Take notes

Note taking

During all stages of your research process you will be taking notes. You will eventually use ideas from others to create your own knowledge or arguments. It is very important that you represent these ideas correctly. It is also vital to remember where the information came from - you will have to cite your sources!

Note taking steps

Write down the details of your source (author, title, URL)
Write down exactly what you find (copy and paste!) and where you find it (e.g. page numbers)

When you decide to actually use the information you can:

Paraphrase, write it in your own words and make sure you don't twist the original idea

In your product (easy, poster, presentation, etc.):

Combine, contrast, use the ideas of others to create/build your own thoughts or new knowledge

Note taking tools

It is a good idea to have a template for your note taking. Below is the note card template from NoodleTools. It give you all prompts to ensure that you don't forget important details.

At the start of you research process you probably will only use the 'Copy-Past' box. Later in the process the 'Own Words' and 'Original Thinking' will develop.

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