Understanding Research
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Understanding Research Research process Select a topic Refine a topic Identify objectives Choose approach Explore a topic Plan a search Evaluate info Finding BooksFinding Articles What Is Research?Research is exploration combined with learning. It is a "detailed study of a subject in order to discover information or achieve a new understanding of it."1 Research is a process of searching, discovering, and investigating information, as well as collecting, interpretating, and evaluating the information you find. Research can be exciting, especially once you know how to apply the tools and techniques for finding, evaluating, and using information effectively—a set of skills known as information literacy.Moreover, research extends beyond just learning. Research provides a foundation for both education and the welfare of the society, as outlined by the former president of Cornell University:"The acquisition of knowledge is the mission of research, the transmission of knowledge is the mission of teaching and the application of knowledge is the mission of public service."2 Survivor Tip: To be a successful researcher, you will need to develop knowledge and skills in information literacy and research and build upon those skills year after year.Let's now begin exploring the research process. Next: The 8 Steps in the Research ProcessReferences1 "Research" Cambridge Dictionary of American English. Cambridge UP, 2001. Cambridge Dictionaries Online. 2001. 19 July 2004.
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Understanding Research
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Understanding Research Research process Select a topic Refine a topic Identify objectives Choose approach Explore a topic Plan a search Evaluate info Finding BooksFinding Articles What are the Steps in the Research Process? The research process should be understood as one of ongoing planning, searching, discovery, reflection, synthesis, revision, and learning, as shown in the image1 below: Although no one researches in exactly the same way, the research process comprises basically 8 major steps that occur prior to the writing of a paper or creation of a presentation. As indicated in the image above, you may repeat those steps any number of times before you are finally finished with your research. The first 4 steps focus on getting started and the last 4 steps focus on gathering information. This segment of the tutorial will help you understand steps 1-6; steps 7-8 are covered in Finding Books and Finding Articles.Getting Started: Gathering Information:
1. Select your topic 5. Explore your topic
2. Refine your topic 6. Plan your search
3. Identify objectives 7. Search & select resources
4. Choose approach 8. Obtain selected resources
Since research involves critical thinking, assessment, and evaluation, you will be evaluating what you find and what you read at every step of the process. Once you have gathered your information, a couple of steps are still required as you prepare to write your paper/presentation: Analyzing & evaluating the information, viewpoints, and arguments you have gathered to use in your paper and to support your own argument Citing your sources (for more information, see the Library's "Citing Sources" and "Avoiding Plagiarism" guides ) (1) Do You Know How? What do you think would be the best starting point for getting started?What do you think would be the best starting point for gathering information?Find out here Survivor Tip: Research is not a straight road, but a system of bends, crossroads, and turns. Sometimes you need to retrace your steps or change direction, depending on what you find.Let's now explore what you need to do in each step.Your First Step: Selecting Your Topic1 The inspiration for the Research Process model image above was the reflective model from: Edwards, Sylvia and Bruce, C. "Reflective Internet Searching, an Action Research Model." In Action Learning, Action Research and Process Management, Theory, Practice Praxis. Action Research Unit, Griffith University. 5th World Congress of Action Learning, Action Research and Process Management, University of Ballarat, Victoria, September, pp. 141-152. Cited in Bruce, Christine Susan. "Information Literacy as a Catalyst for Educational Change: A Background Paper." U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. 22 May 2006.
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Understanding Research
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Understanding Research Research process Select a topic Refine a topic Identify objectives Choose approach Explore a topic Plan a search Evaluate info Finding BooksFinding Articles How Do I Select a Topic?Begin by considering something that interests you! What have you read or heard in the news lately that has peaked your interest? Or is there something you'd like to learn more about? Do you have a strong opinion about anything happening in your personal life, your local area, nationally, or internationally?Be sure to avoid topics that have been overly written about by others. Explore a new approach, perspective, idea, issue, event, or trend. Research is about discovery, new conclusions, and new solutions.Consider topics that allow you to: · Inform AND bring insight to a situation· Argue a point· Present a problem and its solutionExamples: · Informing readers of new insights into a particular social issue· Arguing the position that a particular court ruling was unconstitutional · Presenting a solution to a particular pollution problem Survivor Tip: Interest equals Motivation. If you are interested in your topic, you will be more motivated to do your research. And it is more likely that your research and your paper will turn out better.Next: More Tips on How to Select Your Topic
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Understanding Research Research process Select a topic Refine a topic Identify objectives Choose approach Explore a topic Plan a search Evaluate info Finding BooksFinding Articles Do I Have a Manageable Topic?After you have identified a possible topic, test your topic by asking yourself if you can sufficiently address the topic you've chosen given the following:· Length of your paper· Length of time you have to write your paper· Amount of resources available on the potential topicDo some initial research by searching for books in the ODU Library Catalog or for articles in a library database. (Consult Finding Books and Finding Articles to learn how to use these tools effectively.) If you find TOO MUCH information, which is often the case, you may need to REFINE, or NARROW, your topic to one or two ideas that you can research and present effectively. If you find TOO LITTLE information, you may need to BROADEN your topic.Ask a reference librarian for help in refining your ideas and developing a good research strategy to make sure you have a manageable topic.(3) Do You Know How?Which topic is NOT a manageable topic?A:deaf studies B: psychological impact of hearing loss in teenagersRead correct answer Next: How Do I Refine (Narrow) My Topic?
