Collecting Information:
Summarize, Paraphrase & Taking Notes
Sources of Information At the beginning of the research process it is important that you consider what type of information you need and then where to find it. We speak of sources as Primary, created at the time the event occurred, and Secondary, created after the event. The following are a selection of “types” of information you may consult. Library Please see the Building Knowledge section of this website for instruction on how to use a Library Catalog. Online Internet When involved in serious research, the reliability of information, available for free, on the internet becomes an issue. There are times, however, when the internet is a very good source of information. Whenever you use the internet you must make an effort to ensure that the information you are getting is accurate, reliable and up-to-date. Cross-check the information you use with other sources, preferably published. Use the following checklist to determine whether or not the information is of quality. Accuracy
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Databases
An online database is a comprehensive collection of information in electronic form and organized for quick retrieval. Typically it is comprised of a large collection of encyclopedia, magazine, and/or newspaper articles, and occasionally other media such as transcripts, interviews, maps, historical documents, photos and videos. Databases, like encyclopedias can be general or subject specific.
Importantly, information contained in published articles has gone through some degree of editing. That means knowledgeable people from the field have reviewed and edited the information before it is published. We call this process refereeing.
Go to library.sd36.bc.ca and click on your school
From the Library Catalog Home , see
Access the Surrey School District's Digital Resources HERE
Click on Secondary
Click on the icon for Academic Search Primer
An online database is a comprehensive collection of information in electronic form and organized for quick retrieval. Typically it is comprised of a large collection of encyclopedia, magazine, and/or newspaper articles, and occasionally other media such as transcripts, interviews, maps, historical documents, photos and videos. Databases, like encyclopedias can be general or subject specific.
Importantly, information contained in published articles has gone through some degree of editing. That means knowledgeable people from the field have reviewed and edited the information before it is published. We call this process refereeing.
Go to library.sd36.bc.ca and click on your school
From the Library Catalog Home , see
Access the Surrey School District's Digital Resources HERE
Click on Secondary
Click on the icon for Academic Search Primer
In the search box type your subject. Make sure the Full Text and the Peer Reviewed boxes (on the left) are checked. It is important that you use the right terms. Sometimes a bit of experimenting is required. You will get literally thousands of articles, from a variety of sources such as magazines and newspapers.
You may search for articles from a specific journal by entering the name of the journal in the Publication field. (Set the date range on the right to limit the search).
Reference works
A Reference book is “a book designed to be consulted when authoritative information is needed, rather than read cover to cover. Reference books often consist of a series of signed or unsigned "entries" listed alphabetically under headwords or headings, or in some other arrangement (classified, numeric, etc.). The category includes almanacs, atlases, bibliographies, biographical sources, catalogs, concordances, dictionaries, directories, discographies and filmographies, encyclopedias, glossaries, handbooks, indexes, manuals, research guides, union lists, yearbooks, etc., whether published commercially or as government documents. Long reference works may be issued in multivolume sets, with any indexes in the last volume.”
“Glossary.” University of Newcastle Australia InfoSkills. Online. http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/library/tutorials/infoskills/glossary.html#R. 16 September 2010.
Monographs
Monograph is a term referring to a published book. Part of the process of identifying sources on a given subject, is the necessity to identify the major writers in that field. Monographs that have been written by well know scholars in the field, and important titles on your chosen subject, should be consulted and included in your annotated bibliography.
Articles
Articles are typically shorter works of writing, as compared to a book, that are more narrow and specific in focus. They are published usually in encyclopedias, newspapers and serial publications (magazines/journals), and are accessed through an index.
See Databases above for information on accessing the articles available through our online resources.
Statistics
Statistics are very important in the research process. One of the most convincing ways to present an argument is to provide statistical or numeric evidence. Statistics Canada has a wonderful, searchable website. In your work, try to use Canadian data and statistics.
You may search for articles from a specific journal by entering the name of the journal in the Publication field. (Set the date range on the right to limit the search).
Reference works
A Reference book is “a book designed to be consulted when authoritative information is needed, rather than read cover to cover. Reference books often consist of a series of signed or unsigned "entries" listed alphabetically under headwords or headings, or in some other arrangement (classified, numeric, etc.). The category includes almanacs, atlases, bibliographies, biographical sources, catalogs, concordances, dictionaries, directories, discographies and filmographies, encyclopedias, glossaries, handbooks, indexes, manuals, research guides, union lists, yearbooks, etc., whether published commercially or as government documents. Long reference works may be issued in multivolume sets, with any indexes in the last volume.”
