MLB4: Searching, Evaluating, Using, and Citing Great Resources
'How to Approach a Research Project (Getting to the real Research Questions, so you can answer them)
*Here's a pretty nice WIKI that talks about the research process. I found it interesting that the WIKI-er describes a research paper as a "persuasive essay" that you use to prove a point (or dispute it), and to give evidence that shows solutions.
*Here is a "Beginning Research Decisions" paper (a fill in to get started on an essay)
*Research requires reading multiple articles, and drawing conclusions from them. It involves proving or disproving your base questions. It is NOT just summarizing information.
*Internet Search and Cite is a great place to review vetting Websites for their reliability, and for gathering the information you need to cite a reference. (It even uses the RACE method, whose "C" includes the cited information you gather.)
*Many people start research by going to Google, and then finding info and just writing it down. This is OK for casual questions, but it's really NOT a great idea when doing a paper for school. Look at your reference BEFORE you get too deep into it. Make sure it's a reliable reference, and that it has the 5+ items you need to cite it. Then, go on and read it in depth.
Checklist:
*What's its purpose?
*Who wrote it?
*Do others back up the information (organizations)
*Copyright date good?
*Relevant and readable by you?
*Double check that its not Wikipedia or some other "sponsored" site by the search engine that is not a reliable reference for school. All wikis can be authored by ANYONE!
*See below for more info on "vetting" a reference. (Finding the 5+ items you need to make a citation will usually help you determine if it is a reliable reference.
*GHS Plagiarism Policy
*Want to make a citation quickly? Get all the info you can, then go to http://www.citationmachine.net/mla/cite-a-website . Put in the URL, then fill in any gaps of what it didn't find (if possible). You may have to change the font to Arial 12, but it does all the formatting for you.
*Here's a pretty nice WIKI that talks about the research process. I found it interesting that the WIKI-er describes a research paper as a "persuasive essay" that you use to prove a point (or dispute it), and to give evidence that shows solutions.
*Here is a "Beginning Research Decisions" paper (a fill in to get started on an essay)
*Research requires reading multiple articles, and drawing conclusions from them. It involves proving or disproving your base questions. It is NOT just summarizing information.
*Internet Search and Cite is a great place to review vetting Websites for their reliability, and for gathering the information you need to cite a reference. (It even uses the RACE method, whose "C" includes the cited information you gather.)
*Many people start research by going to Google, and then finding info and just writing it down. This is OK for casual questions, but it's really NOT a great idea when doing a paper for school. Look at your reference BEFORE you get too deep into it. Make sure it's a reliable reference, and that it has the 5+ items you need to cite it. Then, go on and read it in depth.
Checklist:
*What's its purpose?
*Who wrote it?
*Do others back up the information (organizations)
*Copyright date good?
*Relevant and readable by you?
*Double check that its not Wikipedia or some other "sponsored" site by the search engine that is not a reliable reference for school. All wikis can be authored by ANYONE!
*See below for more info on "vetting" a reference. (Finding the 5+ items you need to make a citation will usually help you determine if it is a reliable reference.
*GHS Plagiarism Policy
*Want to make a citation quickly? Get all the info you can, then go to http://www.citationmachine.net/mla/cite-a-website . Put in the URL, then fill in any gaps of what it didn't find (if possible). You may have to change the font to Arial 12, but it does all the formatting for you.
Searching Resources
Chances are you will sometimes need to find information you don't already know, especially in school. When gathering information, you must decide on a "research question"...what you want to find out...and then REDUCE that to a Search Query or Search Key to put in a search engine. Even if you already have a great educational site, you probably will have to use a "search" to get to the specific question.
(MLB.4.5)Here's some tips for choosing good search keys:
You really need to IDENTIFY KEYWORDS for your search that are effective. Like:
*Whenever possible, use 3 or 4 words that are KEY to your research question. NOT WHOLE QUESTIONS!
*Use +before something to include it, and -before something to exclude it
*Use NOUNS as opposed to verbs
*Do NOT use articles (a, the, an) or pronoun (he she we). They appear in too many texts
*Use modifiers only when they help dfine your object. Like: Miami Dolphins
*Use phrases of 2 or 3 words the must be found TOGETHER in that exact order to be right. If they are titles, try putting quotation marks around them.
