies I tried to solve problems:

Homework Read The Craft of Research, chapter 6 (pages ) 1. Typed 2. MLA Format 3. Q, P, S, N 4. Observation, reaction, opinion, connection, opinion 5. Reflection

Exit Card 3New things I learned today 2Potential research questions 1Question or concern I still have