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Do You Want to Know More?
When people want to know more about a topic, they do "research." The word
research means "to study thoroughly." It's important to follow a process
when you do research.
A 6-Step Research Process:
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1-TOPIC - Decide on a topic and then write down the
questions you have about the topic. |
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2-KEY WORDS - Make a list of the "key words" related to
your topic. These will help you locate information. The key words on the
Explore World History Student Research Guides are a good start for topics
in the chapter you are studying. |
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3-GATHER INFORMATION - Look for information about your
topic from different sources. You can find information on the Internet as well
as in magazines, encyclopedias, dictionaries, and books such as People and
Stories in World History: A Historical Anthology. The listing of books on
the Explore World History Student Research Guides can give you a start in
researching topics in the chapter you are studying. You also might talk to
experts about your topic. |
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4-EVALUATE - Be sure to evaluate the information. Is it
credible? Is it biased? |
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5-MAKE NOTES - Make notes about the information you
find. Be sure to write down information about your sources (e.g., author, title,
city and publishing company, copyright date). You will need this information for
your bibliography! The citation below for Deborah Heiligman's book gives you a
model for citations. |
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6-ORGANIZE - Organize your notes so you can write about
your topic or present it in some other way. |
Your teacher will help teach you more about how to do research. You also
might check out this book that will guide you through the research process:
Heiligman, Deborah. The New York Public Library Kid's Guide to
Research. New York: Scholastic Reference, 1998. This is an excellent
resource for students learning how to do research. There are guidelines for
using a library, using Internet resources, and doing first person interviews. A
Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People. REMEMBER!
"Fiction" books come from an author's imagination. They are not based on fact.
"Nonfiction" books are based on fact. "Historical fiction" blends fact with
make-believe.
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