*Use synonyms
*Spell correctly
*If you want to improve your searching skills, here is a great blog to follow. http://searchresearch1.blogspot.com/ Each day, this blog places you somewhere, and asks you information to find about it.
*You can also do a google search practice daily at http://www.agoogleaday.com/#game=started
MLB.4.4: Identify various browser features, such as menus and tools, which could be used to access information efficiently on the Internet.
Your internet providers, such as Internet Edge, FireFox, or Chrome have "Internet Browsers" , which are graphic user interfaces for displaying HTML files, used to navigate the World Wide Web. Most have features to aid you. Want to save some important sites by BOOKMARKING the URLS? Need to ZOOM in on small information? Can you write addresses in the URL address bar? TRY A COUPLE THINGS!
Here is a site that explains some of the features of browsers:
*http://about-the-web.com/shtml/browsers.shtml
(MLB.4.5)Here's some tips for choosing good search keys:
You really need to IDENTIFY KEYWORDS for your search that are effective. Like:
*Whenever possible, use 3 or 4 words that are KEY to your research question. NOT WHOLE QUESTIONS!
*Use +before something to include it, and -before something to exclude it
*Use NOUNS as opposed to verbs
*Do NOT use articles (a, the, an) or pronoun (he she we). They appear in too many texts
*Use modifiers only when they help dfine your object. Like: Miami Dolphins
*Use phrases of 2 or 3 words the must be found TOGETHER in that exact order to be right. If they are titles, try putting quotation marks around them.
*Use synonyms
*Spell correctly
*If you want to improve your searching skills, here is a great blog to follow. http://searchresearch1.blogspot.com/ Each day, this blog places you somewhere, and asks you information to find about it.
*You can also do a google search practice daily at http://www.agoogleaday.com/#game=started
MLB.4.4: Identify various browser features, such as menus and tools, which could be used to access information efficiently on the Internet.
Your internet providers, such as Internet Edge, FireFox, or Chrome have "Internet Browsers" , which are graphic user interfaces for displaying HTML files, used to navigate the World Wide Web. Most have features to aid you. Want to save some important sites by BOOKMARKING the URLS? Need to ZOOM in on small information? Can you write addresses in the URL address bar? TRY A COUPLE THINGS!
Here is a site that explains some of the features of browsers:
*http://about-the-web.com/shtml/browsers.shtml
(MLB.4.1-4.3) Here are some of my favorite "vetted" sites for research:
1. http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/ Adult version: www.nationalgeographic.com
2. https://www.brainpop.com/ Use greenwoodms/woodmen to login
3. www.si.edu (Smithsonian Institute)
4. If you are at school, it should go on automatically if you click on www.worldbookonline.com. If you are at home, click to login at http://worldbookonline.com/wb/Login?ed=wb (Login with gwshome/woodmen)
5. www.42explore.com (A student teacher search database)
6. www.bio.com
7. http://www.who2.com/ :another biographic site
8. www.loc.gov (library of Congress...Home of the Primary Source)
9. www.nps.gov (national park service)
10. http://www.sweetsearch.com/
11 Our GMS available resources: Library Home Page (Click here to find GMSIMC resources, and MORE) Go to our school page to find DESTINY (the list of books in our library) and Accelerated Reader (the list and quizzes for AR)
12. Google books (If you need to cite a BOOK, you can read one online)
13. http://www2.sweetsearch.com/sweetsites/categories/middle-school/students
14. https://middlespot.com (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. : login through your google drive page. Middle spot is a place to make desktops with all the resources you collect and want to save. If you are a "graphic" organizer, this is something you might like.
15. factmonster.com (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. : Put your search words in the search box and go....Also helps you with your homework.
16. http://www.wolframalpha.com/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. : a great search engine for technical and science subjects, especially. (Pro is REALLY cool, but costs money.) Great for definitions and will find information for you as well.
17. http://www.kidsclick.org/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. : Lots of vetted sites result from a search
18. http://www.infotopia.info/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. : An educational alternative to ole Google machine.
19. https://scholar.google.com/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. : Ok, so you want to use Google. Here's an "eduational" version, full of scientific artlcles by professors, along with helps to make citations and all.
(MLB.4.1 and MLB.4.6) Setting Up for Research Notes: (Includes RACE, MLA CITATION, and image (optional)
*Research information is gathered evidence, explanations, and proof for statements you make.
