QUICK RESEARCH

QUICK RESEARCH

When doing research, it’s important to have a plan before you start. Part of that plan is writing down keywords or phrases that relate to your topic.

For example, if your topic is about food preparation then some words you can use are things like stove, cooking, preparing, cutting, defrosting, kitchen, etc. All these words have to do with how food is prepared. This is called a keyword search, meaning you are using keywords and phrases that will help you focus your search.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=17&v=OTfezBLAkdo&feature=emb_logo

Instruction:

Watch the video “How to do quick research” which is in the same part of the module that this discussion board is in. The video will walk you through the process of doing quick research:  1) Find and list keywords 2) Consider your tools 3) Determine if the information is credible (Use CAPOW) 4) Use the information needed.

For this assignment, you will need to limit your search to the library databases and the New York Times. Do not use Google or any other search engine.

The video below shows you how to access the library databases

When you’re done, answer the questions below. Answer the questions fully. (One or two simple sentences for each question will not do). When you are done, answer two of your classmate’s comments, focusing on expanding the conversation rather than agreeing or disagreeing.

The discussion board will be graded with the Discussion Rubric.

Note: The videos walk you through the processes of how to do the research and to access the databases. The outcome and search that is conducted in the videos is NOT your assignment.

Questions:

1. Knowing what you know now about what your Proposal Essay assignment will be, pick a subject. Write down some keywords or phrases that you can use to help you search. Phrases should be no more than three words. Try to get as close to 10 keywords and phrases as possible. (Adding and “s” or an ending to a word like “–ing” will still be counted as one word).

2. Go into the library databases and/or the New York Times and use the keywords you just listed to conduct your search. Combine words and phrases using Boolean operators such as AND, OR, and NOT. Play around.

3. What did your research turn up? What do you know now that you didn’t know before?

4. What were your sources and how did you evaluate if the information was useful and reliable?

5. Now, look at the keywords from question 1. How would you adjust your keywords now that you know more about the subject?