Research Overview & Guides
This section contains resources that speak to the entire resource process. Start with Ms. M's Prezi, "The Research Journey." If you still need more guidance, check some of the others.
A 6-step modular tour through the research process, created by Ms. M. She recommends that you watch the entire thing from beginning to end. After that you can revisit as needed, clicking on those elements that address a specific need as you engage in the research process. There are links to online resources and video throughout. When you click them though, it will open a new tab in your browser. Once you're done checking out the resource or video, click on the forward arrow to move on to the next segment of the presentation. If there was more than one link, and you want to check out the others, just use the back arrow to revisit that segment.
Stage 1: Selecting Your Topic
This is a thorough tutorial of the basic Boolean operators from the library at The University of Auckland. It demonstrates how to input your search terms in a variety of different search interfaces, including online search engine like Google, as well as advanced search engine fields in online databases.
Can be used in student handout at beginning of year.
Very clear graphic illustration of how the basic Boolean operators work. Use in conjunction with video for better understanding. Teachers: evaluate for use in "Research Toolkit."
Stage 2: Resource Selection & Evaluation
Includes tutorials/guides on search strategies (i.e.- boolean operators), and understanding scholarly journal articles.
"ThinkTank is designed to help students develop a Research Organizer (a list of topics and subtopics) for reports and projects. Based on the subject assigned, the students can refine it by choosing from a variety of suggestions and by using a random subtopic generator. This helps students learn how to refine a subject so that it is more manageable for Internet research."
This is a very well-organized, comprehensive guide that covers all the boolean searching strategies. It also points out that the boolean operator "and" is implied in many databases, including Google. For those of you in your junior and senior years, this is a great resource for you to have in your proverbial "backpocket." It covers database searching, and some of the more advanced search strategies you'll need to understand in college.
Apply the CRAAP test to any resource you are considering using for a research project, or if you simply want your views or opinions taken seriously.
Great, interactive tutorial from Beacon Learning Center. It's geared towards 6-8, but if you're having trouble understanding the concept, this may be just what the doctor ordered.
3. Creating Your Thesis
Example of an expository (explanatory) thesis statement:
4. Writing Your First Draft
Well-written and organized guide, written by Vinetta Bell, University of NC at Chapel Hill. Ms. M highly recommends this primer for both students and teachers. You can also use Perdue's "Online Writing Lab" (OWL). These are the 2 best general guides to research & writing I've evaluated.
From the excellent "A Writing Process," by Vinetta Bell, and part of the larger LEARN NC program at the University of N. Carolina, Chapel Hill, which "provides lesson plans, professional development, and innovative web resources to support teachers, build community, and improve K-12 education in North Carolina. I highly recommend "A Writing Process" to both students and teachers.
5. Revise, Edit & Proofread
Databases, Directories, Archives, Catalogs, and Indexes
This section contains resources that you will find useful when searching for authoritative content for research projects/assignments.
The largest directory on the web. Digitally curated by netizens who trawl particular topics. Don't forget to verify any content you choose to use.
Search for "Victorian." Several results, several look interesting, For instance, the "Database of Mid-Victorian wood-engraved illustration." If you click on it, you can search by keyword. I plugged in "toys." Would you have thought that the "Iowa Digital Library" would contain some Victorian resources? Check out their "Victorian Trading Cards." Nice way to get a sense of the culture during the Victorian era. These are all primary sources.
"The Center for Effective Government, a nonprofit research and advocacy organization, was formed as OMB Watch in 1983 to lift the veil of secrecy shrouding the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). OMB oversees federal regulation, the budget, information collection and dissemination, proposed legislation, testimony by agencies, and much more. While OMB's actions were having an enormous impact on agency operations and the pursuit of social justice, it remained largely behind the scenes - unaccountable and little understood by the public and public interest groups. By explaining governmental processes and monitoring OMB, the Center for Effective Government helped bring sunshine to this powerful and secretive agency." It can be confusing, but well worth it. Check out the tutorials for help.
Use Google Scholar in addition, not instead of the LRC's databases. You'll have to scroll through the results to find full-text versions of academic articles. Look for "PDF" on the right side of the result.
"Use GovTrack to keep tabs on your representatives in Congress or to research pending legislation that might impact your life or business."
Almost 2 million public domain volumes from over 50 libraries & major research institutions worldwide. Click on the "Collections" header tab. There's a very good collection of primary & secondary material on Alexander Hamilton, America's first Secretary of the Treasury. He was killed by Aaron Burr in a duel. You can narrow the search results to only those resources that provide full-text.
Remember, this is all content that's in the public domain, meaning it's at least 77 years old. Good resource for historical research.
9th graders: try plugging your subject into the search bar. If nothing comes up, try searching the the keywords "renaisance" and "europe." These are digitized books, so they count as print resources.
"The Internet Archive is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that was founded to build an Internet library. Its purposes include offering permanent access for researchers, historians, scholars, people with disabilities, and the general public to historical collections that exist in digital format." Include, moving images; audio; documents; etc. 9th graders: try plugging your subject into the search bar. If nothing comes up, try searching the the keywords "renaisance" and "europe." If you're working on a project (e.g.- "The Museum of Victoriana"), try plugging in "victorian" and see what resources turn up. The Wayback Machine often archives blogs. You may use content from blogs, but make sure the creator is reputable (look for "about" page), and that the content is well-sourced. If not, you MUST CORROBORATE any info use with other credible sources.
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This topic-categorized list contains resources (guidance and tools) that will help you throughout all the stages of the research process. The topics align with the research stages of Ms. M's Prezi, "The Research Journey," which is one of the resources in the list.
Updated on Feb 17, 17
Created on Aug 22, 14
Category: Schools & Education
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