The Research Process

Choose a Topic
What is the problem or question?

Is your topic too narrow? Too broad?

Can you find enough resources on it?

What subtopics should you include?

Create a rough outline, graphic organizer or web to organize your ideas.

Create Questions
What do you want or need to learn about your topic?

What is your thesis statement? This may change as you find more information.

What kind of information do you need? Facts? Opinions? Pictures? Video? Audio?

Find Resources
Brainstorm. Where can you find information on your topic? What formats are available?

Use the table of contents and index to find information more easily.

Evaluate the information you find. Are the facts accurate? Can you confirm the information in another source? Is the author biased?

When you've found your resources, keep a record of them using a Works Consulted Short Form or Bibliographic Citation Forms from the Media Center. They make creating a Works Consulted bibliography much easier.

Take Notes
Use RTW!

Read (or see or hear) the information.

Think about what it says.

With the book closed or the computer screen minimized, Write what you learned.

If quoting someone, write down exactly what was said. Include the page number where it was found. Ask a teacher how to cite the quote.

Attach the source card to your notes so you know where you found the information.

Present Information
Write a draft or draw a storyboard using your outline, graphic organizer or web.

Each page should have your name and a page number at the top right in the header.

Write an introductory paragraph that includes your thesis statement.

End with a concluding paragraph that sums up your most important ideas.

Create a Works Consulted bibliography.

Edit, Edit, Edit! You can always make your work better.

Is an idea unclear?

Could you use a better word?

Are spelling and grammar correct? Spellcheck misses a lot of mistakes.

Have someone look at your work and offer suggestions for improvement.

Make it even better!

Assemble your project. Include:

Cover page

Text pages or video cassette or computer disk or whatever you are using

Works Consulted bibliography

Evaluate Your Work
Did you:

Use your time well?

Explain your topic clearly so others could understand?

Do what the assignment required?

Would another presentation method have worked better?

Did you do your best?