The Research Process

based on “The Research Process”http://www.library.illinois.edu/learn/basics/

researchprocess.htmlAccessed 12/14/2011

1.Choose Your Topic2.Gather Your Sources3.Evaluate the Sources

4.Cite the Sources

Choose Your TopicINSTRUCTORS

TEXTBOOKS

MAGAZINES

BLOGS

ARTICLES OF INTEREST

Choose Your Topic1. WHAT ASPECT ARE YOU INTERESTED IN?

Ex. The Death Penalty –

POLITICS & PUBLIC OPINION?

EVOLUTION OF METHODS?

COURT RULINGS DEATH SENTENCES?

Choose Your Topic1. WHAT ASPECT ARE YOU INTERESTED IN?

Ex. The Death Penalty –

POLITICS & PUBLIC OPINION?

EVOLUTION OF METHODS?

COURT RULINGS DEATH SENTENCES?http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs41/f/

2009/054/b/1/6_Headed_Hydra_by_moonscream.jpg

2. WHAT GEOGRAPHY?

Ex. – The Death Penalty

SINGLE STATE?

STATE-TO-STATE COMPARISSON?

NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE?

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE?

Choose Your Topic

http://www.smart-kid-educational-games.com/images/geography-games-3.jpg

2. WHAT TIME PERIOD?

Ex. – The Death Penalty

500-1500 AD MEDIEVAL TIMES?

1200-1400 AD RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION?

1950-2012 AD MODERN DAY?

2012-2050 AD FUTURE PROJECTIONS?

Choose Your Topic

GATHER RESOURCESTEXTBOOKS- Additional Reading at End of Chapters- Examine Textbook Citations to Find More

DON’T REINVENT THE WHEEL

- Academic- Trustworthy- Legitimate

http://thecubelondon.com/files/2011/04/cool-inventions-one-wheel-motorcycle.jpg

MAGAZINES- Current! Issues concern Public Opinion or Trends.- Typically Legitimate Information.

DON’T REINVENT THE WHEEL

TIME MAGAZINEBLOOMBERG BUSINESS WEEKFBI LAW ENFORCEMENT BULLETIN

GATHER RESOURCES

http://www.akininc.com/images/Magazine%20Covers-%20stories/FBI%20Law%20Enforcement%202-05%20blog%20500.jpg

GATHER RESOURCESBLOGS & INTERNET RESOURCES

- Current! Issues concern Public Opinion or Trends.- Typically Legitimate Information.- Dynamic, Search-able.

WWW.SEARCH.TWITTER.COM

WWW.FBI.GOVWWW.CRIMINALJUSTICEFORUM.COM

WWW.LIBRARY.KAPLAN.EDU

1. SEARCH YOUR TOPIC2. ENTER YOU LAST NAME AND USER ID

3. REFINE YOUR SEARCH BASED ON FINDINGS

4. USE ARTICLE ABSTRACTS TO SPRINGBOARD YOUR RESEARCH EFFORTS

GATHER RESOURCES

WWW.LIBRARY.KAPLAN.EDU

- DYNAMIC. SEARCH-ABLE- ACADEMIC MATERIAL.

- EASY TO CITE- ARTICLES ARE SUMMARIZED WITH ABSTRACTS

- PEER-REVIEWED JOURNALS- (COMMITTEE HAS REVIEWED THE CONTENT BEFORE PUBLICATION)

GATHER RESOURCES

EVALUATE RESOURCES

TEXTBOOKSCLASSROOM MATERIALS

ARTICLESONLINE, INPRINT

ONLINE INFORMATIONBLOGS, ARTICLES, WEBPAGES

TEXTBOOKS

Published by corporations. Information is current, relevant, and accurate.

Textbooks cite their information, include indexes, and are themselves easily cited.

EVALUATE RESOURCES

ARTICLES

PEER-REVIEWED & INDEPENDENT

EVALUATE RESOURCES

INFORMATION IS REVIEWED BY COMMITTEE OF PROFESSIONALS IN THE FIELD.

WRITING STYLE IS ACADEMIC.

USE CITATIONS TO SPRINGBOARD YOUR RESEARCH.

INFORMATION IS NOT REVIEWED BY COMMITTEE OF PROFESSIONALS IN THE FIELD.

WRITING STYLE MAY BE ACADEMIC.

USE CITATIONS TO SPRINGBOARD YOUR RESEARCH.

MAY NEED TO VERIFY INFORMATION.

ONLINE INFORMATION

Look at the Author. Have they written other materials?Are they professionals in their field?

Look at the Affiliated Agencies.Look for Copyright Information.

Examine the ABOUT US link.

EVALUATE RESOURCES

ACCURACYIs there data? Does it make sense?

COVERAGEIs it enough for your topic? Is the information

unbiased or opinionated?

AUTHORITYAre the authors professionals in the field, affiliated

with agencies or universities, and published elsewhere?

EVALUATE RESOURCES

1.Choose Your Topic2.Gather Your Sources3.Evaluate the Sources

4.Cite the Sources