“Glossary.” University of Newcastle Australia InfoSkills. Online. http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/library/tutorials/infoskills/glossary.html#R. 16 September 2010.
Monographs
Monograph is a term referring to a published book. Part of the process of identifying sources on a given subject, is the necessity to identify the major writers in that field. Monographs that have been written by well know scholars in the field, and important titles on your chosen subject, should be consulted and included in your annotated bibliography.
Articles
Articles are typically shorter works of writing, as compared to a book, that are more narrow and specific in focus. They are published usually in encyclopedias, newspapers and serial publications (magazines/journals), and are accessed through an index.
See Databases above for information on accessing the articles available through our online resources.
Statistics
Statistics are very important in the research process. One of the most convincing ways to present an argument is to provide statistical or numeric evidence. Statistics Canada has a wonderful, searchable website. In your work, try to use Canadian data and statistics.
Media
Film/video, audio
We live in a media age and there is much information to be gained from this source. Like the internet, information from media and social media presents credibility issues. Used carefully however, these can be rich sources of information.
Photographs
Historical Photographs are wonderful sources of information for the historian. As primary sources of information, they represent something that is real, something that was created at the time of the event, and something that was created for a reason. They represent values, beliefs and culture, and in turn they can influence values and beliefs. When you are using photographs in your historical research, you must become an active decoder as you interpret its message.
Film/video, audio
We live in a media age and there is much information to be gained from this source. Like the internet, information from media and social media presents credibility issues. Used carefully however, these can be rich sources of information.
Photographs
Historical Photographs are wonderful sources of information for the historian. As primary sources of information, they represent something that is real, something that was created at the time of the event, and something that was created for a reason. They represent values, beliefs and culture, and in turn they can influence values and beliefs. When you are using photographs in your historical research, you must become an active decoder as you interpret its message.
Transcripts
Transcripts from media events, conferences, speeches and more are often available through databases and online.
Transcripts from media events, conferences, speeches and more are often available through databases and online.
Inquiry Portfolio
Your Inquiry Portfolio is the digital place where you will showcase your Inquiry Project, the process and the product. It is a working document showing your progress and learning.
Throughout the project, you will use the Portfolio to:
Your Inquiry Portfolio is the digital place where you will showcase your Inquiry Project, the process and the product. It is a working document showing your progress and learning.
Throughout the project, you will use the Portfolio to:
- Complete mini-assignments and reflections through regular entries
- Record sources
- Store notes and other documents created throughout the project
- Store your completed project regardless of the format you have chosen
- Reflection: what is my understanding of inquiry.
- Reflection: my choice for study and why.
- Timeline and Goals
- Background knowledge collected
- Sources: annotated bibliography
- My Research Question
- Research notes
- Reflection: am I ready to proceed? Do I need to do more research?
- Outline
- Wow factor – create new meaning, ask new questions.
- Draft
- Project
- Preparations for presentation
- Reflection: in the end what did I do well, what did I learn, what would I do differently next time?
Inquiry Portfolio Timeline & Checklist
library_supported_inquiry_protfolio_entries_checklist.pdf | |
File Size: | 332 kb |
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Daily Reflection of Learning
reflections_of_learning.docx | |
File Size: | 15 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Evaluating Internet Resources
craap_detection_test.docx | |
File Size: | 123 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Note Taking Sheets
notetakingsheets.doc | |
File Size: | 27 kb |
File Type: | doc |
Research and Thinking Guide
research_and_thinking_guide.doc | |
File Size: | 111 kb |
File Type: | doc |
Evaluating Webpages Checklist
evaluating_webpages_3.pdf | |
File Size: | 179 kb |
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Summarizing
summarizing.docx | |
File Size: | 190 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Paraphrasing
paraphrasing.docx | |
File Size: | 191 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Taking Notes while Viewing or From a Lecture
take_good_notes.docx | |
File Size: | 17 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Taking Notes from a Reference Source
taking_notes_from_a_reference_source.pdf | |
File Size: | 297 kb |
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