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Synthesizing
Research Synthesizing
Publish at Scribd or explore others: Primary and High Sch Education
Thesis Worksheet - Upload a Document to Scribd

Here's another one from the University of Wisconsin on how to effectively integrate quotes into your writing :
Integrating Quotes - Upload a Document to Scribd
References for Creating and Checking Citations
Purdue OWL links for Research and Citation
Automatic Citation Generators
CitationMachine
MLA
Sample Criteria:
Sparta Paper Layout - Upload a Document to Scribd(being reformatted)
Also, be sure to check out the MLA style guide at Purdue's OWL. It is extensive and up to date.
APA

Synthesizing
Thesis Worksheet - Upload a Document to Scribd

,
Sorting and Sifting
(Changes suggested here need to be made to the scribd documents and re-uploaded)
Your System of "What Goes Where?"
Back in the Planning stage, you were asked to create a system, or to use a system that your teacher gave you, to handle your information as it came in: which question does it answer? where does it belong in the overall design of your project?

Formulate a "target" or "focus" statement which reflects what you intend to research and surround it with questions you intend to answer as you move through the project.
This statement does not have to be the thesis statement of the final paper nor do the questions have to get at the essential question you are attempting to answer.
This is material that I condensed and adapted into the information above.
2. Choose the topic. To do this properly, you should "brainstorm" a list of topics, look through a textbook on the subject for possible topics, search the MRC for topic ideas, talk to your teacher or the MRC specialist for ideas, and make sure that you are at least somewhat interested in the topic.
A. Make sure that the topic is appropriate within the limitations established in the course as explained by the teacher.
B. Do a preliminary survey to determine how many sources and how much information you are likely to be able to find. Abandon any topic for which you will be unable to find sufficient research material. (See Part Two of this handbook for more guidance on the search strategy.)
3. Narrow the topic so that you can cover all relevant aspects within the space limitations of your assignment. To do this, you should read a general encyclopedia article about the topic and develop a focus for your research. (Ask the basic research questions about the topic: "Who? What? When? Where? How? Why?") At this point check with your teacher about your direction.
Parkin, J (4/21/2004). Westward the Course of Empire Goes” – American Imperialism in the Pacific Ocean during the Nineteenth Century. Retrieved September 22, 2008, from Westward the Course of Empire Goes” – American Imperialism in the Pacific Ocean during the Nineteenth Century Web site: http://www.siue.edu/EDUCATION/AAM/lesson/parkin/AAM/AAM-Imperialism/AAM-Lesson_Plan-Imperialism.htm

The planning begins here: record the dates and the requirements in your organizational tool of choice.
This tool, called the Research Project Calculator (http://rpc.elm4you.org/), was developed for high school and college students and helps you schedule when tasks need to be completed for a major research project. Watch this screencast to learn how it works.
problem is.
Define the questions you want to ask about your topic; use lists to broaden or narrow your topic:
social significance?
cultural significance?
religious significance?
human connection?
impact on change?
will any kind of bias impact my research?
how many sides of the argument are there?
what is my personal avenue in?
how pervasive is the topic?
global ? individual?
How will my opinion sway my thesis?
Some Some activities that
Make connections between your topic and prior knowledge--What do you already know?
Flip-It chart
Concept mapping and Brainstorming. This can be done on paper, or if you prefer to work on line, here are some free tools you can use to create concept maps: Mindomo, MIndmeister, Bubbl.us, Mind42, ExploraTree, WikiMindMap
Pre-writing
Questioning
social significance?
cultural significance?
religious significance?
human connection?
impact on change?
will any kind of bias impact my research?
how many sides of the argument are there?
what is my personal avenue in?
how pervasive is the topic?
global ? individual?
How will my opinion sway my thesis?
Before Moving on....
FormulateCreate a Working Thesis:
Formulate a "target" "focus" statement (working thesis) which reflects the project. This will allow you to organize your search to some degree. This
This statement does to answer. Again, consult with your teacher about the direction which you have taken with the topic.
This is material that I condensed and adapted into the information above.
2. Choose the topic. To do this properly, you should "brainstorm" a list of topics, look through a textbook on the subject for possible topics, search the MRC for topic ideas, talk to your teacher or the MRC specialist for ideas, and make sure that you are at least somewhat interested in the topic.