One strategy to follow is the RACE method.
(Restate the question, Answer the question, Cite evidence(2) from a reliable source, and give EXPLANATIONS(2).
Another strategy is to answer the "EVIDENCE AND JUSTIFICATION" Cheat Sheet questions (SMEKENS):
*What evidence do you have for that opinion?
*Can you justify your thinking with proof from the text?
*What are your reasons for that?
*How do you know that is true?
*Could you give me an example from the text?
*What in the text made you say/think that?
*Can you identify another detail that supports your idea?
*How does that evidence connect to the ....?
*How does that detail prove that.....?
*Tell me more about what you mean by that?
Example of how to put together research notes with citations. You may have to login to your Google Drive. Click here.
Researching????? Explanation of the RACE method and "DON'T BE THIS PERSON"
Using the MAAM method (Smekens)
MLB.4.2:Evaluating Resources:
1.Determining Real or Fake?
Now that you have FOUND sites that apply to your writing subject, you have to determine whether they are good sources of information or not. Do these assignments: 1. Read at least one of these articles, and complete a KWL chart concerning fakes, hoaxes, or fraud that you may find on the Internet.
|
How can you tell? |
2. Now look at some examples of "fake", bogus, hoax, or bias sites. Look at at least two, and write one full sentence for each about how you can tell it is "bogus" in some way. (Check out the "resources" too) Downright Fake
Hoax Busters. |
3. Wikis are not allowed in educational research! (About.com, wikipedia.com or any other sites that can be contributed to by ANYONE. You have no idea in this case whether the information is reliable or not.)
Again NO WIKIPEDIA!
Determining the Quality of a Resource
Look at the criteria below. Also, use this source.
Again NO WIKIPEDIA!
Determining the Quality of a Resource
Look at the criteria below. Also, use this source.
MLB.4.6:Citing Resources
You will use resources for a variety of papers and projects through your school career. Typically, you will use resources to answer a research question or to prove points that you wish to in an assignment. It is important to use them correctly by giving credit. If not, you are PLAGIARIZING. (See Digital Citizenship) There are many ways to cite references, but in Middle School, we will be using MLA form of citation. It will be easy to write a citation if you keep track of this information for all resources you use:
*My explanation of "Works Cited pages"
*An example of a Works Cited page with all the correct formatting*
*Do you use the Internet for all your researching, and now your teacher says you need a VARIETY of sources? Try any of these: Almanacs:Bible:Biographies:Books:Google Books: CDs:DVDs:Dictionary:Email:Encyclopedias:Government Publications:Interviews:Lectures:Magazines:Maps:Newspapers:Journals:Pamphlets:Television Programs:Video Recordings.
*Quotation Marks and where they go is never easy to memorize. Here is a paper from the OWL|Purdue site with Quotation Mark rules
- The URL address . (.edu is better than .com...never use google as your URL)
- Title of the HOMEPAGE for the website
- The webpage ARTICLE title
- The author (s) and or editors
- The copyright year or even better, the date, month and year (Written like this 12 January 1999)
- Remember to write the ACCESS DATE in day month year order (The day you went there)
- If you can't find an author, a "reputable" organization (US gov. dept, boy scouts, etc.) is good to record also.
*My explanation of "Works Cited pages"
*An example of a Works Cited page with all the correct formatting*
*Do you use the Internet for all your researching, and now your teacher says you need a VARIETY of sources? Try any of these: Almanacs:Bible:Biographies:Books:Google Books: CDs:DVDs:Dictionary:Email:Encyclopedias:Government Publications:Interviews:Lectures:Magazines:Maps:Newspapers:Journals:Pamphlets:Television Programs:Video Recordings.
*Quotation Marks and where they go is never easy to memorize. Here is a paper from the OWL|Purdue site with Quotation Mark rules
Here is my Symbaloo Research page. It includes some great references, plus auto-citation machines (be careful that you still find any info it doesn't), paperrater for editing help, and the OWL Purdue site....it has EVERYTHING you may want to know about writing papers and citing them.
Use this link if the embedded information below isn't there: www.symbaloo.com/mix/researchstandard
Use this link if the embedded information below isn't there: www.symbaloo.com/mix/researchstandard
Photo used under Creative Commons from Bengt Nyman