Independent Project, Next Step: Begin Secondary Research

Now that everyone has provided me with their topic, we are starting our research process. First, we will do secondary research, which means using encyclopedias, magazines, websites, books, and videos as sources for information. We will be taking notes and recording resources. We will try to use a wide variety of resources — many more than what we have used for unit projects. This research will be going on alongside our current units for the next three months.

1. Narrow down your topic if I asked you to do this.
2. Ms. D will give your topics to Ms. Ho so she can begin looking for books in our libraries. This will take some time.
3. Go to the public library to pick up some books. You can minimize your time in the library by looking online through the Burnaby Libraries and putting books on hold that would be helpful. That way they can be waiting for you to pick up.
4. Create questions for your topic. Please use the Jar of Inquiry we discussed in class. If you were absent, the poster is in class and we can talk when you return, as it is a lot to explain. But in the meantime, make sure you are starting with basic FORM questions of “What is it like?” and FUNCTION questions “How does it work?” You need to understand your topic basics before moving into more complicated ideas.
5. Create a list of related words to help you with research. Don’t go to a research resource and say, “There’s nothing here about my topic!” after only three minutes searching. Research takes time. Use related words to see if there is anything under alternative categories. It won’t always be under your first choice.
6. Go to the Suncrest Website, select Library from the main menu. On the Library website, use the Research Resources available before going to GOOGLE. For example, use World Book Student/Advanced, or Discover Science. Do not use Ebsco, as it is difficult to navigate and not necessary for your level of research right now.
7. Note taking: You need to create a 2 column table for your notes, either in a journal or electronically. In column one, put the question you are trying to answer. In column two, write your resource then point-form notes in your own words. The nice thing about using a computer for this is you can create a TABLE in Microsoft Word, put in your questions before you start researching, and then you can answer ANY of the questions as you research. ONE RESOURCE may answer more than one question. If it does, cut and paste the resource info into EACH BOX it helps to answer!
8. As you record resources, be aware of what you will need for a bibliography. Read this website from Science Buddies, which gives great details on how to do an MLA Format Bibliography. It is the easiest to read. For videos, you can basically use the same format as you do for websites. Here is also a more complicated website to refer to, EasyBib. Do not use it to create your bibliography, though, as you need to know how to create one yourself.
9. Ask new questions as you go. So, if you do find answers to your first 10 questions, add new questions based on what you find out! Go deeper!

Remember, this is a project that will last until June, so we are looking for deep questions, and we want to use a variety of resources — way more than what we would usually use for a project. I look forward to seeing your findings!