1. Steps in the Research Process http://research-steps.wikispaces.com/home
1. Defining the task Research Project
Calculator
Keep Up with the Process https://rpc.elm4you.org
Use an original teacher-made checklist /templates/196
or
Getting Started
Template
http://libguides.csd.k12.nh.
us/content.php?
pid=84329&sid=893260
Choose A Topic If a topic is not assigned,
choose a topic that
interests you.
Locate Background Information Use encyclopedias and
other reference tools
both online and in print
to gain some depth in
your topic.
• Wikipedia
• Answers.com
2. Selecting resources and gathering information Keyword Helper
Research Strategy • http://www.l
ib.utexas.ed
• Keywords are So Important u/keywords/
index.php
Topic what would have happened if the south had
won the Civil war • http://woodbur
y.sau57.libguide
s.com/content.
Key governmen economy slaves the North php?
Concepts t pid=349222&si
d=2856911
Related Constitutio Jobs Freedom international
Keywords n adopted relevance
or ignored international racism
trade relation with
foriegn economic South
policy currency success
after government
political freedom
parties
•

2. • • Define Research Questions Search Tools
http://sdst.libguides.co
m/content.php?
pid=184760&sid=155848
6
http://toolsforsearch.wi
kispaces.com/
Think about what you
want to know.
Googling "malaria" really
doesn't help you when
you aren't sure what you
need. Think of research
as fill in the blanks. For
example, some research
questions on malaria
might be:
• What is the
incidence of
malaria
world-wide
and are
some areas
hit harder
than others?
• How does
malaria
affect the
body?
• What
treatments
are available
and how do
they work?
• What
environment
al factors
contribute to
conditions
favorable to
the spread
of malaria?
When you know what
you want, it is easier to
know when you have
found it.
A list of research
questions will help you
to know when your
research is done.
Search Poster
http://springfieldlibrary.
wikispaces.com/Search+
Poster

3. • • Find Experts Are there
organizations or
authors who might be
experts on your
subject? Learn about
recent developments
and see what's
important to scholars
in your area of
interest.
• • Identify a Variety of Information Sources Use Library databases
and the EHS Catalog to
find information on your
topic.
https://www.ehsbr.org/
podium/default.aspx?
t=131572
Web Searching – Where
to Search
Books
Web
Databases
Database vs Websites
http://libguides.ensworth.c
om/content.php?
pid=201826&sid=1695416
3. Organizing and Analyzing information You must develop a
critical eye when doing
Evaluate Information serious research.
Question assumptions.
Question methods.
Question conclusions.
Question everything!
Remember to ask the
following questions:
• What are the
credentials of
the author of
the work? Does
this make
him/her an
expert?
• What is the
purpose of the
work and is it
biased? Be sure
to balance your
research among
different
viewpoints if
you are
researching
something
controversial.

4. Part of making
a good
argument is
knowing your
opponent.
• Are stated
assumptions
and conclusions
grounded in
factual
evidence and
can you verify
those facts?
• Are other
experts in
agreement?
Take Efficient Notes Noodletools
http://tinyurl.com/9dw
y9t8
Cite and Document
4. Creating a product and communicating findings Now that you have all
your information, you
Write Paper/Project should be able to write
your paper. Be sure to
follow your instructor's
guidelines for the
assignment.
Guidelines
http://owl.english.purdu
e.edu/owl/resource/587
/1/
Fill in Guide on Writing a
Research Paper
http://tinyurl.com/8s7rd
6c
Peer Review Have one or two
classmates review the
first draft of your paper.
Here are some guiding
questions that will help
them provide you with
good feedback.
1. List the main
ideas of the
paper in the
order in which
they appear.
Does the order
make sense?
2. Name three
weak areas of
the paper
where a

5. statement is
made that is
either not fully
explained or
supported.
3. Name three
jargon words
that are not
adequately
defined.
4. List three
questions that
you still have on
the topic (that
might
contribute to a
more
"complete"
paper).
5. State the topic
as you
understand it in
three
sentences.
Research Paper Template http://libguides.csd.k12.
nh.us/content.php?
pid=84329&sid=893260
Sources: Joyce Valenza
http://library.harrisburgu.edu/research http://sdst.libguides.com/r
Harrisburg University and David Runyon esearchtools
http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=556712&backurl=/shelf/my