13 Planning and Writing a Research Paper. 2 2 Learning Outcomes Discover a meaningful research...
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Transcript of 13 Planning and Writing a Research Paper. 2 2 Learning Outcomes Discover a meaningful research...
13Planning and Writing a Research
Paper
22
Learning Outcomes
• Discover a meaningful research subject.
• Narrow your research subject.
• Create a researchable question.
• Write a preliminary thesis.
• Locate library and Internet sources.
• Conduct primary research through a survey or interview.
• Take notes from research materials.
• Create an outline.• Compose a first
draft of your research paper.
33Discovering a Research Subject (LO13.1)
• Find a suitable topic.• Understand the parameters.• Know what is acceptable.• Select your topic carefully.• Pick a topic that is interesting and
meaningful to you.• Utilize various methods to find a topic.
44Narrowing a research subject (LO 13.2)
• Narrow your broad topic.• Know the assignment requirements to help
you decide how to narrow your topic.• Consider the length of the assignment.• Know the number and type of sources
required.• Know the assignment deadline.
55Creating a Researchable Question (LO 13.3)
• A researchable question serves as a guide to the research process.
• An effective researchable question helps to develop a thesis.
• Determine what you know about your subject.
• Decide what you would like to know.• You can go back and revise your question
after you start the preliminary research.
66Write a Preliminary Thesis Statement (LO 13-4)
• A researchable questions cannot replace the thesis statement.
• Draft a working thesis.• Make sure your thesis includes your
subject and your opinion.• The working thesis will help you select
sources.• You may refine your thesis later as you
gather new ideas from your research.
77Library and Internet Sources (LO 13-5)
• Computerized Card Catalog– You can determine if the item is available or
checked out.– Search by title, author, ISBN, or subject.– Type key words to find what you need.– Spell the words correctly.– Try different key words until you find what you
need.– Use “and,” “or,” or “not” to help narrow a
search.– Print or jot down important information about
your sources.– Use the information to help locate the source
on the shelf.
88The Stacks (LO 13-5 contd.)
– Use the call number on the spine of the books to locate your sources.
– Determine how the library organizes its shelves.• The Dewey Decimal System divides
subjects into ten categories.• The Library of Congress Classification uses
twenty lettered categories.– Look at the books nearby to determine if they
may be useful.– If you can’t locate a book, ask the reference
librarian for help.
99Periodicals (LO 13-5 contd.)
• Periodicals include magazines, newspapers, and journals.
• Periodicals are good sources.• They contain precise and up-to-date information.• Magazines and newspapers tend to be more
general.• Journals are more in-depth.• Current periodicals are organized alphabetically
by title.• Old issues may be bound together and kept in the
stacks.
1010Computerized Databases (LO 13-5 contd.)
• Check with your librarian to find out if a specific database is available.
• If a database is available, ask the librarian for a password.
• When you locate possible sources, read abstracts of the articles.
• Email articles to yourself that may be helpful.• Make sure to use the full article not just the
abstract.• Some databases include: Info Trac, ProQuest,
LexisNexis, eLibrary, and eGlobal Library.
1111Reference Materials (LO 13-5 contd.)
• Most reference materials cannot be checked out.
• Do not use reference materials as primary sources.
• Online reference materials are also available.
• Be aware that Wikipedia is not a credible source for a research paper.
• Go to the web site of the American Library Association.
1212
Resources (contd.)
• Audiovisual materials are non-print media.– You may find useful
sources in this section of the library.
– The shelves are usually organized alphabetically and by type.
– Ask your librarian for help if you are unable to find what you need.
• Internet searches– Use as a
supplement to your traditional sources.
– You can access sources by using a Web browser.
– Search engines can help you find what you need.
– Remember, search engines are not sources.
1313Tips for Conducting Online Research (LO 13.5 contd.)
• Spell your search words correctly.• Use Boolean Logic to make your search more
precise.– Use “and” to look for sources that contain both
terms.– Use “or” to look for any of two or more words.– Use “not” to exclude one or more words.
• Click on hyperlinks to get more information.• Use the “back” and “forward” arrows to navigate
Web pages.• Bookmark or print out useful sources.
1414Evaluating Sources (LO 13.6)
• Author and publisher– Look to see if the
author has the appropriate credentials.
– Make sure the publisher and/or the Web site is reputable.
• Date– Check to see when the
information was published or posted.
– If the information is too old for your topic, find more current information.
• References– Check to see if the
author documented sources.
– Check to see if the source included a bibliography.
– If no sources are provided, you may consider looking for other sources.
1515Evaluating Sources (contd.)
• Bias– Make sure the information provided is fair.– Determine if the author may have an agenda.
• Effectiveness– Decide if the content is useful.– Determine if the organization is clear and
logical.– Check for information accuracy.
1616
Taking Notes (LO 13.7)
• Summarizing is condensing ideas from articles, chapters, or passages using your own words.– Include main ideas but
not specific details.– After writing a
summary, go back to the original to check accuracy.
– Summarizing helps in managing large amounts of information.
• Paraphrasing is restating a sentence or passage in your own words.– Your goal is to revise
the original and keep every idea.
– Change the sentence structure and word choice.
– Don’t overuse paraphrasing in your paper.
– Paraphrasing is helpful when the original is complex or technical.
1717
Taking Notes (contd.)
• Quoting is taking someone’s exact words and putting quotation marks around them.– Quoting should be used sparingly.– Only use a quote due to vivid wording or to
show an authority’s words.– Make sure to copy the statement word for
word.– Use an ellipsis (...) if you omit words.– Don’t alter the intended meaning of the author.– If the original passage contains an error use
(sic) immediately after.
1818Primary Research (LO 13.8)
• Surveys are questionnaires intended to gain information from people who are familiar with the research topic.– Clarify your purpose by knowing exactly what
you want to gain.– Choose your participants carefully.– Set clear expectations for the respondents.– Design effective questions.– Compile and interpret the results.
1919Primary Research (contd.)
• Personal Interviews– Clarify your purpose.– Choose your interviewee carefully.– Determine how you will conduct the interview.– Prepare your questions ahead of time.– Be courteous to the interviewee.– Take thorough notes during the interview.
2020Creating an Outline (LO 13.9)
• Select the major points.• The outline is the framework of your entire
paper.• Be flexible during the writing process if all
points aren’t covered from the outline.
2121
Composing (LO 13.10)
• Write a first draft of your research paper.• Consider your Rhetorical Star.• Follow the steps of the writing process.• Make sure your voice is strong within your
paper.• You may need additional paragraphs to
support each point.• Cite your sources.