RP+Get+Started

Step One: Get Started
** Make sure you understand your research assignment. ** **Read over your assignment to make sure you fully understand what is required and how you will be assessed.** **Consider the following as you carefully read the assignment:** If you focus too quickly on the end product, you may miss some of the important research steps and find yourself writing a paper without enough understanding of the topic to do an A+ job. Start a journal or notebook and begin jotting notes about not only "what" you plan to do but also "how" you plan to do it.(IPL) **Brainstorm Possible Topics** Start with a broad topic of interest to you. What are you interested in that fits withing the expectations for the assignment.
 * How does it relate to the rest of my course work?
 * Can I choose my topic or has it been assigned to me?
 * ** What is the final product - a paper, a presentation, a speech? **
 * ** Is there a minimum or maximum length? **
 * What quantity and variety of sources should I aim for?
 * Does my teacher want me to use NoodleBib?
 * Is an [|annotated bibliography] required?
 * When is the assignment due?
 * Is a research log required?

**Generate Questions about an Area of Interest.** ****Start a List of Key Words**** **Identify the main concepts and [|keywords].** **Make a list of words or short phrases that describe your topic and closely related topic**s.
 * What do you already know about the topic you are interested in?
 * Make a list of questions that you would like What weeesle would you like to learn about your to to learn about your topic
 * Find an overview of your topic. If you cannot find an overview, your topic might be too narrow.
 * Read the overview and take notes about what interests you. Pay attention to the table of contents, headings and subheadings, index, and bibliography. They will help you develop a list of keywords.

**Sources To Use for an Overview** Encyclopedias Text Books Subscription Databases Reference Books Class Notes **After getting an overview of your topic, you may want to narrow or broaden your topic depending on the information you have found**.

**Test your topic** Using your keywords, test your topic by searching the BHS library and/or Brookline Pulic Library catalogs as well as sources available on the internet. For your topic to pass the test, information should be found in several different sources. ** State Topic as Question ** **A topic question will help you focus your research and develop a thesis statement.** For example, if you are interested in finding out how the lack of sleep effects teenagers' school work, you might pose the question, "What effect does the lack of sleep have on the academic performance of high school students?
 * ** If you are overwhelmed with sources, try narrowing your topic. **
 * ** For best results, put quotations around phrases when searching. ** For example: "sleep deprivation" and "high school students".
 * If you are underwhelmed with sources (can't find enough), try broadening your topic. This can be done by using "or". For example: students or teenagers and "sleep deprivation".
 * If you are not finding information, try a different angle on your topic or start over with a different topic.
 * Still having trouble finding information? Ask your teacher or librarian for advice.

** **Submit a Research Proposal** ** **Now submit a [|research proposal] to your teacher.** **If your teacher approves your proposal, you are ready for Step Two,** Creating a Research Strategy.

[| Step Two]