Research Phase
1. Take notes and conduct further research as necessary
Once you have a variety of high-quality sources, the next thing to do is go through them in detail. When reading through your sources, it is important to take notes. Not only does the note-taking process help you learn the information, the notes themselves are an important visual aid in your paper-writing process.
If, in your note-taking process, you notice that you are missing vital information needed to deeply answer your essential questions, conduct further research.
Note-taking tips
Here is a website with information on several different note-taking methods. The important thing is to choose a method that works for you!
If, in your note-taking process, you notice that you are missing vital information needed to deeply answer your essential questions, conduct further research.
Note-taking tips
- Use the PKS note-taking guides to help you stay organized. These guides should be kept in the Research Phase section of your project binder
- Skim your entire source before you read it in detail. Skimming will help you understand how the document is laid out and what the main ideas are.
- Search for the subject headings in the material you’re reading and write them in your notes. They’ll help you find relevant information faster, and they’ll provide you with reference points when you review your notes later.
- Write down every fact or note that may be of use to you in your paper. Do not write down things you already know or would never include in your finished work.
- Break down the text into small groups of paragraphs. Read each group one-by-one, taking notes between groups. Breaking up the text into smaller, bite-sized pieces will help you process the information.
- Do not write down information from the text word-for-word. This takes too much time and prevents you from using your higher brain functions to filter out and process important information.
- If a source is too dense or has too many dates, don’t feel like you need to write every bit of information down. Make a note of where the dense parts are and move on.
- Do not depend on underlining or highlighting. Find your own words for notes and write them on your note-taking guide. This helps you process the information and avoid plagiarism when writing your research paper later on.
Here is a website with information on several different note-taking methods. The important thing is to choose a method that works for you!