The Research Process

What's essential when you're deciding on a research topic?

• that you like the topic

• that there's a web site on the topic

• that there's a lot of videos on the topic

• that no one has heard of the topic

You are doing research in a large public library. What source would you not expect to find there?

• an encyclopedia

• the Internet

• old letters

• journal articles

What is an example of a primary source?

• a textbook

• an academic journal

• an encyclopedia

• a diary

Which website would be considered the most credible?

• one sponsored by a club

• one sponsored by a college

• one sponsored by a person

• one sponsored by a store

Why is it important for you to take notes?

• So you can decide if you want to pursue the topic.

• So you can memorize the facts.

• So you can give credit for your own ideas.

• So you can organize your paper.

What is the purpose of the bibliography?

• To define words the reader may not know.

• To tell the reader where find specific ideas in your paper.

• To tell where your facts and quotes came from.

• To give credit to your librarian for helping you.

Why would you do pre-search?

• to evaluate possible research topics

• to judge the credibility of sources

• to provide a list of sources used

• to organize your notes

When should you cite a source?

• each time you write an idea that is your own

• each time you write a fact or idea that's not your own

• each time you write a word that the reader may not know

• each time you include your own photo or drawing

How do you show that a sentence is a quote from another source?

• underline it

• put it in boldface

• put it in italics

• surround it with quotation marks

Which statement is true?

• If you quote less than three lines from a book, you don't have to cite it.

• If you quote information from a web site, you don't have to cite it.

• If you quote information from a print or digital source, you must cite it.

• If you state your opinion in your research paper, you must cite it.