Initial Inquiry: Determine exactly what the problem is.
Define the questions you want to ask about your topic; use lists to broaden or narrow your topic:
social significance?
cultural significance?
religious significance?
human connection?
impact on change?
will any kind of bias impact my research?
how many sides of the argument are there?
what is my personal avenue in?
how pervasive is the topic?
global ? individual?
How will my opinion sway my thesis?
Some activities that should take place during this initial inquiry are as follows:
Make connections between your topic and prior knowledge--What do you already know?
Exploit Google
Use strategies to narrow your focus and develop specific questions and determine what information you need.
What information is needed to solve the problem? Once you have figured out what the problem is, or have been told what it is by your teacher, you can now begin analyzing what you will need to begin gathering.
To accomplish this task, you might try some of these options: {http://www.siue.edu/EDUCATION/AAM/lesson/parkin/AAM/AAM-Imperialism/american_imprialism-concept_map.jpg} (Parkin, 2004)
Concept mapping and Brainstorming. This can be done on paper, or if you prefer to work on line, here are some free tools you can use to create concept maps: Mindomo, MIndmeister, Bubbl.us, Mind42, ExploraTree, WikiMindMap
Discuss and contemplate possible topics with others- conversations in class and Moodle discussion board posts (if your class is a Moodle Class)
Write out lists of questions that you will answer during the course of your research.
Cluster Diagram of all related questions- create a cluster of similar questions. If you are planning on using notecards to help you organize your notes and sources, include these questions with the sources that answer them.Pre-writing
Before Moving on....
Formulate a "target" or "focus" statement (working thesis) which reflects what you intend to research and surround it with questions you intend to answer as you move through the project. This will allow you to organize your search to some degree. This statement does not have to be the thesis statement of the final paper nor do the questions have to get at the essential question you are attempting to answer. Again, consult with your teacher about the direction which you have taken with the topic.

Where do you begin when you are asked to write a research paper or complete a research project? The Research Cycle framework is centered around the idea of inquiry. Below are listed a series of steps that will aid you in this first stage of the Cycle. Within each step are also resources you can use to help you figure out what to do and where to go.
Know the Parameters
Know whatFollow the requirementsexplicit directions of your teacher as to the assignment are, specifically and exactly. This will include the deadline date, the numberformat of pages/words required, the number of required sources,paper and the kinds of sources (books, periodicals, etc.) required for the assignment.its deadlines.
The planning begins here: use a calendar, your phone, or your assignment pad to record the and the requirements.requirements in your organizational tool of choice.
This tool, called the Research Project Calculator (http://rpc.elm4you.org/), was developed for high school and college students and helps you schedule when tasks need to be completed for a major research project. Watch this screencast to learn how it works.
Initial Inquiry: Determine exactly what the problem is.
What are the problems, issues, people, or topics you are interested in? In some cases, this will be determined for you by your teacher, but in others, you will be required to process through the first phase here. Ask yourself questions that will lead you to a clearly defined problem.
DefineDefine the questions narrow your topic.topic:
Some activities that should take place during this initial inquiry are as follows:
Make connections between your topic and prior knowledge--What do you already know?

A General Overview of the Research Cycle
{bubblus_Student_Research_Cycle.jpg}{bubblus_Student_Research_Cycle(4).jpg}
"Once you have learned how to ask relevant and appropriate questions, you have learned how to learn and no one can keep you from learning whatever you want or need to know."-Neil Postman and Charles Weingartner
We've adopted an approach to research that builds on our rich history within the English department and adds elements of digital literacy, organization, and publication. To encompass all that we would like you to understand. This is known as The Research Cycle. It consists of the following elements: