Research+Tips

=Home / Research Tips / Searching the Internet = = = =How to Research =

=Getting started =

First, make sure you understand the question Write out focus questions
 * Underline key words
 * Ask questions of your teacher, the school librarian or your parents
 * Identify the end product required.
 * Identify areas of information that you will need to understand to answer the question
 * Don’t just ask WHAT questions, ask WHY and HOW

Make a time table
 * Avoid the last minute rush
 * Plan how many days research, how many days for organising, how many days for the first draft.
 * Set goals for when each stage should be completed…and stick to them.

Visit the School Library
 * Check the Reference section (encyclopedias, dictionaries & atlases) for information
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms',helvetica,sans-serif;">Ask the librarian to show you how to use the catalogue
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms',helvetica,sans-serif;">Find out if there are some books in the library that will give you the information that you need
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms',helvetica,sans-serif;">Search on the internet. Use a pathfinder if there is one available for your assignment. Check out our Search Tips.

=<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Taking Notes =

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Every book, magazine, video, website that you use has to be in your reference list, so keep a note of them.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">A good way to take notes is using a journal
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms',helvetica,sans-serif;">Write the name of the source at the top of the page
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms',helvetica,sans-serif;">Using your own words, jot down the main points as you go
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms',helvetica,sans-serif;">Write down direct quotes in red
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms',helvetica,sans-serif;">When you start a new source start a new page

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Using your notes, write an outline or plan for your presentation

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Review
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Go back to the question to make sure you have covered everything required

=**<span style="color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms',helvetica,sans-serif;">Writing your paper **= = = <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">First Draft
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Keep to the required format and fill in the information from your plan
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Refer to your notes
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Keep a record of your references

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Macro Edit
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms',helvetica,sans-serif;">This means that you cheque that your ideas are based on fact
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms',helvetica,sans-serif;">Check that you have an introduction and conclusion

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Micro Edit
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Check grammar, spelling and general presentation.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">This may involve writing a hand written assignment out again

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">ALWAYS HAND YOUR ASSIGNMENT IN ON TIME.

=**<span style="color: black; font-family: 'trebuchet ms',helvetica,sans-serif;">Referencing **= = = <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Every time you do an assignment you need to write a reference list. It should include every source that you used to write your paper. If you don’t tell your teacher where you got your information, you are breaking copyright.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Go to the Library and ask for the **Referencing Information Sheet: Years 7-10.** There is information and examples that you can use to write your own reference list.