RESEARCH

Ngawang Tenzin(Primary Librarian)

Ecole Mondiale World School

“The Illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn”

Alvin Toffler

Research The term research is originated from the

French term ‘re’ and ‘sercher’-Means to search afresh. Research means the act of searching into a matter closely and carefully. It is also a process of inquiry directed to the discovery of truth. Webster’s dictionary defines research as a “Search critical inquiry or examination in seeking facts or principles; diligent investigation to ascertain something”

Trends in research Solo research: Research in early

times was a casual affair. Men of genius used to engage themselves in dark corner of their laboratory to conduct the research. The lack of provision to know each other’s mind and working in isolation has led to the duplication of research in many places. This was added by the lack of communication facilities.

Trends in research Team research: Since the discovery of

printing technique,devpt.of information technology and communication facilities and the birth of journals has fastened the process of research, all these gave a strong support to establish the link amongst isolated research workers. As a result concept of resource sharing and interdisciplinary growth of subject has emerged. This new trend is called team research or team relay research.

Types of research Basic research: Which is also known as

pure or fundamental research. Generally here a search is made for broad principles and synthesis without any immediate utilization. Basic research establishes variety of tools and models.

Applied research is also known as action research. It is of practical value to solve the problems of ‘real world’ Applied research is to collect facts and evolve method of solving specified practical problem.

INQUIRY CYCLE

Defining

Organizing

Assessing

Presenting

Locating

Selecting

Inquiry Cycle

DEFINING

What do I really want to find out?

Relate the task to their learning Clarify the meaning of the words of

the task Identify and interpret the key words

and ideas of the task? Work out the parts of the task

LOCATING

Where can I find the information I need? What do I already know? Identify possible resources (people ,books

organizations, Grey literature etc). Recognize relative worth of sources Select the best of these sources to use Use the appropriate equipment Record details of sources that are used

SELECTINGWhat information do I really need

to use? Begin to assess the usefulness of each

source Identify information that has link with

the task Decide whether information is closer to

fact or opinion Summarise information Avoid Plagiarism

ORGANISING

How can I best use this information?

Review the purpose of the task Combine the units of information

in to larger units of information Combine the units of information

into a structure Review the structure and adjust

the structure where necessary

PRESENTING

How can I present this information?

Identify the different form of presentation

Select a form and style of presentation according to the nature of audience

Prepare the presentation Present the information

ASSESSING

What did I learn from this? Review the end product which fulfills

the requirement of the task Examine strengths and weaknesses in

specific information skills Identify increases in knowledge Set personal goals for the further

development of information skills

BIBLIOGRAPHIC CITATION

BIBLIOGRAPHY

BOOKSOne Author: Hoving, T.,(1978) Tutankhamun, NewYork, Simon and Schuster.

More than One Author : Cooper, R. and Leslie, L.,(1996) Low-Fat Living, New York, Emmaus, PA Rodale Press.

No Author Given: The Amazing Universe,(1991) Washington, DC, National Geographic Society.

BIBLIOGRAPHY ENCYCLOPEDIA ARTICLES: Print and Online:

"Animal Rights." World Book Encyclopedia, 2004 Edition.

“Magnetisim.”World Book. Information available from http://www.worldbookonline [Accessed from24 May 2005]

PAMPHLET: (Usually the same as book with no author given) Smoking and Your Lungs,(2002) Rhode Island, American Lung Association.

ONLINE SERVICES and the INTERNET:  ”Acid Rain” Information Available from:         

http://www.evergreensources.com/pollution/rain.html [Accessed 8th April2008]

Thank YouThanks for your attention