where do i begin? getting started with your research assignment
TRANSCRIPT
How to Start •Think of ideas for a subject or
topic, something you are interested in
•Come up with keywords
Most research projects Most research projects follow a step by step follow a step by step
patternpattern
1. Plan the project2. Select and refine your topic 3. Find sources/locations4. Evaluate your sources5. Organize your findings6. Present your findings
Looking for InformationLooking for InformationCheck the library for:
BooksPeriodicalsGovernment documentsNewspapersVideosHuman expertise
Time ManagementTime Management
Start early. Break your assignment into
manageable chunks of work. Give yourself lots of
time.
Do…Use your own words and ideasKeep track of all the sources you usedGive credit for
ideas, photos, diagrams, graphics, multimedia by citing the source
direct quotes using quotation marks and citing the source
Paraphrases, restating the author’s words or ideas in your own words, must be citedCosmetic changes still require a citation,
i.e., reversing order, changing layout, etc.
Evaluate your SourcesEvaluate your SourcesAccuracy
Does the source seem correct? Do you need to check the information with a second source?
CurrencyIs this source up to date?
ObjectivityIs this source unnecessarily biased?
CoverageWhat is the purpose of this source?
AuthorityWho is the author / publisher of this source?
Thesis StatementThesis Statement
States the topic / main idea of the paperShows the purpose of your paperShows the direction of your argument Written in focused, specific languageIt is interesting
Come up with a Come up with a thesisthesis statement for your essaystatement for your essay
This states the topic/main idea of the paper
It shows the purpose of your paper
It is interesting
IntroductionBe very clear about what the main idea is
BodyTurn the key ideas in your outline into paragraphs
ConclusionSum up your thesis – show you have proven something
IntroductionIntroduction8 ways to introduce your topic
Background informationDefinitionStoryQuestionQuotationContradictionFact or statisticSurprising statement
Body of the PaperBody of the Paper
Topic sentence at the beginning of each paragraph
Supportive ideas follow the main ideaWith each new “big” idea, start a new
paragraphSentences and paragraphs should be
smooth and logically connected
ConclusionConclusion Ways to conclude your paper
Review key points and restate your thesis in a “new” wayRecommend a course of actionMake a predictionEnd with a relevant quotation
Plagiarism and APA stylePlagiarism and APA styleapastyle.orgapastyle.org
What is Plagiarism?What is Plagiarism?
Taking credit for work that isn’t your own!
1. Quotations1. Quotations
Double quotation marks around short quotations (<40 words).
Longer quotations (>40 words) block indent and omit quotation marks.
In Text Short Quotation In Text Short Quotation (<40 words)(<40 words)
“An honor code usually consists of a signed statement in which students promise not to cheat and not to tolerate those who do” (Harris, 2001, p. 117).
Long Quotation Long Quotation (>40 words)(>40 words)
Athletes are searching for anything that will make them more competitive including
nutritional supplements, such as vitamins, energy bars and drinks that may compensate for dietary deficiencies, and over-the-counter products like shark cartilage and amino acids, which purport to increase muscle mass, boost energy and endurance, prompt weight gain (or loss), or reduce recovery time between
workouts. (Jollimore, 2004, p. 54)
Reference ListReference ListAcknowledges all the sources you have cited in your project
Organized in alphabetical order
Strictly follows citation style format (APA, MLA . . . )
Reference List Reference List Rules to RememberRules to Remember
1. For journal articles, books, videos, and websites: Only capitalize the First letter of the title, proper nouns & first word after a colon.
2. Authors’ names must be inverted, using only the first & middle initials. For more than one author use the “&” before the final name.
3. Indent each line after the first line.
5. There is no period at the end of a website citation.
6. Personal communications are only cited in text, not in reference list.
Rules of Italics
Italicize the titles of journals, magazines, newspapers, books, videos and web documents
Italicize the volume number of a journal but not the issue
number Canadian Art, 24(3) Do not italicize article titles from journals and magazines
ReferencesReferences
Anderson, D. (2001, August 3). Statement by Environment Minister David Anderson on Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Retrieved July 24, 2004, from http://www.ec.gc.ca/Press/2001/010803_s_e.htm
Blicq, R. (2001). Guidelines for report writing. Toronto: Pearson Education Canada.
Booth, W. C., Colomb, G. G., & Williams, J. M. (1995). The craft of research. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Harris, R. (2001). The plagiarism handbook. Los Angeles: Pyrczak.
Health Canada. (2004). West Nile virus. Retrieved July 19, 2004, from http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/westnile/index.html
Jollimore, M. (2004, June 21). Fuel’s gold: Why Canada’s athletes pay so much attention to what they eat. Time, 163(25), 52-61.
Reitman, J. (2004). The Baghdad follies. Rolling Stone, 952/953, 110-117.