1. Prepared by Prof. Philip R. Murray Finley
Universidad del Turabo Decanato de Educacion General English Department
Summary Chapter 2:
The Research Question, Focused Reading and Taking Notes, and Rough Outline
5/20/2019
Prepared by Prof. Philip R. Murray Finley

2. The Research Question

3. What is a Research Question?
A Research Question is a question that you use to guide your reading. While you read, it helps you select information you may use in your research.
Helps focus on your topic.
Helps you decide if it is information is relevant/useful.
5/20/2019
Prepared by Prof. Philip R. Murray Finley

4. How to Create a Research Question?
Have one assigned by professor.
Think about topics that interest you.
Think about ideas you read.
Think about ideas you discussed.
Re-read information.
Read and take notes.
5/20/2019
Prepared by Prof. Philip R. Murray Finley

5. Parts of a Research Question
The research question has two parts:
1- Topic for your paper. It is usually in the form of a noun or noun phrase.
Ex: Why do people go to college?
Ex. Why are Americans over-weight?
5/20/2019
Prepared by Prof. Philip R. Murray Finley

6. Parts of a Research Question CONT…
The research question has two parts:
2- Focus – suggests what you will say about the topic and tells you what kind of information to look for as you read.
Ex: What are the effects of drugs on teenagers?
Ex. Should teachers in Puerto Rico receive a salary raise?
5/20/2019
Prepared by Prof. Philip R. Murray Finley

7. The FOCUS of a Research Question
The focus of a research question may include one of several types:
Cause- explains the causes or reasons for something.
Why are Americans over-weight?
Effect- writes about the consequences or effects of an event or action.
What are the negative consequences of alcohol addiction?
5/20/2019
Prepared by Prof. Philip R. Murray Finley

8. The FOCUS of a Research Question CONT…
Comparison- compare two or more concepts.
How are attitudes toward drinking alcohol similar or different in the United States and Japan?
Definition- in-depth definition of a topic.
What are the signs of alcohol addiction?
Process- how to do something.
How does an individual becomes addicted to drugs?
5/20/2019
Prepared by Prof. Philip R. Murray Finley

9. The FOCUS of a Research Question CONT…
Classification- ways of classifying a topic.
What are the different patterns of alcohol abuse?
Argument- yes/no format and ask you to explain an opinion.
Should the legal drinking age be reduced from 21 to 18?
Practice exercise (pg 33): Identify the topic and tye of focus for each question.
5/20/2019
Prepared by Prof. Philip R. Murray Finley

10. Research Questions with more than one focus
Sometimes a research question combines more than one focus idea.
In this case, you need to identify each focus and consider how they relate to each other.
Example:
In what ways can understanding the causes of alcohol addiction help a person stop drinking.
5/20/2019
Prepared by Prof. Philip R. Murray Finley

11. Focused Reading and Taking Notes

12. Focused reading and Taking Notes
Your research question will guide you to decide which information from the articles will be useful for your research paper.
In order to use your research question effectively, you need to be clear about its focus: what is it asking you to look for in your research?
5/20/2019
Prepared by Prof. Philip R. Murray Finley

13. Prepared by Prof. Philip R. Murray Finley
Note-Taking Methods
With many sources to read and evaluate, you need a way to keep track of the material you may use in your research paper.
You need to choose a system of taking notes that is useful for you and that you will use every time you do research for your paper.
5/20/2019
Prepared by Prof. Philip R. Murray Finley

14. Note-Taking Methods CONT…
For a short paper, or few sources use the information you highlighted.
Advantage: you already did the work.
Disadvantage: You cannot move words or phrases around.
Using Highlighted Sources
Type research question on the top of the page., type the source information under the question, type information from article, type your reactions
Advantage: you begin to develop material directly related to your topic.
Disadvantage: Must have access to a computer.
Taking Notes on the Computer
5/20/2019
Prepared by Prof. Philip R. Murray Finley

15. Note-Taking Methods CONT…
Write comments in the margins of the article that you highlighted
Advantage: quick and easy
Disadvantages: must photocopy all your sources and always have them with you to use them, cannot move notes around
Writing Margin Notes
Use a separate card for each sentence from the source, write the information of the article, write quotes of the article and your notes.
Advantage: easy recognize information by arranging cards.
Disadvantage: Time consuming
Using Note Cards
5/20/2019
Prepared by Prof. Philip R. Murray Finley

16. Creating a Rough Outline

17. Creating a Rough Outline
Once you have a collection of notes, you have much of the substance of your research paper.
You have to decide how this information can be combined and organized into your paper.
Always look at the focus of your research paper.
5/20/2019
Prepared by Prof. Philip R. Murray Finley

18. A Rough Outline
Begins with your research question
Contains a short, simple list of the main ideas
You will develop the groups of ideas into the main supporting points of your paper.
5/20/2019
Prepared by Prof. Philip R. Murray Finley

19. 3 Techniques for Analyzing Notes for a rough draft
Brainstorming a List
To use this technique you will need to have your notes on a piece of paper separate from the source.
1. Read all your notes.
2. Write your research question on a different paper.
3. Without looking at your notes, brainstorm a list of words and phrases that come to mind.
4. Return to your notes and check to see if you have missed something.
5. Read over your list to see what words or phrases seem to go together. Label each group with a number.
6. Once you have created and numbered a list, look for ways to describe the different groups of ideas.
5/20/2019
Prepared by Prof. Philip R. Murray Finley

20. 3 Techniques for Analyzing Notes for a rough draft (CONT…)
Sorting your notes
1. Read your notes and put a checkmark next to each piece of information that you find particularly useful in answering your research question.
2. If your notes are on a single piece of paper, cut them apart so that each piece of information is on a separate strip.
3. Put all the notes that seem to belong together into a separate pile.
4. Now, analyze what connects the ideas in each pile and give each pile a name- a descriptive word or phrase.
5/20/2019
Prepared by Prof. Philip R. Murray Finley

21. 3 Techniques for Analyzing Notes for a rough draft (CONT…)
Color Coding
1. Assemble all your reading notes and several different highlighting pens.
2. Read all your notes quickly and decide on some categories for the different kinds of information. (3-8 categories)
3. Assign a different color to each category and make a key showing which color represents what idea.
4. Highlight all the notes in category on the same color.
5. Name each category and use these categories as the main supporting points in your rough outline.
5/20/2019
Prepared by Prof. Philip R. Murray Finley

22. Prepared by Prof. Philip R. Murray Finley
YOUR ROUGH OUTLINE
Cover Page
Research Question
Introduction:
Hook
Connecting Ideas
Thesis Statement
Body:
Idea # 1
Idea # 2
Idea # 3
Conclusion:
Restate the Thesis Statement
5/20/2019
Prepared by Prof. Philip R. Murray Finley