Preparing for your research (from Guide to learning independently)
- Selecting relevant material - draw up list of main points and search terms when analysing material. If you have time, peripheral info handy to get a wider overview of the topic; sometimes an idea can be illuminated with material from an unexpected source; look for material that is not obvious - avoid 'tunnel vision'.
- Evaluating your selection - according to your objectives and its complexity
- Buy, copy or borrow material?
- Previewing research material - be especially careful with material on the internet (a "free-for-all"). Also start thinking about how research materials will be recorded, stored and retrieved.
- Thinking about your audience - different genre's acceptable?]
As you work with material
- Questioning and evaluating - interpret primary and secondary sources confidently. Above all, trust your own intelligence and common sense in questioning and evaluating research material.
- Selecting, recording and filing information - always back up your research material. Read material and edit notes before you file them, no point keeping stuff that is not useful.
- Organising and integrating ideas and information
- Write a tentative thesis/theme of your essay, keep this in front of you as you work
- Write each of the possible main points as a heading. Enter relevant information and ideas under each heading.
- As you work, add new heading if you decide on another major point, re-organise and delete material as necessary.
- Check number of major points you want to make against the essay length and time available. It is better to have fewer points that are well backed-up than many points that are only covered superficially.
- Check that each main point supports thesis/theme and clearly relevant to topic/question. - Expressing your ideas - talking to others helps sort out your ideas and put them into words; write things down as you think of them to help you capture an idea you may use later. Trying to express your current thoughts accurately can lead you to other useful ideas.
Towards the end of your research
- Your revised definition - review your written statement about the essay objectives and produce a revised definition; re-analyse the topic or question. Compare the definitions - is anything missing, does your revised definition still reflect your objectives for the essay. Make sure you are answering the set question or sticking to the set topic. Remember that focusing your written work around a thesis is a fundamental expectation for argumentative essays.
"An assignment is designed for a specific, limited purpose, rather than to find out all you are ever likely to know on a topic. Analysing a question and researching a topic should enable you to select from your current knowledge of that topic, even if your knowledge continues to grow and expand in areas far beyond the focus of your assignment." (Marshall, 2006 p.112)
Research Skills
- Technique?
- only look for material that relates to your analysis of the question
- refer to study materials for a starting point
- look under relevant subject headings in library catalogue
- check references mentioned in lectures - Secondary sources?
- websites, books, journals, newspapers, lectures, television programs, microfilm etc - Primary sources?
- experiment data, ABS, interviews, original manuscripts, contemporary records - Usefulness?
- keep question in mind throughout
- use effective reading skills - previewing, skim reading - Problems?
- books not available
- too much information
- too little information - How to deal with problems?
- Recording information?
- keep bibliographical details on all info
- only make notes that are relevant
- only photocopy absolutely useful stuff - Organising information?
- develop system before you begin
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