Steps to follow when researching

Created by Year 10 Class of 2015

St. Columba College

Stage 1- Define (Preparing)

 

What do I need to find out?   Where do I start? (Plan) 

Underline keywords and pointsNote the due dateDefine words Brainstorm keywords/subject headings related to the topicRead through the task a few times- reword and & analyseBreak the task into smaller questions/tasks & subheadingsAsk questions for clarificationRe-write questionsDecide how work will be presentedPlan the structure (intro, paragraphs, conclusion)Make a to-do list (steps to follow)Time goals – outlineBrainstorm – mind map (What do I know/what do I need to know?)

What information do I really need to use?

Stage 2: Locate & Select (Sifting & Choosing)

Select sources of information to use- suitability, currency, appropriatenessBibliography starts here

Are you having trouble finding appropriate sources?

If so, return to Define and re-examine the task or brainstorm alternative keywords.

Where can I locate

resources?

Hint: if using Wikipedia, scroll down to their list of sources.

Compile possible sources in a list to use for research and bibliography

Search for sources and statistics to expand knowledge on task

• Use internet, books & notes

• Ask professional people

Do the sources answer my questions?

Collect ideas/quotes

Stage 3 : Organise (Sorting & recording)

How can I best use this information?

Refer to the questions you re-wrote in the Definition stage

Start to decide what information will be collectedDecide how notes will be collected (Teachers may request evidence of note-taking)• Data Charts/Note-taking organiser • Cornell note-taking • Use of Headings & sub-heading

Look at past notes and include existing knowledgeAdd sources to bibliography as you note-takeBegin note-taking: • Use key points• Dot points• A variety of sources• Quote accurately

Annotate and analyse textOrganise notes (colours to math topics, subheading & sections, logical order)Discuss and collaborate with othersSeek further advice/ Ask questions

What note-taking style best suits your needs?

Examples:

Cornell note (lectures)

School data organiser – collating from various sources (good for assignments/research)

Use of Headings/sub-headings (planning essays/assignments)

Mind map (excellent for tests)

Brainstorm (visula representation of prior knowledge and what you need to find out)

If you haven’t got enough information, return to Define or Locate & Select and re-examine the questions and further your search.

Stage 4: Present (Synthesising & communicating)

What is the best way to present my information?

Synthesise notes

Write draft in own words (always revising as you go along)

Recheck teacher’s guidelines- questions

Double check answers – have I answered the question

Edit (Proof read) -spell check, grammar, flow, sense & purpose

Do the paragraphs need more depth and detail?

Conference – teacher/peer

Final copy

• Make suggested changes

• Check that all sources and quotes are included in the bibliography. (Planner p. 17-20; Online Reference Generator)

What does the bibliography look like?

• It follows the school Bibliography guide• It is based on the Harvard System• It is in alphabetical order• It includes all resources used (including

information, ideas & quotes)• It is one long list• (Planner p. 17-20;

Online Reference Generator)

BibliographyAustralia 2010, Country map, MapQuest, [Online image] http://www.mapquest.co.uk/mq/maps/mapAddress.do (Accessed 11 March 2013).

Earthquake 2013, in Encyclopaedia Britannica, http://www.school.eb.com.au/all/comptons/article-9274104?query=earthquake&ct=null (Accessed 11 February 2013).

Greenpeace. n.d. Global warming? [Online] http://www.sofcom.com.au/Greenpeace (Accessed 6 Nov. 2013).

Jacaranda Atlas. 2010. 7th ed. John Wiley & Son, Milton, Qld.

Kahlo, Frida. 1993. "Self portrait with Necklace of Thorns". Oil on canvas. As reproduced in Andrea Kettenmann, Frida Kahlo 1907-1954 : Pain and Passion. Benedikt Taschen.Koln. Plate 29.

Lawrence, D. H. 2008, In The New Encyclopaedia Britannica, Encyclopaedia Britannica. Macropaedia, Chicago, v 10, pp 722-725.

Picasso, Pablo. 1937. Weeping Woman. Oil on canvas. National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne.

Riddell, R. 1991. Adolescence and families. Longman Cheshire, Melbourne.

Schauble, J. 2012. Once No.1 with a bullet, China turns to lethal injections. The Age,3 October, 2013.

Vietnam Australia's War. [DVD]. 2007. Produced by Mark Phillips. 27 min. Video Education Australasia.

What is genetic engineering? 2012. [Online]. http://www.aba.asn.au/leaf2.html (Accessed 7 Nov. 2013).

Wikipedia. 2013. Ned Kelly. [Online] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ned_Kelly (Accessed 23 October 2013)

If you need to add more information/detail, return to Organise.

Stage 5: Evaluate (Reflecting & Assessing)

How well did you do at each stage?

What stages do I need to improve? How?

1. Define - Preparing

What do I really want to find out?

2. Locate & Select – FindingWhere can I find the

information?

3.Organise – Sorting & recording

How can I best use this information?

4.Present - synthesising & communication

What is the best way to present this

information?

5.Evaluate – reflecting & assessing

What did I learn from this?

ResearchProcess skills (Year 10)

BibliographyBerkowitz, B & Eisenberg.M. n/d. Information Literacy & critical thinking for students. (Online) http://big6.com/pages/information-literacy.php (Date accessed 19 Mar. 2014)

St. Columba College (Year 10). 2014. ‘How do you begin research workshop’ 14th March 2014

Todd, R. 2014, National Forum on International Literacy (Online) http://infolit.org/dr-ross-j-todd/ (Accessed 26 Mar. 2014)