mastering your research: 4 steps to successful research
TRANSCRIPT
Mastering Your Research:4 Steps to Successful Research
Doing ResearchWhen presented with a research task, everybody–including professors, doctors, lawyers and undergraduates-go through four stages:
1. Getting your Assignment2. Selecting your Topic3. Finding your Focus4. Digging In
1. Getting Your Assignment
Getting Your Assignment
When given a new research assignment, it is normal to feel uncertain about what is expected of you, or what you should be writing or presenting about.
A. True B. False
Getting Your Assignment
When given a new research assignment, it is normal to feel uncertain about what is expected of you, or what you should be writing or presenting about.
A. True B. False
Getting Your Assignment
If a research assignment isn’t clear or doesn’t make sense it’s the professor’s fault, in which case you should research and write about whatever you want.
A. True B. False
Getting Your Assignment
If a research assignment isn’t clear or doesn’t make sense it’s the professor’s fault, in which case you should research and write about whatever you want
A. True B. False
Getting Your Assignment
Embrace your uncertaintySeek clarification early and oftenReflect on the purpose of the assignmentDon’t settle on the topic right wayTake time to familiarize yourself with a
number of possible general topics first.
Getting Your Assignment
Resist relying on the Internet:Looking for a quick answer online is a cop-out. You
are defeating the purpose of the assignment.By relying on the Internet, you are more likely to
plagiarize and Less likely to learn anything.Initially, it can be hard to tell between good and
bad information online.
2. Selecting your General Topic
Selecting your Topic
When selecting a topic for your research, which of the following should you keep in mind?
A. The topic is appropriate to the assignment B. The interests you. C. You can find information about the topic. D. You can get the research done in time. E. All of the above
Selecting your Topic
When selecting a topic for your research, which of the following should you keep in mind?
A. The topic is appropriate to the assignment B. The interests you. C. You can find information about the topic. D. You can get the research done in time. E. All of the above
Selecting your TopicYou have just been asked to write a research paper about Great Britain. Where is the best place to begin your research?
A. The Internet B. A newspaper article. C. A magazine article. D. An encyclopedia
Selecting your TopicYou have just been asked to write a research paper about Great Britain. Where is the best place to begin your research?
A. The Internet B. A newspaper article. C. A magazine article. D. An encyclopedia
Selecting your TopicYou have just been asked to write a paper about the recent political unrest in Great Britain. Where is the best place to begin your research?
A. A news website B. A newspaper article. C. A book. D. A or B
Selecting your TopicYou have just been asked to write a paper about the recent political unrest in Great Britain. Where is the best place to begin your research?
A. A news website B. A newspaper article. C. A book. D. A or B
Selecting your TopicFor your psychology paper, which likely is the best resource for finding a definition of “depression”?
A. The Internet. B. A general encyclopedia. C. A subject encyclopedia. D. All of the above
Selecting your TopicFor your psychology paper, which likely is the best resource for finding a definition of “depression”?
A. The Internet. B. A general encyclopedia. C. A subject encyclopedia. D. All of the above
Selecting your TopicFamiliarize yourself with major terminology,
concepts and themes of your topic.Don’t assume that you know and don’t ever consider writing about something you haven’t researched.
Selecting your Topic
Dictionaries and Encyclopedias help get you up to speed fast… General Dictionaries & Encyclopedias
Address a broad range of topicsProvide introductory coverage
Subject Dictionaries & EncyclopediaFocus on a particular subjectProvide specialized/detailed coverage
Selecting your Topic
Consider the timing of possible topics when deciding how to begin your research:
3. Finding your Focus
Finding your FocusCongratulations, you have decided on your topic, “Hinduism ”. Unfortunately, your enthusiasm is short-lived because you cannot write about the entire movement in one paper. What do you do next?
A. Panic, go online and copy a website B. Reflect on your initial research and select one or two angles that can take on the topic. C. Look for more detailed sources on your topic that might reveal an interesting angle. D. B and C
Finding your FocusCongratulations, you have decided on your general topic, “Hinduism”. Unfortunately, your enthusiasm is short-lived because you cannot write about the entire movement in one paper. What do you do next?
A. Panic, go online and copy a website B. Reflect on your initial research and select one or two angles that can take on the topic. C. Look for more detailed sources on your topic that might reveal an interesting angle. D. B and C
Finding your FocusWhen looking for something to focus on within your topic, which of the following is a good strategy?
A. Look for an interesting issue, person or event around which you can frame your discussion. B. Look for disagreements or debates about your topic. C. Narrow your research down to one central idea or concept and investigate it in great detail. D. All of the above
Finding your FocusWhen looking for something to focus on within your topic, which of the following is a good strategy?
A. Look for an interesting issue, person or event around which you can frame your discussion. B. Look for disagreements or debates about your topic. C. Narrow your research down to one central idea or concept and investigate it in great detail. D. All of the above
Finding your Focus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=uDGJ2CYfY9A
Finding your Focus
Searching Databases:Don’t type out your whole questionFocus on keywords: nouns and adjectivesUse “quotation marks” for exact phrasesUse AND & OR to control resultsDon’t give up too quickly – try lost of different
searches!
Find your Focus Start with what you know and look for an angle:
People, places and events Central ideas or concepts Central debates Role of /impact on different people or groups
Expand what you know by looking at more detailed sources: What is important? What isn’t? What additional ideas or issues are raised Who or what is being argued for or against?
4. Digging In
Digging InWhen digging into research, it usually is a good idea to look for several different kinds of resources, including newspapers, magazines, scholarly journals, books and websites.
A. True B. False
Digging InWhen digging into research, it usually is a good idea to look for several different kinds of resources, including newspapers, magazines, scholarly journals, books and websites.
A. True B. False
Digging In
Including trustworthily dictionaries, encyclopedias, periodical articles and books in your initial research will make you a better judge.
A. True B. False
Digging In
Including trustworthily dictionaries, encyclopedia, periodical, articles and books in your initial research will make you a better judge.
A. True B. False
Digging InWhen looking for website, which is least important for deciding whether a website is appropriate for your assignment?
A. The information on the website has a trustworthy and identifiable author. B. The website is published by a trustworthy and identifiable organization C. The website is popular and showed up first in a Google search. D. The information on the website has recently been updated and includes a date.
Digging InWhen looking for website, which is least important for deciding whether a website is appropriate for your assignment?
A. The information on the website has a trustworthy and identifiable author. B. The website is published by a trustworthy and identifiable organization C. The website is popular and showed up first in a Google search. D. The information on the website has recently been updated and includes a date.
Digging InMost research topics require more than one kind of
source…
Reducing STDs among American
Women
Encyclopedia Articles on STDs and their
transmission
Medical website
articles on STD
Prevention
Scholarly articles on STDs among white American
women