Entries Tagged 'General information' ↓

As your evidence begins to take shape, use the space in this category to explore the information patterns as you see them.  Begin to create an outline. 

What sections/paragraphs and subsections do you see the information forming in your project?  Begin to craft topic sentences for these sections.  You may use this space to collect quotes and to paraphrase important points.  Consult Summarizing, Paraphrasing and Quoting for tips.

You might want to visit Weaving Quotes into your Writing.

After using the databases, Google Scholar, Windows Academic, newspapers, trade journals, etc, cite and annotate those specific articles that offered the most relevant, credible evidence to suit your information need.

This is perhaps the most important area of your research log. Describe your process here–your process along the way as well as your final evaluation of the journey. Let your audience–your teachers and fellow researchers–understand that journey, its successes and pitfalls. What did you enjoy, hate, worry about, learn?

How well did you use your time during each phase of the process? How well did you make use of the human resources available to you: the librarian, your teacher, classmates, others?   If you had the opportunity to do this project again, what changes would you make in how you went about the search and research process?

What else is important to know for the topic of study? For instance, for a topic relating to travel, you might add categories like currency converters, airfare, hotel directories, or translating services.

Are there any major guide sites relating to your subject on the Web? If so, annotate the most relevant so users will know why they should be visited first. You might find these gateway sites by searching directories of specialized search engines. LII.org should help you locate some of these portals. Examples: Multnomah County Libary offers a portal for Social Issues research. Internet Public Library offers a portal for many subjects including literary criticism .  Labyrinth is Georgetown University’s portal for medieval studies.

Are there key documents–letters, speeches, legislation, etc–that are important or lead to a better understanding of the topic? Consult our primary source pathfinder for ideas. Cite and annotate those that are most relevant.

Cite any major organizations, support groups, etc. involved in the topic. If you have chosen a controversial topic, attempt balance by including representative groups on all sides of the issue.

Are there particular sites that will provide researchers subject-specific media? For instance, you might recommend one of NASA’s image databases for researchers in aeronautics. Does the library have any films or film series that will add understanding of the topic? Have you discovered any videos that should be rented or purchased and viewed? Are there relevant Web-based videos available from reliable, stable archives? See our streaming media pathfinder for ideas and access to our media database. Cite and annotate the best of the sources you find!

Which professional or trade journals, online or offline are most likely to contain articles relating to your research?

List and annotate in this category, the very best of the websites you find. Why did you select these over the many available others? You’ll find guidance on annotating here http://www.sdst.org/rguide/page9.html