Research Projects

Research ProjectsI-Search PapersObjective: to learn how to research, use MLA format to cite sources, and write a research paper that conveys what you have learned to your audienceFinal Product: 2-3 page research paper WITH correct in-text citations and Works Cited pageThe ResearchYour research will include several steps:Finding sources (book, database, website)Citing USEFUL sourcesTaking notes from those sourceReviewing and organizing your informationWriting a thesis statement and outlineWriting a rough draftRevising, editing, and writing a final draft

The PaperAn I-search paper consists of three components:The story of your searchWhat you learned (cited information)Your reflections on the researchThe TopicThe topic for this research paper should be something that directly relates to your lifeThink about what you do, where you go, what affects your family, your school, etc.Your topic must be:AppropriateResearchableSomething youre interested in!The TopicFirst, brainstorm to come up with a topicThen, answer these questions:Why am I interested in this topic?What do I hope to learn from my research?Last, turn that information into a research question. This question will guide your research, help you evaluate sources, and decide on the audience for your paperAn ExampleWhat am I interested in?Training my dog to do agility coursesSelling my houseBeing a better teacherBeing a better scholastic bowl coachReadingCookingWhich of these is most realistic to research?Being a better teacherAn ExampleOk, I have my topic. Now, why am I interested in this topic, and what do I hope to learn?Im interested because its my job! It affects my daily life, and yours as well.I want to learn more about effectively teaching novels, and different strategies for helping students read novelsAn ExampleNow I know what I want to research and why, so I need a research question.

What specific strategies can I use to help my students become engaged with a novel, structure my class discussions, and ensure understanding?Your Turn!Follow these steps to come up with a research topic and guiding question

Citing SourcesWhy?So you can retrieve the information againSo I can review your sources laterTypes of sourcesBookDatabaseWebsiteWhere to Find InformationTake a look at the book on your deskFind the title pageA book citation includes:Authors nameTitlePlace of publicationPublisherDate of publicationThe word PrintFind all of this information in your book

Formatting CitationsPut the information into this format:Authors last name, first name. Book Title. Place of publication: publisher, date. Print.

Clare, Cassandra. City of Fallen Angels. New York: Margeret K. McElderry Books, 2011. Print.

*Pay attention to the punctuation! It has to be correct!Online DatabasesOn the schools website, click on Academics and find Mrs. Walkers nameChoose Gale DatabasesThe password is schoolsYou want the Gale Virtual Reference LibraryWebsitesFirst off, Google is NOT a website sourceit is a search engineSecondly, Wikipedia is not allowed as a source for your paperValidityReliabilityWebsitesIf a website is to be considered valid, that means it includes information based on research that can be verified by other sourcesDoes it include references?Does it seem reasonable?If a website is to be considered reliable, it is able to be trustedWho is the author? Who is the publisher?How old is the information?WebsitesTo further check reliability:Look for .edu or .org websites rather than .comRead information carefully to check for biasBIAS is prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfairAssignmentFind online/database sources for your paper and write citations for themIf you have questions about the reliability/validity of a site, bring it to me to checkAdd these to the sheet where you have listed your book sourcesBring them to me to be checked when you have completed themThe MINIMUM number of sources you need is one website and one databaseToday:Your assignment is to find sources and write a correct citation for each sourceBook Sources:Search the librarys database here; when you have selected books you would like to go check out, I will approve them (or not) and write you a note. Mrs. Walker will be available to help you find them.Database:See me if you cant remember how to get to or use the database; the password is schoolsWebsites:Remember to look for valid, reliable sources! Have me check your source if there is a question.DUE TODAYIn your folder, I should find:THREE correct source citations (AT LEAST one book, one database, and one website. More is better!)FIFTEEN notecards (they dont necessarily have to be on notecards, but you should have 15)Each source should be given a numberEach notecard should have a number that corresponds to a source AND a page number!These will be graded TODAY!

3/28/14Get out any notes you have on root words and affixesWe will begin with a quizwhen you are finished, bring your paper to METhen, get a computer and your research folderWe will type Works Cited pages todayOutline/Thesis StatementsRemember, EVERYTHING is due by the end of class tomorrow (4/9/14)NotecardsTYPED Works Cited (on my Sharepoint page)Thesis statementPaper OutlinePut anything you want graded in your folder where I can easily see it!If you are done with all of this, let me know and you can start writing your paper I-Search Paper Part OneThe Search StoryLet readers know what you wanted to learn and why. State your research question.Engage readers attention and interest; explain why learning more about this topic was personally important for you.Explain what you already knew about the topic before you even started researching.Retrace your research steps by describing the search terms and sources you used. Discuss things that went well and things that were challenging.Length: 1-2 paragraphsI-Search Paper Part TwoSearch ResultsDescribe your results and give support.Use findings statements to orient the reader and develop your ideas with direct quotations, paraphrases, and summaries of information from your sources.Properly cite all information from sources.3-4 paragraphs (or more, NOT less)Introduction with general information, plus the three paragraphs(ish) you outlinedToday:Use your outline/thesis statement to write the second part of your paperINCLUDE IN-TEXT CITATIONS AS NEEDEDRemember, I should see them in every paragraph except the introduction!I-Search Paper Part ThreeSearch ReflectionsDiscuss what you learned from your research experience. How might your experience and what you learned affect your choices or opportunities in the future?Length: 1-2 paragraphs