Research can seem like a different language with its own vocabulary. So, when you are assigned specific types of projects, it's a good idea to have a thorough grounding in the language that your professors use.
1. Project Basics
2. Create a Research Plan
4. Perform the Search
5. Cite Your Resources
6. Read and Evaluate
7. Annotate
Research Bytes |
Tips and Resources on Writing Well in Seminary |
Using ATLA Religion Database & ATLA+ |
Seriously, DO NOT skip this step, or just "do it in your head." Write it down! Having a formal research plan, even though you won't ever turn it in, will help you streamline your research and make it take much less time.
Also, treat your research plan as a dynamic, living document.
It sounds weird until you are used to it, but it really is best to start your research with creating your citations. As soon as you select a source to read, set up the citation in your citation manager or even on an old-fashioned index card. Then, as you read and take notes, you can simply record the citation number and the page number you are reading. And, if you find that the source is not useful, you can remove it from your list with little effort. This will help you keep your information organized, help you avoid accidental plagiarism, and track your research.
Taking notes is critical to preventing accidental plagiarism and other academic integrity violations. If you are using printed journal articles, you can highlight them and/or take notes in the margins, but remember not to mark in library books. We still get mad about that!
Some common note-taking systems: