|
Getting it Done - Six Steps to Success
Being an effective researcher is becoming increasingly important, especially in today's world where
information overload is so common. Follow the steps below as a guide to 'getting it done'!
Step 1 What needs to be done? (task definition)
Define the problem / research task
- What does your teacher want you to do?
- Ask for explanation for anything unclear or vague about the task.
- Restate the assignment in your own words and ask your teacher if you are correct.
Identify the information you need
- What information do you need in order to do the task?
- What do you already know?
- What more do you need to find out?
Step 2 Brainstorm to determine the range of resources
- In what resources will you find the needed / best information? Make a list of all possible resources: check the
library catalog, encyclopedias, eLibrary, etc.
- Be ready to be PERSISTENT in your search - to look thoroughly in book indexes and tables of contents to use several keywords
for the information you are looking for.
- Do you need help to find the resources or to make sure you haven't overloooked any? Ask your Librarian / teacher
for help.
Step 3 Where Can I find my needed information? (location & access)
Locate sources and find information within them
- Make a list of words (keywords) that will help you find information within your sources. Keywords are like synonyms
and related words to your topic.
- Act on your strategy for locating the information you need within each type of resource:
Books - look at the index (usually in back of book) and / or table of contents (front of book) for your topic and keywords.
Encyclopedias - look at the index volume for topic and keywords
Online Databases - type either you topic or keywords in the search box. Refine your search as needed, try different
keywords separately and some together. Try putting keywords in quotes.
Search Engines - same strategy as online databases. Check if keywords in quotations narrow your search results.
- While locating information, can you identify better keywords to refine your search?
- Have you examined sources for accuracy, credibility, bias, and relevance?
- Have you examined sources for accuracy, credibility, bias and relevance?
Step 4 Engage the Source (read, listen, view)
- If you can't understand your source, ask someone to help you (another adult, research partner, classmate).
- You may not need to read, listen, or view ALL material in each book, article, or website. Remember you are looking
for specific information you need. Read the first two sentences of every paragraph to decide if that paragraph has answers
for your questions.
Take out the relevant information from a source
- This means note taking - writing down the words and phrases, in your own words, which answer your questions.
- Merely printing is NOT taking relevant information from a source.
NOTE: until you read (engage) the information, you have not done this step of the research!
Step 5 Organize your information from multiple sources
- Decide how you will put together your notes and add your own ideas and insights about the topic. Ways to do this
include:
- Writing a rough draft
- Building an outline
- Creating a storyboard
- Drawing a sketch
- Do you see any patterns emerging in the information you collected?
- How can you organize this information so that it makes sense to you and others?
- Do you have enough information?
Present the information
- Remember to follow the guidelines your teacher has given you.
- Who is your audience? How can you most effectively share this information with this audience
- Include your own ideas and insights with information you found during your research.
- Create a product that you would be proud to show to anyone - proofread and edit your project.
- Include a bibliography.
Step 6 Judge your product
- Did you do and include everything that was required of your task?
- Did you meet the guidelines of your teacher's rubric?
- Did you give credit to all of your sources?
- Is your work neat, and complete?
- Are you proud of the product?
Judge your information problem solving process
- What skills did you learn that you can use again?
- Which information sources were most useful?
- What information sources did you need but could not find?
- What would you do differently next time you do research?
|
