A research study is an attempt to learn more about a topic by reading about it. You may choose any topic then read two books connected to it.
Choose a research topic. read two books related to that topic. At least one of the books must be nonfiction. Give a live or recorded presentation where you demonstrate what you have learned.
There will be essentially 6 parts to your presentation. I would recommend working on gathering evidence for these parts throughout the course of the semester.
Part 1 - Research Goals:
Explain to your audience what you are hoping to learn from your reading.
Explain the concept that you are hoping to explore.
Explain your reasoning for choosing this topic as well as what texts your chose to help you answer this question.
Have 5 research questions that you will try to answer as you read through the texts. These questions can be about ideas from the novel or just general questions. These questions should be level 2 questions.
Part 2 - Novel Summary:
If you read a fictional novel, you will want to discuss the following.
You will want to be sure to address the following aspects of your text:
Plot
Conflict
Characters
Themes
Connection to the concept you are researching
Part 3 - Nonfiction Summary:
If you read non-fiction texts, use these questions to guide your discussion.
You will want to be sure to address the following aspects of your text:
Author background and qualifications.
Subject of the text
Purpose of the text
Structure of the text (How is it organized?)
Part 4 - Text 1 Discoveries:
Explain to what extent your first book choice helped you learn about your topic.
Look at your first text and ask yourself:
How has my knowledge of my topic expanded?
Did this text answer any of your research questions?
Did this text provide any unexpected or interesting insights into your topic?
Part 5 - Text 2 Discoveries:
Explain to what extent your second book choice helped you learn about your topic.
Look at your second text and ask yourself:
How has my knowledge of my topic expanded?
Did this text answer any of your research questions?
Did this text provide any unexpected or interesting insights into your topic?
Did this text conflict with information you found in the first text?
Part 6 - Research Findings:
Discuss what you have learned about this topic.
Discuss your five research questions and what answers you were able to find.
Talk about further questions that developed as you learned about this topic.
Explain what steps you would take next if you wanted to further your knowledge of this topic.