Steps to follow
when researching
Created by Year 10 Class of 2015
St. Columba College
Stage 1- Define
(Preparing)
What do I need to find out?
Where do I start? (Plan)
Define words
Brainstorm keywords/subject headings related
to the topic
Read through the task a few times- reword
and & analyse
Break the task into smaller questions/tasks &
subheadings
Ask questions for clarification
Re-write questions
Decide how work will be presented
Plan the structure (intro, paragraphs,
conclusion)
Make a to-do list (steps to follow)
Time goals – outline
Brainstorm – mind map (What do I
know/what do I need to know?)
Stage 2:
Locate & Select
(Sifting & Choosing)
What information do I really need to use?
Select sources of information to use- suitability, currency,
appropriateness
Bibliography starts here
Are you having trouble finding
appropriate sources?
If so, return to Define and reexamine the task or brainstorm
alternative keywords.
Past
notes &
text
books
School
Library
Where
can I
locate
resources?
Websites
& media
Professional
People
Hint: if using Wikipedia,
scroll down to their list of
sources.
Compile possible sources in a list to use for research
and bibliography
Search for sources and statistics to expand knowledge
on task
•
Use internet, books & notes
•
Ask professional people
Do the sources answer my questions?
Collect ideas/quotes
Stage 3 : Organise
(Sorting & recording)
How can I best use this information?
Refer to the questions you re-wrote in the Definition stage
Start to decide what information will be collected
Decide how notes will be collected (Teachers may request evidence of note-taking)
•
Data Charts/Note-taking organiser
•
Cornell note-taking
•
Use of Headings & sub-heading
Look at past notes and include existing knowledge
Add sources to bibliography as you note-take
Begin note-taking:
•
Use key points
•
Dot points
•
A variety of sources
•
Quote accurately
Annotate and analyse text
Organise notes (colours to math topics, subheading & sections, logical order)
Discuss and collaborate with others
Seek further advice/ Ask questions
What note-taking
style best suits your
needs?
Examples:
Cornell note (lectures)
School data organiser – collating from various
sources (good for assignments/research)
Use of Headings/sub-headings (planning essays/assignments)
Mind map (excellent for tests)
Brainstorm (visula representation of prior knowledge and what you
need to find out)
If you haven’t got enough
information, return to Define or
Locate & Select and re-examine the
questions and further your search.
Stage 4: Present
(Synthesising & communicating)
What is the best way to present my information?
Synthesise notes
Write draft in own words (always revising as you go along)
Recheck teacher’s guidelines- questions
Double check answers – have I answered the question
Edit (Proof read) -spell check, grammar, flow, sense & purpose
Do the paragraphs need more depth and detail?
Conference – teacher/peer
Final copy
•
Make suggested changes
•
Check that all sources and quotes are included in the bibliography. (Planner p. 1720; Online Reference Generator)
What does the
bibliography look
like?
It follows the school Bibliography guide
It is based on the Harvard System
It is in alphabetical order
It includes all resources used (including
information, ideas & quotes)
• It is one long list
• (Planner p. 17-20; Online Reference
Generator)
•
•
•
•
Bibliography
Australia 2010, Country map, MapQuest, [Online image] http://www.mapquest.co.uk/mq/maps/mapAddress.do
(Accessed 11 March 2013).
Earthquake 2013, in Encyclopaedia Britannica, http://www.school.eb.com.au/all/comptons/article9274104?query=earthquake&ct=null (Accessed 11 February 2013).
Greenpeace. n.d. Global warming? [Online] http://www.sofcom.com.au/Greenpeace (Accessed 6 Nov. 2013).
Jacaranda Atlas. 2010. 7th ed. John Wiley & Son, Milton, Qld.
Kahlo, Frida. 1993. "Self portrait with Necklace of Thorns". Oil on canvas. As reproduced in Andrea Kettenmann, Frida
Kahlo 1907-1954 : Pain and Passion. Benedikt Taschen.Koln. Plate 29.
Lawrence, D. H. 2008, In The New Encyclopaedia Britannica, Encyclopaedia Britannica. Macropaedia, Chicago, v 10, pp
722-725.
Picasso, Pablo. 1937. Weeping Woman. Oil on canvas. National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne.
Riddell, R. 1991. Adolescence and families. Longman Cheshire, Melbourne.
Schauble, J. 2012. Once No.1 with a bullet, China turns to lethal injections. The Age,3 October, 2013.
Vietnam Australia's War. [DVD]. 2007. Produced by Mark Phillips. 27 min. Video Education Australasia.
What is genetic engineering? 2012. [Online]. http://www.aba.asn.au/leaf2.html (Accessed 7 Nov. 2013).
Wikipedia. 2013. Ned Kelly. [Online] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ned_Kelly (Accessed 23 October 2013)
If you need to add more
information/detail, return to
Organise.
Stage 5: Evaluate
(Reflecting & Assessing)
How well did you do at each stage?
What stages do I need to improve? How?
1.
Define
-
Preparing
What do I really want to
find out?
Locate &
Select – Finding
2.
5.
Evaluate –
reflecting & assessing
What did I learn from this?
.Present -
4
synthesising &
communication
What is the best way to
present this information?
Research
Process skills
(Year 10)
3.
Where can I find the
information?
Organise – Sorting &
recording
How can I best use this
information?
Bibliography
Berkowitz, B & Eisenberg.M. n/d. Information Literacy & critical
thinking for students. (Online) http://big6.com/pages/informationliteracy.php (Date accessed 19 Mar. 2014)
St. Columba College (Year 10). 2014. ‘How do you begin research
workshop’ 14th March 2014
Todd, R. 2014, National Forum on International Literacy (Online)
http://infolit.org/dr-ross-j-todd/ (Accessed 26 Mar. 2014)