You will be reading, viewing or listening to information from many different sources.
TEXTUAL INFORMATION: You will need to use several reading strategies to assist you in choosing and gathering the best information on your topic.
Skimming/Scanning:
Before reading in depth, scan the text for your topic, then skim over those areas of the text to determine if it is useful for your research needs. If it is, then begin careful reading (and often re-reading!) of the information, especially if it is a long or difficult passage. It is important that YOU understand what you are reading and the notes that you are taking from that text.
VISUAL/AUDIO INFORMATION: You should make use of the pause, fast forward and rewind controls to review or locate information relevant to your topic and needs.
Using information involves important skills in the research process.
Evaluating:
Note-taking:
Effective note-taking is essential to the success of your finished product. Its important to be organized and to use strategies that will ensure accuracy as well as save time.
Tips for Note-taking: (See the Note-taking guide for details on taking good notes.)
Methods for Note-taking:
Once you have located information in a variety of sources, begin to read, looking for answers to the essential questions you identified during your pre-searching/focus step of research. When you find information that answers a question, you should begin taking notes. There are three differnt methods of note-taking:
It is important to remember that copying someone else's words, ideas, or visual images is plagiarism. Plagiarism is considered stealing. You must take notes in your own words and give credit to (cite) the source of the information or image.
Properly Citing Sources: