The Research Process
Step #1. Define the Task
Step #2. Know what sources you will need:
podcasts
newspapers--look in databases
magazines--look in databases
academic journals--look in databases
Step #3. Collect your resources--online, school library, public library, specialized libraries (e.g. museums), etc..
Step #4. Read & Take notes. Use NoodleTools to keep track of your notes.
Step #5. Form Conclusions about what you read & Organize your findings
Step #6. Evaluate your work
*Here is a detailed explanation of each step.
Creating MLA/APA/Chicago Citations For Your Notes & Works Cited Page*
NoodleTools is a place where you can keep all your research notes, keep track of your sources, write a rough draft, make annotated bibliographies and create works cited and reference pages easily. You will need to set it up at first by signing in through your school Google account.
BibMe
Cite Book, Web, magazine, newspaper and film sources instantly.
Citation Maker Highly Recommended
Requires students to actively add components for each type of citation. Provides citation generators for print, web and many media sources.
EasyBib
Cite websites, books, magazines, journals and 59 other types of sources. Not all components of a citation will be provided. Once you provide a URL Address or an ISBN, make sure all missing information is added by you.
In-text Citations (MLA format)
Use this resource to help you incorporate citations throughout your writing.
Other Citation Styles
From Duke University, this cite gives you the other types of citation styles: includes the APA, Harvard, Turabian, and Chicago styles.
Sample MLA Annotated Bibliography
Use this example from the Purdue OWL to format your annotated bibliography.
Sample Annotated Bibliography
This sample comes from Cornell University Library.
Other Resources
Worksheets
Research Index Cards
This is a Google Slides presentation. Each slide resembles an old fashioned index card. You can write your source citations, direct quotes and a summary/paraphrase of your direct quote on each card. Then arrange your notes into categories so you can write an outline and form a thesis statement.
Thesis Development
This resource guides you in developing a thesis statement.
How to Develop a Thesis
From ProQuest, this worksheet helps you work with SIRS Knowledge Source to develop a thesis statement on any topic, and gather the evidence to support your thesis.
MLA Works Cited Worksheet
Use this to create your own citations.
Note-Taking Table
As you read through your sources, take notes. Use the first column to write the citation of the source (see directly above), the second column to copy and paste important information (don't forget the quotation marks, author's name & page number), and the last column to paraphrase or think about how you can use the information for your project or paper.
Outline
Once you have read a number of sources, formed your thesis statement, and collected your evidence, use this worksheet to organize your thoughts.
Tutorials/Games
Annotating PDF files using a Mac
This tutorial shows you how you can use Preview to annotate any PDF file. You can write text, underline, highlight and create hyperlinks.
Avoiding Plagiarism
Everyone hears of plagiarism, but few know how to avoid it. This interactive game/tutorial will help you learn how to cite your sources and avoid plagiarism.
The Citation Game
Play the citation game to learn how to make and test your ability to write an MLA citation for your works cited page. Choose the MLA examples, drag and drop the components of each work in the correct order, and check your answers.
Guides & Examples
Purdue Online Writing Lab
Look on the left side to find MLA citation rules and examples
Sample Paper
From the Purdue Online Writing Lab. Download the sample paper to see how headings, page numbers, and in-text citations should be written in an MLA paper. The Works Cited page shows how to organize your sources.
*Always make sure web-generated citations are accurate. Use these resources to check for accuracy:
MLA Handbook
Go to FollettShelf, login with your student ID (username and password) and search for the MLA handbook which describes the MLA rules (7th edition) you need to know when writing your papers. Covers topics such as thesis writing, narrowing topics, paper format rules, citation guidelines, and examples. Use this as a guide to make sure Web-generated citations are accurate.