Where Do I Where Do I Begin?Begin?

Getting Started with Your Research Assignment

How to Start •Think of ideas for a subject or

topic, something you are interested in

•Come up with keywords

Most research projects Most research projects follow a step by step follow a step by step

patternpattern

1. Plan the project2. Select and refine your topic 3. Find sources/locations4. Evaluate your sources5. Organize your findings6. Present your findings

When

Who Where

What is it

define

Story

Quote

Why

Looking for InformationLooking for InformationCheck the library for:

BooksPeriodicalsGovernment documentsNewspapersVideosHuman expertise

Time ManagementTime Management

Start early. Break your assignment into

manageable chunks of work. Give yourself lots of

time.

Do…Use your own words and ideasKeep track of all the sources you usedGive credit for

ideas, photos, diagrams, graphics, multimedia by citing the source

direct quotes using quotation marks and citing the source

Paraphrases, restating the author’s words or ideas in your own words, must be citedCosmetic changes still require a citation,

i.e., reversing order, changing layout, etc.

Evaluate your SourcesEvaluate your SourcesAccuracy

Does the source seem correct? Do you need to check the information with a second source?

CurrencyIs this source up to date?

ObjectivityIs this source unnecessarily biased?

CoverageWhat is the purpose of this source?

AuthorityWho is the author / publisher of this source?

Thesis StatementThesis Statement

States the topic / main idea of the paperShows the purpose of your paperShows the direction of your argument Written in focused, specific languageIt is interesting

Come up with a Come up with a thesisthesis statement for your essaystatement for your essay

This states the topic/main idea of the paper

It shows the purpose of your paper

It is interesting

IntroductionBe very clear about what the main idea is

BodyTurn the key ideas in your outline into paragraphs

ConclusionSum up your thesis – show you have proven something

IntroductionIntroduction8 ways to introduce your topic

Background informationDefinitionStoryQuestionQuotationContradictionFact or statisticSurprising statement

Body of the PaperBody of the Paper

Topic sentence at the beginning of each paragraph

Supportive ideas follow the main ideaWith each new “big” idea, start a new

paragraphSentences and paragraphs should be

smooth and logically connected

ConclusionConclusion Ways to conclude your paper

Review key points and restate your thesis in a “new” wayRecommend a course of actionMake a predictionEnd with a relevant quotation

Plagiarism and APA stylePlagiarism and APA styleapastyle.orgapastyle.org

What is Plagiarism?What is Plagiarism?

Taking credit for work that isn’t your own!

1. Quotations1. Quotations

Double quotation marks around short quotations (<40 words).

Longer quotations (>40 words) block indent and omit quotation marks.

In Text Short Quotation In Text Short Quotation (<40 words)(<40 words)

“An honor code usually consists of a signed statement in which students promise not to cheat and not to tolerate those who do” (Harris, 2001, p. 117).

Long Quotation Long Quotation (>40 words)(>40 words)

Athletes are searching for anything that will make them more competitive including

nutritional supplements, such as vitamins, energy bars and drinks that may compensate for dietary deficiencies, and over-the-counter products like shark cartilage and amino acids, which purport to increase muscle mass, boost energy and endurance, prompt weight gain (or loss), or reduce recovery time between

workouts. (Jollimore, 2004, p. 54)

Reference ListReference ListAcknowledges all the sources you have cited in your project

Organized in alphabetical order

Strictly follows citation style format (APA, MLA . . . )

Reference List Reference List Rules to RememberRules to Remember

1. For journal articles, books, videos, and websites: Only capitalize the First letter of the title, proper nouns & first word after a colon.

2. Authors’ names must be inverted, using only the first & middle initials. For more than one author use the “&” before the final name.

3. Indent each line after the first line.

5. There is no period at the end of a website citation.

6. Personal communications are only cited in text, not in reference list.

Rules of Italics

Italicize the titles of journals, magazines, newspapers, books, videos and web documents

Italicize the volume number of a journal but not the issue

number Canadian Art, 24(3) Do not italicize article titles from journals and magazines

ReferencesReferences

Anderson, D. (2001, August 3). Statement by Environment Minister David Anderson on Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Retrieved July 24, 2004, from http://www.ec.gc.ca/Press/2001/010803_s_e.htm

Blicq, R. (2001). Guidelines for report writing. Toronto: Pearson Education Canada.

Booth, W. C., Colomb, G. G., & Williams, J. M. (1995). The craft of research. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Harris, R. (2001). The plagiarism handbook. Los Angeles: Pyrczak.

Health Canada. (2004). West Nile virus. Retrieved July 19, 2004, from http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/westnile/index.html

Jollimore, M. (2004, June 21). Fuel’s gold: Why Canada’s athletes pay so much attention to what they eat. Time, 163(25), 52-61.

Reitman, J. (2004). The Baghdad follies. Rolling Stone, 952/953, 110-117.