While research projects teach specific content, they also serve to hone your information literacy skills.  In today’s world of information overload, it’s especially important that you learn to access and manage information in a competent and responsible manner.

This site supplements the instruction you will receive in class, reviewing the basics and linking to additional information.

Any big research task is a process.  Follow the steps, and your life will be much easier!  Click here for a copy of the full research packet.

1.   IDENTIFY YOUR TOPIC
   

       Ask:  “What do I already know?”  What do I need to find out?”

        Frame your research question. Go beyond the facts. Ask  “Which one?”                  “How?” “What if?”  “Suppose”  “Why?”

        Further information: Questioning

1. PLAN YOUR SEARCH
      Choose your key words
   

      Determine your best resources:

              books

              databases

              interviews

              the internet

       Further information: Key Words

1. FIND YOUR INFORMATION  
   

       Take notes (cards, or use Zotero)

       Organize by topic and source

       Further information: Note Cards

1. EVALUATE YOUR INFO/SOURCES
   

      Authoritative?

        Credible?

        Relevant?

        Current?

      Further information:  Using Information

1. PUT IT ALL TOGETHER!
   

        Organize notes

        Create your final product

PLAGIARISM

Plagiarism—using someone else’s ideas, words, or creative work without giving them credit—is taken seriously at King. The Student Handbook states:

In order to avoid inadvertent plagiarism, you need to learn to summarize, paraphrase and use quotations correctly. If you need more practice with that, check out these links.

           University of Wisconsin Writing Lab

           Owl at Purdue

You can also look here for complete refresher course, or talk to Ms. Hurd.

For information about proper citations, go to the Citations page.