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Vasconcellos | Environmental Science Debates: Research Process

Research Process

 

Determine the Information Need

Presearch

Define the information task

Put topic in a context

Getting Started... 

Define your information task and need

  • What do you already know about the topic?
  • What do you think you need to find or learn?
  • How much information will you need? 
  • A 20 page paper requires a different amount of information than 2 paragraphs.
  • How much time do you have?

Generate your initial research questions 

 

Develop an information seeking strategy.​

  • Based on your initial questions, what are all the possible types of sources that might give you the BEST available information.
  • Types of Sources and How They Should be Used
  • Sources should always be:
    • Accessible
    • Accurate
    • Understandable - Think: A book that is not understandable at the beginning of your research on a topic might become understandable after you grasp the way a topic is organized and become familiar with vocabulary.
    • Timely
  • A crazy idea: Using Wikipedia in Academic Research

As you presearch think:

  • How is this topic "organized?"
    • A good way to figure this out is to browse tables-of-contents and indexes
    • Note sub-headings within articles in tertiary sources like Wikipedia, the World Book, or Encyclopedia Britannica
  • What vocabulary words seem important?
  • What are words or terminology that are used to describe key ideas in this subject area?
  • Are there any people, places, time periods, or ideas that seem particularly important to the topic?
  • Are there narrower aspects of the topic that relate well to the assignment?
  • What aspects of the topic fascinate me?

Things to Do!

  • Read and re-read the assignment requirements!
  • Write down all the words that can be used to describe any key ideas
  • Think about the aspect of the topic that you think you want to explore in depth for the project

 

 

Now that you are a bit more familiar with how your topic is organized; the vocabulary of the field of study; important people, dates, and/or places; and you have some initial research questions, you are read to begin your actual research!

 

Locate and Access

Develop a research plan

Locate and access sources

 

Locating and Accessing Sources:
Books:
Primary Sources in Books:
Databases:

 

 

Use the Information and Take Notes

Read/Listen/Watch your sources

Use the information

 

Any good research note taking system needs to:

  • Allow you to trace any specific fact or quote to a particular source
  • Allow you to manipulate disparate facts and content so you can engage in the REAL WORK of analysis and synthesis
  • Provide you with enough context so that you are consistently engaged in the culture of academic documentation and growing the habits of academic integrity

Important note taking tip: If you choose to use document-style note taking, write only on the front sides of your note paper; skip lines between each fact, and use parenthetical-style citation for each fact as explained in the slideshow below. Following these guidelines gives you the option to cut your note sheets apart and regroup your facts as you organize your ideas later in the project process.

 

Organize

Analyze the information

Web, map, outline, etc.

 

The Persuasive Thesis

The Analytical Thesis

Click here to download the Persuasive Thesis Worksheet

Click here to view the Persuasive Thesis Slideshow

 Click here to download the Analytical Thesis Worksheet

 

Building Your Outline Using In-Text Citations

 

 

Create

Synthesis: Create something new

Compose drafts, create storyboards, etc.

 

Define your audience:

  • Who is the intended audience?
  • Where will this be presented/published/shared?
    • Projects and products that will be shared with an audience beyond the classroom should be built using sound files, image files, etc. with the appropriate usage and performance rights.

Establish your purpose:

  • What do you hope to achieve with the presenation/product/project you are building?

What is your thesis?

  • Whether you are giving an oral presentation; building a Keynote/PowerPoint/Google Presentation; writing a paper/blog post; etc. you should always take time to state your thesis in writing.
  • Building an artifact of your learning in service to your thesis helps to keep your product appropriately focused.
  • A simple product that proves and/or thoughtfully supports a thesis is far more effective than a product that is superficially impressive, but which has little real substance.
  • As a learning opportunity, at the end of a presentation of learning, after watching your 3 minute documentary, listening to your speech, or reading your blog post, a member of your audience should be able to say, "Yes, you proved your thesis to me because..." or "No, you didn't quite prove your thesis to me and here's why..."

Think about creative credit and usage rights from the BEGINNING!

  • The way that your project/product will be shared with others impacts the kind of files/content that can be used to build it.
  • Copyright/Fair Use/Licensed Content: 
    • If your project will ONLY be presented within the walls of the classroom and for purposes of learning/teaching, fair use of copyright gives students quite a bit of leeway to use copyrighted material. Even when used under the fair use doctrine, copyrighted material (including images, videos, and sound files) should always be cited or attributed appropriately.
    • If your project will be published or shared with an audience beyond the class such as to a public audience, posted on a website or blog, etc. everything used to build the project should have the appropriate usage rights.
  • Creating a video? Use this Fair Use App from New Media Rights to be sure that your use of any copyrighted content is, indeed, fair use.
  • Looking for licensed images, music, or sound files to use in a project? Start with the Image/Sound Resources guide.

 

 

Share

Deliver product to the audience

 

Setting up your Mid-Pacific Youtube Channel

8888888 9999999

 

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