RESEARCH

WHY D

O W

E RESEARCH? A

ND HO

W?

WHY DO WE RESEARCH?

We research to learn new information on topics.

Examples of reasons why we research:

• Find new discoveries in medicine

• Learn new information on people, animals, and our world

HOW DO WE RESEARCH?

When we begin to research anything we must follow the steps on how to research.

Step 1: BrainstormIn this process it is helpful to

write down everything you know about the topic. Or you can brainstorm to choose a topic to learn more about!

WHAT ARE THE STEPS?

Step 2: Choose a TopicAfter you have brainstormed it is

time to finally decide on your topic. It should be something that is a question or you want to learn more about with the time you have

Bad Example: What is a fish?

Good Example: What is the difference between the gold fish and the clown fish?

WHAT ARE THE STEPS?

Step 3: Find researchIn this step you must find information about your

topic. You can use the internet, books or dictionaries. It is important to remember to use the websites I give you. If you find others let me check to make sure it is a good source.

Good Sources: They have correct information with a known author.

Bad Sources: Have little correct information without an author.

Ask me if you aren’t sure!

WHAT ARE THE STEPS?

Know what you're looking for - If you want information on blue jays, don't type in birds. Be specific!

Put words in quotation marks - If the words must go together, put them in quotation marks. "Toronto Blue Jays" will bring up the baseball team while Toronto Blue Jays will often give you the city and the birds.

Capitalize - Capitalizing a proper name will increase your chances of getting what you want. China will give you the country; china will give you sites on dishes!

Check your spelling - Most search engines will look for exactly what you have written. Pionear homes might not give you log cabins while pioneer homes will.

RESEARCH SEARCH TIPS FROM TORONTO PUBLIC LIBRARY

WHAT ARE THE STEPS?

Step 4: Combine ResearchNow that you have all your research you

need to combine it to decide what you are going to use in your project. Decide what research facts and information you are going to need. Ask yourself What is the most important information? That is what you should have in your final project!

WHAT ARE THE STEPS?

Step 5: Cite Your Sources

When you take someone else’s work you must give them credit. This is why we cite or share where we got our information. We will use this form to help us cite the information. We will use easybib.com to help us cite our sources.

WHAT ARE THE STEPS?

Step 6: Finish your projectThis is the final step of the research steps. This is

when you use all the research you combined to make your project.

LET’S GET STARTED RESEARCHING!