LEARNING OUTCOMES:

• Identify the benefits to proper research and documentation
• Read for maximum information retention and recall
• Take effective notes
• Plan a research strategy
• Identify and use various types of research sources
• Create preliminary and final outlines
• Use style guides and be able to identify the most common styles
• Document and attribute their work to ensure they don’t plagiarize

COURSE OVERVIEW & CONTENT:

Researching a topic can increase your knowledge and understanding of the subject, allowing you to expand your horizons and learn new things.

In this age of information overload, it can be hard to know where to find good information that you can trust. If you’re doing research for an important project, report, or proposal, how do you find information that you can count on?

This workshop will teach you how to research any topic using a number of different tools. We will start with basic techniques, such as reading, memory recall, note-taking, and planning. We will also talk about creating different kinds of outlines for different stages of your project, and how to move from the outline to actual writing, editing, and polishing. Most importantly, we will talk about how to use all kinds of sources, including a library’s Dewey Decimal System, journals, and the Internet.

After you complete this course, you’ll be ready to find reliable information on any topic, and turn that information into a compelling, accurate piece of writing.

Why are Research Skills Important?

• Some Real Benefits to Honing Your Ability to Find Good, Reliable Information

Basic Skills

• Three Fundamental Skills Needed to Perform Good Research:
  • Reading, Note-Taking, and Memory Recall
• Reading and Note-Taking Techniques
• PARSE in Action
• Improving Your Recall

Planning Your Research Strategy

• Laying the Groundwork
• Getting Focused
• Writing a Draft Outline

Where to Look and What to Look For

• Think Beyond Search Engines and Libraries
• The Differences Between Primary and Secondary Sources
• How to Analyze a Source’s Credibility

Finding Information the Old-Fashioned Way

• Useful Resources
  • Reference Sources, Journals, Trade Publications, and Network
• Understanding the Dewey Decimal System

Researching with the Internet

• Finding the Good Stuff
  • Tools for Assessing the Credibility of Any Site
• Mind Mapping

Getting Ready to Write

• A Way to Organize All Information Before Writing it
• Outlines

Putting Pen to Paper

• Writing Basics
• Revision Tips
• Documenting Your Sources
• Proper Attribution
• Plagiarism
• Documentation Styles
• Bibliographies
• Putting it Into Practice