Table of Contents (Detailed)
Step by Step Research & Writing
Why the Step by Step Approach?
Step 1 – Getting Started – preparing for the assignment and getting ready to choose a topic
1.1 Understand the assignment
1.2 Consider the process you’ll use
1.3 Set deadlines for each step of the assignment
1.4 Think about possible topics
1.5 Info Search – browse, read, relax
1.6 Relate your prior experience and learning
1.7 Jot down your questions and ideas about possible topics
1.8 Brainstorm, alone and with others
Scheduling Your Project – a worksheet to print out
Step 2 – Discovering and Choosing a Topic – reading to become informed
2.1 Info Search – read for overview of various topics
2.2 Continue thinking and jotting questions and ideas
2.3 Info Survey – what print and electronic resources are available?
2.4 Try different topics on for “size” – see how they fit
Step 3 – Looking for and Forming a Focus – exploring your topic
3.1 Info Search – exploring your topic
3.2 Info Search – preliminary note taking
3.3 Purposeful thinking about possible focuses
3.4 Forming a focus or combining themes to make a focus
Step 4 – Gathering Information – which clarifies and supports your focus
4.1 Info Search – finding, collecting and recording
4.2 Think about clarifying or refining your focus
4.3 Start organizing your notes
4.4 Think about what your thesis statement will be
Step 5 – Preparing to Write – analyzing and organizing your information and forming a thesis statement
5.1 Analyze and organize your information
5.2 Construct a thesis statement and try it on for size
5.3 Weed out irrelevant information
5.4 Info Search – fill in the gaps
Step 6 – Writing the Paper – writing, revising and finalizing
6.1 Think about the assignment, the audience and the purpose
6.2 Prepare an outline
6.3 Write the rough draft
6.4 Know how to use your source materials and cite them
6.5 Have others read and critique the paper
6.6 Revise and proofread
Info Search
Where’s the Information?
- Learning to Research in the Library
- Get to know your library
- Tips, tools and techniques for library research:
- Learn to browse – understand the classification scheme used by your library
- Learn how online library catalogs work
- Find out how to search for journals and newspapers at your library
- Bibliography surfing
- Consult the reference librarian for advice
- Learn about search syntax and professional search techniques
- Reference Sources in Libraries
- Learning to Research on the Web
- Cyberspace is not like your library
- Get to know the reference sources on the Web
- Tips, tools and techniques for Web research
- Understand how search engines work
- Know the difference between a search engine and a directory
- Consult the reference librarian for advice
- Learn about search syntax and professional search techniques
- Learn some essential browser skills
- Reference Sources on the Web
- Skills for Online Searching
- Learn how search syntax works – Boolean, wildcards, etc.
- Make sure you know what content you’re searching – abstract, full text
- Online resources for learning search skills
Information Found—and Not Found—on the Web
Search Strategy: Getting a Broad Overview of a Subject
Search Strategy: Finding Specific Information
Links to Online Resources
Links for Research
- Reference Sources on the Web
- Web directories and subject-classified resources
- Search engines and their “search help” pages
- Other resources for learning to research
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A+ Research & Writing for high school and college students was created by Kathryn L. Schwartz