Media Center - Research
How do I do research? Answer: AGOPP!
1. Ask. First ask, "What do I need to know?"
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This is linked to the assignment given to you by your classroom teacher.
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There may be specific information required by your teacher, or it maybe up to you to determine the specific information to include.
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Write down the the questions you are going to be trying to find the answers to during your research. This list of questions is called a question web or outline.
2. Gather
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Gather the materials you will need to find the answers. This means either get a book, map, magazine, newspaper, or use the computer to find a resource that you think has the information to answer your questions.
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You may also decide to interview someone who is an "authority" on your topic.
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Be sure to evaluate these sources.
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For example, a webpage on the Internet can be posted by anyone, so be sure that the information can be trusted. If you are not sure, definitely ask!
3. Organize
- Record the information that answers your questions and organize it.
- The best idea is to write this information in note form directly on your web under the question it answers.
- In this way you will be able to clearly see if you have all the information you need.
- You will also have the information organized so that you can easily turn it into paragraphs, a chart, poster, or online format. Don't forget to write down where the information came from.
- There is the correct bibliographic format for you to follow in your agenda book on page 8.
4. Prepare
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The information in note form in the previous step is now prepared for your final product.
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Think of this step as the drafting step.
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You will take the notes and prepare the information for completion of your task or assignment.
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You might have to do a rough draft and a final draft, or your organized information might be ready to put into a Powerpoint or Hyperstudio presentation. This step takes a lot of time, but it can't be done well unless the previous steps have been completed thoroughly.
5. Present
- The product of your research is now complete and presented to the intended audience.
- This may involve turning something in to a teacher, or doing a presentation in fornt of a group.
- Sometimes we conduct research for personal reasons, and the presenting step maybe what we are going to do with this new knowledge.
- In any case it is important in this presenting step to evaluate how you did.
- Look back at your original research questions.
- Did you find the answers you were looking for?
- Also think about the tools you used and what worked an what didn't work so that the next time you research will be even better.
- Still need help and have no idea what to do? See Mrs. Mullen in the Media Center for help!
Site maintained by Debbie Callow-Sheftell (Shef) - Banneker MS Webmaster. Last updated January 2009
