Research Process

Momilani Library Mission and Goals Map and Dewey Decimal arrangement Graded Reading Lists Expectations by Grade Level Community Resources References Genres New & Notable Resources Research Process Announcements & Activities Useful Forms Projects Values Education Trivia Challenge Kids' Book Reviews How to Use the Internet Favorite Websites

Guide to Research (adapted from The New York Public Library Kid's Guide to Research, 1999, by Deborah Heiligman) Also check out Research Assistant and Oregon School Library and Basic Steps in the Research Process and I've Got a Question. Choosing a Topic Do some thinking, reading, browsing, and hunting Ask for suggestions Does the topic interest you? Will you find enough information? (Check to see if there are books, magazines, articles on this topic) Think about your assignment and see if your topic meets the requirements Going to the Library (try "Starting Your Library Research") Be prepared - understand your assignment and bring necessary supplies (paper, pencil, notebook) Allow plenty of time Ask your librarian for help - to find information, to use the catalog, to locate items you need Be patient and courteous Reference Books Dictionaries Almanacs, atlases, field guides, biographical dictionaries, telephone books, quotation books, thesauruses Encyclopedias - general and specific (use keywords,index, and cross references to get information on your topic) How to Take Notes (use "Fact Frenzy") Get something to write on - cards, spiral notebook, grids Keep a list of your sources - for your bibliography Write down anything that you think you can use in your report Note the source for the information Make some quick notes if you are not sure you need it Books on Specific Topics Use the catalog (lists all the resources in the library) You can search by subject - spelling is important, use limiters (like dates), use Boolean operators (and, or, not between keywords), try synonyms for different keywords Write down the call numbers Judging a Book's Usefulness Check the table of contents and index Check the book for readability Check for glossary Check the copyright date Then start reading the book - you can scan and skim first Are the illustrations accurate and noteworthy? Magazines and Newspapers Many kinds of articles Use The Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature or CD-ROM index or special index on the online catalog (like Newspaper Index) Read the article and also look at the pictures, charts, graphs, diagrams Vertical file - has news clippings and pamphlets, maps, other information Visual Research Photographs, illustrations, diagrams, and other pictures - in magazines, books, newspapers, encyclopedias, CD-ROM software, Internet, museums, archives, pamphlets, etc. Videos, movies, and tv Maps You can make copies or scan or download from a computer to print The Internet Give yourself plenty of time Check out Internet guides or yellow pages and directories Use a search engine and do a subject search (keyword) Look at e-mail and mailing lists Use magazines and newspapers on-line Join newsgroups and chat rooms Searching Tips on the Internet Refine your search (narrow or broaden) Use more than one search engine Choose the sites to look at - read the descriptions on the hits Don't waste time and get sidetracked Check your spelling Find other keywords and use Boolean operators Judging the Reliability of Sources How up-to-date is the information? Has the author cited sources? Do you see any mistakes or discrepancies? Is it well written and complete? Is the source well-balanced (not opinionated)? Is there an e-mail address? Use at least three sources - to check for consistency Sending Away for Information You can get books, pamphlets, maps, illustrations, photographs, and other print materials by sending away for them Write to historic sites, museums, government agencies, businesses, organizations, and associations Write to tourist bureaus, chambers of commerce, companies, banks, publishers, sports teams, zoos Research Trips Visit other libraries - special kinds like a medical or law or museum library Look into special collections Visit historical societies, museums, historical sites, zoos, companies, businesses, factories, stores Look at archives (primary sources such as letters, papers, official documents, photos, objects) Interviewing People To find people - ask around, use your sources, the yellow pages, The Encyclopedia of Associations (for experts), the Internet Set up the interview Have your questions ready Conduct the interview - use a tape recorder, take notes Thank the interviewee Do a follow-up interview if needed Surveys Are a good way to get information from a large number of people Decide - what you hope to find out, whom the survey will be given to, how many people will be asked, and who will help you Write the survey then conduct it Tabulate and present the results Hands-on Research Observations Experiments Cooking and eating Making and doing things yourself Pat Yourself on the Back Organize and write out your report according to specifications or requirements Include a bibliography or listing of sources used Evaluate your work - can you improve upon the report Reflect on what you learned and gained Share Parts of a Report Title page Dedication Introduction Table of contents Topics and subtopics (You can follow an outline) Conclusion Bibliography Pictures, diagrams, photos, etc. Bibliography (Credits and Citations) Arranged alphabetically Usually includes - author(s), title of article and source (book, newspaper, magazine, Internet address), place of publication and publishing company, copyright date, pages Several styles - check out HCC Library MLA Citation Examples and Easybib and Noodletools and Slate Citation Machine The Big Six Welcome to Big6.com and Big Six Skills and The Nuts and Bolts of Big6 Pathways to Knowledge (Follett's Information Skills Model) A+ Research & Writing Information Literacy Process Model Copyright and Intellectual Property (jointhecteam.com)

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Kunimitsu
mkunimit@k12.hi.us
Date Last Modified: 11/21/12