April 28/29: Research Low-Level Questions

4/27/2020

Check-in: Quarantine Observations of Parental Units

Task #1: Small Group Discussion on Research Document Plan or Set-Up.

Show/explain how you plan to record your research.

Take turns using Screencasting to show the research document you have set up and how you will record your research. Aspects of research that you should be recording:

A system of organization. You can set your notes up as a table or in outline format. It is highly recommended that you use your research and guiding questions as your subtitles and add supporting notes, evidence, etc. underneath each of your guiding questions you are using. This is what we have practiced this year and is one of the easiest ways to ensure you stay focused on questions that should eventually lead you to being able to answer your research question. Remember to answer low-level (fact-finding) questions first. Then move onto your mid-level analysis questions. Again, it is okay if some of your questions shift or change as you get further into your research. Just strike through, remove and/or add guiding questions as your research progresses.

Basic facts and details about your issue. This is the information that is needed to answer your low-level questions.

Different perspectives. You will eventually need to record details (summary notes, evidence, quotes, etc.) representing 3-4 different points-of-view, perspectives of different stakeholders and voices being shared on your issue

Source information for 6-9 sources. Add links and basic details you would need for creating an MLA citation later. You will eventually need at least 2 sources from a minimum of 3 different perspectives (that is at least 6 sources + sources for general information). In total, most students find they end up using 9-12 sources for their research, depending on the focus of their research guiding questions.

Record your own thinking--your own ideas, wondering, insights, and further questions this raises for you (essentially QCI). This can be done as a separate row or column in a table, or in outline format as highlighted or different color text or as a "note" or "comment" added to a Google Doc--you decide what works best for you.

Videos for Note-taking Tips:

Task #2: Research and answer your low-level questions

Focus on trying to do some fact-finding to answer your low-level questions. This gives you enough information and time to make some final decisions about what direction you want to go with your research.

Keeping in mind the aspects listed above, use your low-level questions to guide the start of your research and start recording basic facts about your issue/topic. Be sure you are also recording details and organizing notes that help answer your low-level questions.

Use those questions as a way to organize your notes.

As you begin your research, you may find that you want to refine or change your primary/key research question and/or the lens through which you choose to research this issue. This is normal and okay. Just make those changes in your own research document (portfolio) you are creating.

Helpful Resources for Research:

Internet Research Tips ( Google doc)
Research & Note-taking Tips (Google Slides)
Videonot.es (be sure to click to connect with Google; use this to take notes from videos used in inquiry/research)

Unit 4 Global Issues - Course Webpage (more resources, tutorials, exemplars, and helpful websites for research)