Research Help 

What is Research?

Research is the process of finding information to answer questions or solve problems. For high school students, it means looking up facts, reading books or articles, and sometimes conducting experiments to learn more about a topic.

Why is Research Important?

• Learn More: It helps you understand subjects better.

• Build Skills: Improves your reading, writing, and critical thinking.

• Prepare for the Future: Teaches you how to find and use information, which is useful for college and careers.

Types of Research

• Qualitative Research: Involves talking to people or observing things to understand ideas and experiences. For example, interviewing classmates about their favorite books.

• Quantitative Research: Involves collecting and analyzing numbers. For example, conducting a survey to find out how many students prefer online learning.

1. Introduction to Research

• What is Research?: A simple explanation of research and why it’s important for school projects and beyond.

• Types of Research: Brief descriptions of qualitative and quantitative research, with examples relevant to high school subjects.

2. Research Process Steps

• Choosing a Topic: Tips on picking a topic that interests you and meets your assignment requirements.

• Formulating a Research Question: How to create a clear and focused question to guide your research.

• Conducting a Literature Review: Steps to find and summarize existing information on your topic.

3. Finding Sources

• Library Catalog: How to use the school library catalog to find books, e-books, and other resources.

• Databases and Journals: Accessing academic databases and journals available through the school library.

• Evaluating Sources: How to determine if a source is credible and relevant for your research.

4. Organizing Research

• Note-Taking Strategies: Effective methods for taking notes, such as using index cards or digital tools.

• Citation Management Tools: Introduction to easy-to-use tools like EasyBib or Citation Machine.

5. Writing and Presenting Research

• Writing Tips: Guidelines for writing a research paper, including how to structure your paper and tips for clear writing.

• Citation Guides: How to properly cite sources in formats like MLA or APA.

• Presentation Skills: Tips for creating and delivering a great presentation, whether it’s a slideshow or a poster.

6. Ethics in Research

• Plagiarism: What plagiarism is and how to avoid it by properly citing sources.

• Ethical Considerations: Basic ethical guidelines for conducting research, like respecting privacy and giving credit to original authors.

7. Interactive Tools and Resources

• Tutorials and Workshops: Links to online tutorials and information about in-person workshops offered by the school library.