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Understanding Research Research process Select a topic Refine a topic Identify objectives Choose approach Explore a topic Plan a search Evaluate info Finding BooksFinding Articles How Do I Identify My Objectives?Identify your objectives by formulating a few clear questions, based on what you want to do with your topic. The direction of your research will then be based on answering those questions.What do you want to do with your topic? Do you want to:· Find facts about a certain situation or issue? · Investigate the pros & cons of a particular issue? · Investigate the advantages or disadvantages of a situation or viewpoint?· Examine an event, situation, or problem and determine its impact?· Examine a problem and determine a possible solution? These are points to consider when deciding what your objectives will be. Survivor Tip: You take time to plan a vacation to know where you are going to and how to get there. To plan your research, first take time to identify your objectives—that is, your destination, what it is that you desire to find out. You will save time, and your journey will be a more pleasant one.Next: How Do I Formulate Good Questions?
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Understanding Research
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Understanding Research Research process Select a topic Refine a topic Identify objectives Choose approach Explore a topic Plan a search Evaluate info Finding BooksFinding Articles Which Approach Do I Take?After identifying your objectives, you're ready to consider which approach to pursue in writing or presenting your information. Ask yourself if you intend to present an informational, argumentative, or problem/solution paper. Above all, follow your instructor's directions.Examine the questions you have generated. Your questions will reflect your approach. Which approach do you wish to take?The Informational Approach—Just the Facts:Present, and discuss information, facts, statistics, people, places, issues, events about your topic based on your research.The Argumentative Approach—Your Position:Identify and debate the pros & cons of an issue or examine the advantages & disadvantages of a particular aspect. State and argue your position based on your research.The Problem-and-Solution Approach: Explain and analyze a problem, and propose a solution based on your research. Survivor Tip: "Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored" (Aldous Huxley, Proper Studies 1927).(1) When you state and argue your position, don't ignore the facts. Your viewpoint should be based on facts and observations, not just opinion.Let's examine some questions for the topic "Educational issues of raising a deaf child" and the approach that you would then take:The Question: The Approach:
What are the educational needs of deaf children? Informational
Why should sign language be or not be part of a school's curriculum? Argumentative
How can schools effectively comply with legislative issues to meet the needs of the deaf? Problem-and-Solution
This tutorial focuses on researching information. For further optional reading on how to write research papers, visit the library's Quick Reference page, then click on Research & Writing and consult the writing guides and tutorials linked from the page. Above all, be sure to consult with your instructor. Next: How Do I Explore My Topic?Reference:1Huxley, Aldous. Proper Studies. 1927. Oxford Reference Online Premium. Ohio Dominican University Library, Columbus. 15 July 2004.
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Understanding Research
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Understanding Research Research process Select a topic Refine a topic Identify objectives Choose approach Explore a topic Plan a search Evaluate info Finding BooksFinding Articles How Do I Explore My Topic?To explore your topic, you should ask yourself: · What do I know about my topic at this point? · What do I want to know about my topic? · What do I need to know about my topic?· What kinds of resources do I need to use to answer the questions I've formulated about my topic?Your answers will determine how you explore your topic—what types of information and what kinds of resources you look for.You can explore resources for 4 basic types of information:Background Info Current Info Data Historical Info
Gives an overview of terms, people, places, events, trends, issues & key works to a topic Reports the latest findings & views about a topic Facts & statistics on a variety of topics Gives a historical perspective on a topic
Kinds of Resources to Explore for Each Type of Information:Background Info Current Info Data Historical Info
EncyclopediasDictionariesBiographies Journal articlesNewspaper articlesWeb sites AlmanacsYearbooksFactbooks BooksJournal articlesWeb sites
Ask a librarian to suggest appropriate resources or consult the library's research subject guides for possible starting points. Survivor Tip: Bibliographies at the end of encyclopedia and dictionary articles can be treasure maps! Read them (and bibliographies of any resource) for further resources to consult. They can prove invaluable in your research. (8) Do You Know How?How could you find out about the topic "deaf studies" using the different types of information?Read the possibilitiesNext: How Do I Plan My Search?
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Understanding Research Research process Select a topic Refine a topic Identify objectives Choose approach Explore a topic Plan a search Evaluate info Finding BooksFinding Articles How Do I Plan My Search?There are 3 basic steps to planning any search:1. State your finalized topic in 1-2 sentences, in statements or questions2. Identify major ideas (key concepts) in your topic sentence3. Select other terms to describe these key concepts The 1st step is typically completed by simply using the questions you formulate when determinine your objectives. This step helps you coalesce your thoughts and define the direction you take with your research.The 2nd and 3rd steps help you to choose the appropriate words to use when you search for information on your topic, whether you use library catalogs, library datases, or search engines.(9) Do You Know How?Do the first step to plan research for the topic "educational needs of deaf children": How might you state your topic?Read correct answerNow let's look at the rest of the steps in planning a search. Next: How Do I Identify My Key Concepts?
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Understanding Research
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Understanding Research Research process Select a topic Refine a topic Identify objectives Choose approach Explore a topic Plan a search Evaluate info Finding BooksFinding Articles How Do I Evaluate the Information I Find?An integral part of research, perhaps the most important part, is evaluating the information, viewpoints, and arguments you find.When identifying possible resources, consider these questions:WHY was the information published?· Who is the audience?· What are the motives?Example: Is the web site meant to be a marketing tool, to persuade rather than factually inform?
WHERE is the source found?· Is the source reputable?· Is the source reliable?Example: Is an article about some latest scientific research found in a popular magazine or a reliable scientific journal?
WHO is responsible for the information? · Who is the author?· What are the author's credentials?· How much has the author already written on the subject?Example: Does the author have a degree in the discipline and a research focus on the topic about which he or she has written?
WHEN was the source published?· Are the facts likely to be current? · How might the time of publication affect the point of view of the author?Example: How might a book written about World War II and published in 2005 differ from a book written about World War II and published a year after the war ended?
Evaluation should be a key step throughout your research, both in identifying and selecting a source. Next: More on Evaluating Information
