Conducting Effective Research

Once you have chosen your topic, created a claim, and considered possible counterclaims, you are ready to conduct a more extensive process of gathering information to support your own ideas. This process is called a research plan and without making one, you could waste hours on information that proves to be of little value. A strong research plan includes five components. Brainstorm the steps in the research process and discuss with classmates. Put the steps in order and share.

• What is the process called when you gather information to support your ideas after choosing a topic, creating a claim, and considering counterclaims?

• What are the five components of a strong research plan?

• How can you avoid wasting hours on information of little value?

• What should you do after brainstorming the steps in the research process?

An effective research question is open-ended, directly related to a claim, and purposeful, meaning that the answer will be used to support the argument. Use your topic to generate a central research question. Then break your main question into a subset of related questions. Main research question: _______________ Sub-questions: _______________

• Main research question: _______________ Sub-questions: _______________

• Main research question: What is the impact of climate change on global agriculture? Sub-questions: How does climate change affect crop yields?

• Main research question: How does social media influence mental health? Sub-questions: What are the positive effects of social media on mental health?

• Main research question: What are the benefits of renewable energy? Sub-questions: How does renewable energy reduce carbon emissions?

What does 'Research (n.)' mean?

• Research (n.) refers to the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions.

• Research (n.) is a casual inquiry into everyday events without any specific goal.

• Research (n.) is the process of collecting random data without analysis.

• Research (n.) is a method of storytelling to entertain an audience.

Who is the audience? What organization is behind this information? What are the qualifications of the author or organization to write about this topic?

• The audience is the general public, the organization is a government agency, and the author is a qualified expert in the field.

• The audience is students, the organization is a non-profit, and the author is a volunteer.

• The audience is professionals, the organization is a private company, and the author is an intern.

• The audience is children, the organization is a school, and the author is a teacher.

Determine if the content of the source is fact, opinion, or propaganda. If you think the source is offering facts, are the sources clearly indicated? Is any information omitted from the source?

• The content is fact with sources clearly indicated and no information omitted.

• The content is fact but sources are not clearly indicated.

• The content is opinion.

• The content is propaganda.

Is the information trustworthy? Does it show any biases for or against the topic, including the omission of relevant details? Is the source using faulty reasoning such as bandwagon appeals, repetition, or loaded language?

• Yes, the information is trustworthy and unbiased.

• No, the information shows biases and uses faulty reasoning.

• The information is partially trustworthy but shows some biases.

• The information is trustworthy but uses faulty reasoning.

Can you verify the information presented? Are there other sources that contradict or confirm the source? Is information omitted?

• Yes, the information can be verified and there are no contradicting sources.

• No, the information cannot be verified and there are contradicting sources.

• Yes, the information can be verified but there are contradicting sources.

• No, the information cannot be verified but there are no contradicting sources.

How old is the source? Some sources become dated when new research is available, but other sources of information can remain quite sound.

• The source is recent and up-to-date.

• The source is old but still relevant.

• The source is outdated and irrelevant.

• The source's age does not affect its relevance.

What is the purpose of this information? To whom is it directed?

• To inform the public

• To entertain children

• To educate students

• To advertise a product

As you conduct your research, consider if the sources you find are primary or secondary sources? How do you know?

• By evaluating the originality and proximity of the source to the event or information.

• By checking the publication date of the source.

• By identifying the author of the source.

• By analyzing the length of the source.