The Research Process

How to get the information you need to create a great presentation

Pick your topic

  Assigned by the teacher Search the Internet using kid-friendly search engines  Library Spot – http://www.libraryspot.com/  KidsClick! http://www.kidsclick.org/   Kid Rex – http://www.kidrex.org/ Visit the library media center website.

Boolean searching (search engines)

   Use Use – “” when you keyword.

don’t want a keyword to be searched.

when you want to use a phrase instead of a Examples    Arctic tundra frozen Everglades -snakes “ United States ”

The Big 6 Research Process

      Task definition Information-seeking strategies Location and access Use of information Synthesis Evaluation

Step 1: Task Definition

  Define the information problem  What do I need to do?

 Ex: Which biome will I be researching?

Identify information needed  What information do I need?

 Ex: I will be creating a PowerPoint presentation on a biome.

Step 2: Information-seeking Strategies

  Determine all the possible sources  What information sources can I use?

 Ex: I’ll find information in books and online.

Select the best sources  Which information sources are the best?

 Ex: I’ll use the Internet and a book on my biome.

Step 3: Location and Access

  Locate sources (intellectually and physically)  Where can I find each source?

 Ex: I’ll look through books and web sites at the library.

Select the best sources  Which information sources are the best?

 Ex: I’ll use the Blue Planet Biomes website and a book on my biome.

Sources

  Primary  sources –first-hand information Interviewing a person   Secondary    Attending a discussion/workshop Observation of object/artifact sources – second-hand information Reference material ( see next slide ) Book (lots of information) Periodical (current events)      Databases (current events) Newspaper like Miami Herald (current events) DVD (some information) TV (current events) Internet (current events)

Reference materials

   General Background information  General encyclopedia (print or online)   World Book 2004 (print) Databases (online)  http://mdpls.org

card) (must have a public library Detail information  Specialized encyclopedia (print or online) Fine detail information    Almanacs (statistics) Atlases (maps) Guidebooks (for specific subjects)

Step 4: Use of Information

  Engage (read, hear, view, touch)  What information in each source is useful?

 Ex: I’ll gather useful information to create a rough draft of my PowerPoint presentation.

Extract relevant information  How should I record my notes?

 Ex: I’ll record my information on several slides in PowerPoint.

Evaluating your sources

      Is the information in the source related my topic?

Is the information written for my grade level ?

Is there enough for my project?

Is the information in the source up-to date ?

to information in the source Who wrote the information in the source and what are their qualifications ?

Is the information in the source trying to persuade me to think a certain way?

Relevant Information

 Find the important facts in your sources. Use note cards/slides to write each important piece of information. Put the information into your own words .

Plagiarism

   Do not copy/paste from any website. Rewrite the information in your own words .

information you get If you need to copy the information word for-word, you need to give the author credit . Use quotations and, after the copied information, write/type (author’ last name, p.#) .

Do not use pictures on the Internet that are copyrighted ( ) picture.

. This means that you do not have the right to use that

E valuate RADCAB

       Relevancy Appropriateness Detail Currency Authority Bias www.radcab.com

Step 5: Synthesis

  Organize from multiple sources  How should I organize the information to meet the requirements of my task?

 Ex: I’ll write an outline of the slides I created and cite my sources.

Present the information  Ex: I’ll create a PowerPoint presentation.

Cite your source

  Information you need to know about your source.

 Source type (book, periodical, website, etc.)     Title or article title (for a periodical) Author/webmaster Copyright Date/date website was updated Publisher/sponsor Place of publication/web address  Write all your sources in a works cited list.

 Use MLA Standards ( www.ri.net/RIEMA/bibliog.html

)  Works Cited lists should be in alphabetical order by author , or if no author, then title. A great website for making these online is http://easybib.com

.

Step 6: Evaluation

  Judge the product (effectiveness)  Is my project complete?

 Ex: I need to make sure my PowerPoint presentation is complete and I did my best work.

Judge the process (efficiency)  Did I meet each requirement?

 Ex: I need to make sure that my PowerPoint presentation includes all the requirements given by my teacher.