This list of steps is a guideline for you to use. Not everyone will do these steps in the same order and you may go back and forth between them.
1. Select a general topic that interests you in some way.
2. List key words to help you look up information about the topic.
3. Go to an encyclopedia, or other reference source, to get an overview of the topic.
4. Make source cards for whatever sources you will use for information.
5. Using the general overview, begin to focus the topic into something you can cover well.
6. Write a statement of purpose about the focused topic.
7. Brainstorm questions about the focused topic.
8. Group questions under similar headings.
9. Add any new questions you can think of under those headings.
10. Repeat step 2, listing more key words from your newly focused topic and questions.
11. Make a list of possible sources that can answer your questions. Identify the best sources to use.
12. Find the sources in the library, on the computer, etc. Make a source card for each one you use.
14. Begin making notecards. Use your brain stormed questions to guide your note taking.
15. Change your statement of purpose into a draft thesis statement.
16. Make an outline of your headings.
17. Refocus your thesis statement if necessary.
18. Write the body of your paper from your notes.
19. Cite any necessary information with parenthetical citations.
20. Write your introduction and conclusion.
21. Write your Works Cited (it is similar to a bibliography).
22. Create a title page.
23. Evaluate your work.
24. Turn in your paper on time.
When you're done, CELEBRATE!
1. Selecting A Research Topic
Your teacher gives you some guidelines for choosing one.
Here's where you have to do some reading on the general topic and get an overview. Then you can focus your topic down to a reasonable size that you can handle for this project.
2. Getting an Overview
Getting an overview is finding a source of information that gives you a simple understanding about a topic without telling you all about it in great detail. An overview should have some basic facts and be in clear enough language for you to understand. It should answer the questions; "who", "what", "when" and "where", and only briefly some of the "why" and "how" questions. Think of an overview as a picture taken from a distance where all of the details are not in focus. Your later research will bring those details into focus.
Getting an overview will help you
• get a general understanding of your topic.
• begin to know what kinds of subtopics are within the general topic.
• begin to ask some questions that you will answer later in the research process.
• begin to focus your topic into one you can handle in your project.
How do I find one?
• Encyclopedias are one of the best sources of overviews. Encyclopedias are available in print and on the computer. Some articles are very long, select just the sections that will help you.
• You can also find some good overviews on websites, but you need to make sure it is accurate information (do this by comparing it with your other sources).
• Short books and books written for younger readers can also be very good overview sources.
To begin your research, please find two sources that will help you understand the impact of the colonial period. You will write up your findings in a brief overview.
Developing Research Questions
What do you need to find out?
1. What do you already know anything about this topic? Write it down.
2. Brainstorm what questions you will have to answer to truly understand this topic.
Start with the question words:
Who __________________________________________?
What __________________________________________?
When__________________________________________?
Where __________________________________________?
Why__________________________________________?
How__________________________________________?
Other Questions . .
3. What key words will help you search on the Internet?
Statement of Purpose (for the research project) (Step 6)
My purpose in this research is to learn about . . .______________________________
________________________________________________________________________
In order to understand this, I plan to look at these time periods _________________
Doing the Research
How do I find helpful sources?
Before you print anything
1. Is it about the topic you are looking for?
2. Will you be able to read it?
3. Does it look like a reliable source?
IMPORTANT: Transfer these questions to NOTECARDS.
1. Select a general topic that interests you in some way.
2. List key words to help you look up information about the topic.
3. Go to an encyclopedia, or other reference source, to get an overview of the topic.
4. Make source cards for whatever sources you will use for information.
5. Using the general overview, begin to focus the topic into something you can cover well.
6. Write a statement of purpose about the focused topic.
7. Brainstorm questions about the focused topic.
8. Group questions under similar headings.
9. Add any new questions you can think of under those headings.
10. Repeat step 2, listing more key words from your newly focused topic and questions.
11. Make a list of possible sources that can answer your questions. Identify the best sources to use.
12. Find the sources in the library, on the computer, etc. Make a source card for each one you use.
14. Begin making notecards. Use your brain stormed questions to guide your note taking.
15. Change your statement of purpose into a draft thesis statement.
16. Make an outline of your headings.
17. Refocus your thesis statement if necessary.
18. Write the body of your paper from your notes.
19. Cite any necessary information with parenthetical citations.
20. Write your introduction and conclusion.
21. Write your Works Cited (it is similar to a bibliography).
22. Create a title page.
23. Evaluate your work.
24. Turn in your paper on time.
When you're done, CELEBRATE!
1. Selecting A Research Topic
Your teacher gives you some guidelines for choosing one.
Here's where you have to do some reading on the general topic and get an overview. Then you can focus your topic down to a reasonable size that you can handle for this project.
2. Getting an Overview
Getting an overview is finding a source of information that gives you a simple understanding about a topic without telling you all about it in great detail. An overview should have some basic facts and be in clear enough language for you to understand. It should answer the questions; "who", "what", "when" and "where", and only briefly some of the "why" and "how" questions. Think of an overview as a picture taken from a distance where all of the details are not in focus. Your later research will bring those details into focus.
Getting an overview will help you
• get a general understanding of your topic.
• begin to know what kinds of subtopics are within the general topic.
• begin to ask some questions that you will answer later in the research process.
• begin to focus your topic into one you can handle in your project.
How do I find one?
• Encyclopedias are one of the best sources of overviews. Encyclopedias are available in print and on the computer. Some articles are very long, select just the sections that will help you.
• You can also find some good overviews on websites, but you need to make sure it is accurate information (do this by comparing it with your other sources).
• Short books and books written for younger readers can also be very good overview sources.
To begin your research, please find two sources that will help you understand the impact of the colonial period. You will write up your findings in a brief overview.
Developing Research Questions
What do you need to find out?
1. What do you already know anything about this topic? Write it down.
2. Brainstorm what questions you will have to answer to truly understand this topic.
Start with the question words:
Who __________________________________________?
What __________________________________________?
When__________________________________________?
Where __________________________________________?
Why__________________________________________?
How__________________________________________?
Other Questions . .
3. What key words will help you search on the Internet?
Statement of Purpose (for the research project) (Step 6)
My purpose in this research is to learn about . . .______________________________
________________________________________________________________________
In order to understand this, I plan to look at these time periods _________________
Doing the Research
How do I find helpful sources?
Before you print anything
1. Is it about the topic you are looking for?
2. Will you be able to read it?
3. Does it look like a reliable source?
IMPORTANT: Transfer these questions to NOTECARDS.
