PHASE 6: HUNT AND GATHER
Beginning with the first of my prioritized sources, have I begun to peruse the source to determine if it has credible information that I can use in my assignment?
Now that you are organized, you can begin your research. Phase 6 is going to be where you spend the bulk of your research time. Start with your list of prioritized sources that you created in Phase 5. Remember, that these are the sources you located at the library and are probably the most reliable. After making it through your list, you can begin searching the web. But, here are some tips as you commence researching:
Am I using one source at a time?
For the sake of organization, only use one source at a time. Find a comfortable place to take the time to peruse a source. You may take 20 to 30 minutes on one source. It may take longer. But, continue to use a source until you are finished with it. When you believe you have found enough information from a source, put it to the side. You may need to come back to it later.
Am I using credible web sources?
In this research phase, begin searching for sources on the World Wide Web. As incredible as the web is when it comes to finding sources, there are major dangers in using the web in your research. First, there is a lot of inappropriate material out there. Be very careful when viewing material. Second, as easy as it may be to find sources, it is also very time consuming to look at sources if you “Google” them. Remember, you still have to read the material. If you get caught in the “spider web”, the worldwide web may actually be more time consuming. Finally, there is a lot of misinformation out there. Anybody can post anything on the web. Wrong information can sabotage your research and do not fool yourself into thinking there aren’t people out there who put misinformation out there on purpose. So, how do you know if a source is credible? Read the Evaluating Web Sites page and complete the Website Evaluation Guide for Student to determine the reliability of your sources.
Am I taking notes using the method that I selected in Phase 4?
As you are perusing your source, take notes. Do not wait until after you are finished and try to remember everything. Take notes on the information when you find it. Refer to the appropriate page for the method you are using if you need a reminder. Make sure your notes are focused and related to your topic. Also, do not get to “wordy”. Keep your notes neat, organized, and concise so that you can refer to them and draw information from them easily at a later time. Remember, you will be using these notes later!
Am I keeping track of my sources with my notes, noting which source I used and where in that source I found my information? Am I writing a correct bibliography reference as each source is used?
As you take notes, write the source along with your notes. Your method page will explain how to complete this important step. You want to do this for the appropriate citation in your final product and so that you can remember where you found your information if you need to come back to it in the future. It can be very frustrating if you remember reading something and cannot find it later. We use the MLA format at Madeira High School. Find the MLA Citation Guide in this section. You can also go to the www.easybib.com web page for additional assistance. By completing this during the research process, as opposed to later, you stay organized and will save you time in the long run.
Have I included personal thoughts and analysis with my notes?
Do not just write down factual information in your notes. Include personal thoughts, analysis, and other information. A good practice is to show how a specific notation is related to your thesis.
Am I supporting my thesis or do I need to revise my thesis?
During your research, always ask yourself if you are supporting your thesis. If you are supporting it, continue in that direction. However, there are times in the middle of your research, you realize that you were incorrect about your thesis or you just change your mind about the focus of your topic. You might find a lot of information that does not support your thesis and you want to change directions. Be flexible enough that you can broaden your research as you find information that you did not know about previously. At the same time, you cannot research without a focus. If you find that you are not supporting your thesis or you have a change of heart, revise your thesis. Also, keep this in mind that you need to do this early in the research process. You do not want to change your focus late in the ball game. There have been numerous occasions when students have changed the focus of their assignment days before the final product was due. This usually leads to high anxiety, low quality, and a product that is not very focused. This is why it is important to keep to your schedule and to follow this research process plan.