1. Planning Your Project Step 1- Identify your topic. Selecting a topic that is workable is the most important part of the project. Step 2- Create six questions to help you find out the who, what, when, where, why, and how.

2. Choosing Research Materials Gather research materials. Begin with general books such as your textbook, notes from class, or encyclopedias. Next, search for library books. Your research material must be nonfiction.

3. Distinguishing Fact From Opinion First determine if the source is trustworthy. Second, determine if the source is biased or untrustworthy by looking for opinions in the text. Historical research should rely on facts and primary sources rather than opinion.

4. Researching on the Internet Reliable articles will be signed by well-known experts on the subject. Authors should include details about their credentials. An article may also be worth using if the article is on the site of a university, government office, or museum, it is probably reliable.

5. Web URLs The ending of a URL tells a great deal about the content..gov- governemt entity. Probably contains accurate data..edu- site for an educational institution. Pride themselves on accuracy, however sites may contain opinions in addition to facts..org- may be very accuarte, however, often gather information to support their cause.

6. Plagiarism To present the ideas or words of another person as your own. To avoid plagiarism, follow these rules: 1.Put information in your own words. 2.When you restate an opinion from something you read, include a reference to the author: “According to Thomas and Jones,…” 3.Always include a footnote when you use a direct quotation from one of your sorces.