How do I research?
When working on an assignment, your research should follow four key stages:These 4 stages are recommended by the University of Melbourne. |
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How do I research?
When doing research it is a reflex to immediately open up a web browser and begin typing words into google. Before you do that though, it can be incredibly helpful take a moment to think and plan.
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Analyse the task description. What are you being asked to do - describe, compare, evaluate, or reflect on something?
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What are you being asked to write - an essay, a report, or a different type of assignment?
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Are you clear on the word limit, due date or any other submission requirements?
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Should you focus on the materials you've been given in class, or are you expected to find other sources? Make a note of these instructions for when it's time to research.
(Source: University of Melbourne)
Ensuring that you understand the task is an important step in the planning phase of your research. The video below gives some tips on how to do this.
It can sometimes be difficult to know how to begin your research. Taking a moment to come up with a list of search terms can help you get started. Search terms (or keywords) form the basis of what you will type into your search engine of choice.
Initially, you need to use find relevant search terms by:
- Analysing your assignment question and looking at what language is used to describe the topic?
- Reading your subject material and notes to find specific terminology used that could provide search terms
- Thinking about synonyms - are there other words that mean the same thing as your topic (For example: "film" vs "movies" vs "cinema")?
- identifying the most relevant types of resources for your task - books, encyclopedia, websites, journals (databases) etc.
Deciding where to search is just as important as deciding what to search for. Keep in mind though that where you look to find information will vary depending on what sort of information you are searching for. Contrary to popular belief, Google does not have all the answers. See below for some suggestions
- The Library catalogue
- The Melbourne High School LibGuide
- The State Library of Victoria (sign up for a free membership to access quality academic databases and journals that Google doesn't search!)
- Links Plus
