Session Outline: 1. Research Strategy - the 8 steps including: Finding information on the subject...

Research Skills

Session Outline:1. Research Strategy - the 8 steps including:

Finding information on the subject guideSearching the library catalogueSearching online databasesSearching for and evaluating information

from the WebCollecting details of your information

sources for your Reference List

2. Report Structure© Central Institute of Technology 2013

What are the 8 Steps?

© Central Institute of Technology 2013

RESEARCH

STRATEGY

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Step 1: AnalyseSet Topic:

When you are given a written assessment, read through it carefully. Before you start looking for information, be sure you understand what you are looking for.

Analyse the topic to determine the approach being asked for. Are you being asked to: Compare? Review? Discuss? Contrast? Summarise? Explain?

Own Topic:Ask yourself - What do I already know about the topic?

Are there parts of the topic that I need to learn about? Are there opposing points of view about the topic?


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Consider the following:How is it to be presented – report format, video

recording?

What are the assessment requirements – how many words, how long the recording?

How many and what type of resources are to be used?

How current does the information need to be?


Step 2: Translate

“As a legal translator what issues will there be when interpreting for people of different cultures?”


Identify the concepts and keywords and underline them.

You can use a thesaurus to identify alternate keywords…

Identify the search terms… As a legal translator what issues will there be when interpreting for people of different cultures?

Concept 1 Concept 2 Concept 3

legal interpreting different cultures

or or orlaw translator cross cultural communication

or or orcourtroom translating cultural factors

or or

translation cultural differences


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Step 3: Begin your searchA useful place to start your research is to use reference sources such as dictionaries, glossaries, thesauri or encyclopaedias.

Check the Reference Collection in the Library or use online sources: Dictionaries/Glossaries provide definitions and help you to

understand the terminology.Thesauri provide synonyms or alternate terms for searching.Encyclopaedias give a general overview of a topic, providing

background information.


http://www.sxc.hu/photo/931217

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Step 4: Search for detailed informationUse your keywords (or alternate terms) to search the

Library Catalogue for factual, in-depth information from books, DVDs and journal titles.

When searching the catalogue remember to limit your search to Perth campus.

Alternatively browse at relevant call numbers.

If you can’t find what you need, consider requesting an inter-library loan.


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Step 5: Online DatabasesSearch for current, reliable information in databases

such as Ebsco or ProQuest.

Access them from the Databases/ Journals page on the subject guide – you will need to login if off-campus.

Tips for searching databases:Use a various combinations of your search terms Select full-text when conducting your search Include a date range to ensure current informationRead the summary to see if the article is relevant


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Step 6: Search the WebTips:Learn how to use the Advanced Google search option to

get better results by targeting your searches.

Use smart searching techniques such as quotation marks to search for phrases, e.g. “courtroom interpreting”, “cross cultural communication”.

Examine the URL to determine the reliability of the site.


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Step 7: Evaluate and select or discard your resultsAsk yourself these questions…

√ Is the information correct?√ Is the information relevant?√ Is the information reliable? (who is the

author/sponsor?)√ Is the information up-to-date?√ Is the information free from bias? (is it trying to

persuade?)√ Is it what I need?


REMEMBER:When evaluating information from websites, it can be

difficult to determine the reliability of the information. Unlike most print sources where the information has been

edited before it is published, information on the Internet is mostly unfiltered.

There is little control over the material and anyone can create a website on any topic, whether or not they have training or experience in the subject field.

A lot of the information on the Internet is commercial or personal.


List of Organisational Types List of Country Codes

.com commercial .au Australia

.edu education .nz New Zealand

.gov government .uk United Kingdom

.net network .de Germany

.org organisation no code USA

Generally, the websites that have .edu or .gov in the URL will be more reliable.

If you want Australian sites, add .au to your search.

UNDERSTANDING URL CODES


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Step 8: Collect the details of everything you are going to use in your report

Remember:It's always best practice to keep a list of your references

as you write the paper – a working bibliography. You will need to cite any information or graphics you use

in your report.See information on referencing using the APA style on the

subject guide.


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REPORT STRUCTURE

Abstract - provides a summary of the question being investigated and an overview of the whole report . (Compose the abstract after you have completed the written report.)

Background - the purpose and scope of the report and what it covers.

Methodology - outline how the information was obtained: Some reports require observation, interviews, surveys, questionnaires. Others consist of research by using books, journal articles, the Internet.

Results - describe what you found in the investigation.Conclusions - includes an interpretation and evaluation of the

results of the research. Reference List - list your information sources.Appendices - supporting material or evidence is placed in the

appendices to avoid cluttering the body of the report.© Central Institute of Technology 2013

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Remember!If you require further assistance:

Ask at the Library Service Desk

Email: [email protected]


mailto:[email protected]

Session Outline: 1. Research Strategy - the 8 steps including: Finding information on the subject...

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