1. Task Definition- What is the assignment?

• Define the information problem
• Identify information needed

2. Information Seeking Strategies- Where can I find information?

• Determine all possible sources
• Select the best sources

3. Location and Access- Find sources and information

• Locate sources (intellectually and physically)
• Find information within sources

4. Use of Information- Record relevant information

• Engage (e.g. read, hear, view, touch)
• Extract relevant information

5. Synthesis- Organize information and write the paper

• Organize from multiple sources
• Present the information

6. Evaluation- Review and evaluate your paper

• Judge the product
• Judge the process
  

Helpful Research Websites:

Big 6 Research Paper Organizer
Big 6 Writing Process Organizer
Big 6 Information

Internet Public Library A+ Research and Writing
Purdue University Guide to Writing Research Papers

Cambridge Rindge and Latin School Research Guide
Online Research and Documentation

Researching and Organizing from Gallaudet University

It is recommended that you use library materials and databases for your research opposed to standard websites. The quality and reliability of the information is much higher. Anyone can create a website and the information is not checked for accuracy.

Locate quality information for your paper by:

• Searching the library catalog for relevant books.
• Searching databases for relevant articles.
  • Databases can be accessed from the library website. Click on the "Online Resources" link in the left navigation bar.
• Looking at a relevant "Web Portal" on the library website for suggested websites and library resources.
  • Click on "Web Portals" on the left navigation bar of the library website.

Examples of Citations

Book by a Single Author/Editor
 Information: Last, First Mi. Title. Place of Publication: Publisher, Copyright Date.

Example:

Venables, Stephen. To the Top: The Story of Everest. New York: Candlewick Press, 2003.

 

Book by Multiple Authors/Editors
Information: Last, First Mi. and First Mi. Last. Title. Place of Publication: Publisher, Copyright Date.

Examples:

Ehrenreich, Barbara, and John Ehrenreich, eds. The American Health Empire: Power, Profit and Politics. New York: Vintage Press, 2003.

Grossberg, Lawrence, Cary Nelson, and Paula A. Treichler, eds. Cultural Studies. New York: Random House, 1993.

Hall, Stuart, et al. Policing the Crisis. Basingstoke: Macmillan, 1979.

Work from an Online Database (i.e. SIRS, Opposing Viewpoints, EBSCO, CQResearcher)

Frick, Robert. "Investing in Medical Miracles." Kiplinger's Personal Finance Feb. 1999: 80-87. SIRS Researcher. XHS Library, Xenia, OH, 25 Feb. 2004 <http://www.sirs.com>.

Encyclopedia Article in an Online Database

"Yalta Conference." Encyclopedia Britannica. 2006 2005. Encyclopedia Britannica Online School Edition. 9 Feb. 2005 <http://new.school.eb.com/eb/article?tocId=9077748>.

Professional Web Site

Portuguese Language Page. U of Chicago. 1 May 1997 <http://humanities.uchicago.edu/romance/port/>.

Personal Web Site

Lancashire, Ian. Home page. 1 May 1997 <http://www.chass.utoronto.ca:8080/~ian/index.html>.

Plagiarism is using another person's words or ideas without giving credit to the other person.  According to Joseph Gibaldi of the Modern Language Association, "To use another person's ideas or expressions in your writing without acknowledging the source is to plagiarize.  Plagiarism, then, constitutes intellectual theft." (26)  Plagiarism is wrong because it is stealing, lying and insulting to teachers and fellow students.  Claiming someone else's work as your own is stealing the ideas and work of another. Putting your name on someone else's work whether it is a test, paper or homework assignment is lying.  Finally, pretending to do the work required is insulting to teachers who assign the work and students who spend time and effort doing the work. (Babbie)

For more information on what constitutes plagiarism and how to avoid it, see the link below.

References

Babbie, Earl. “Plagiarism.” Teaching Resources Depository: Other Teaching Tools. Social Sciences Research and         Instructional Council. 26 Oct. 1998. 28 Oct. 2002. <http://www.csubak.edu/ssric/Modules/Other/plagiarism.htm>.

Gibaldi, Joseph. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. New York: The Modern Language Association of America, 1995