1. Research Right!
Workshop 1: Preparing to Research
Alison Healy
Larissa K. Garcia
Genda Vann
Fall 2012
Triton College

2. Steps in the Research Writing Process
Select a topic/research question
Find sources
Take notes
Create an outline
Rough draft
Revisions
Works Cited Page
Final edit
Turn in complete paper
o Consult with your teacher and visit the Writing Zone

3. Develop a Timeline
Know your due dates-- Information can be found in your
syllabus or an assignment guide
Write important due dates in a planner/calendar
Work backwards and create your own due dates for different
parts of the your research project
Due Date Calendar.doc
Planned Research Calendar.doc

4. Selecting a Topic
1. It’s important to choose a topic that isn’t too broad, but
also not too specific.
Example topics:
Women in History
The difference between men and women’s salaries
1. Unbiased research: not an opinion paper

5. Design a Research Question
It is much easier to figure out where to look and what is
important if you design a question that you can find answers
for.
Topic: Media and Violence
 How does the media coverage of violence impact crime in communities?
Topic: Junkfood in Schools
Do bans on junkfood in restaurants, schools, and cafeterias
actually promote healthier eating habits among students?

6. Developing a Search Strategy
ResearchRight_wrkshp1 (2).pdf

7. Use the Internet (Google) when:
• Are willing to evaluate the content of websites.
• Know the web address/URL of a specific website you want to visit.
• Want to access information available on government (.gov) websites.
• Want to access commercial/business (.com) websites.
• Want to see advertisements.
• Want instant access to today's news.
• Want to find information on associations, organizations or groups,
programs, or personal web pages related to a topic.

8. Use library databases when:
• Need to find
o scholarly journal
o magazine
o newspaper articles
• Want to save time on your research.
o Library databases provide one-stop access to credible
information specific to your topic, instead of searching through
thousands of web pages.

9. CRAP: Evaluating Websites
C Currency
R Reliability
A Authority
P Purpose / Point of View

10. Evaluating Websites: Practice!
http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/rethinki
ng-healthcare/junk-food-tax-as-a-cure-for-
obesity/8829

11. Upcoming Workshops
Research Right: A Research and Writing Workshop Series
Learn to plan, research and write.
Workshop 2- Gathering Information- Thursday, Nov. 8th 1:00-2:30 p.m.
Learn how to use library resources and practice note-taking strategies.
Workshop 3- Writing the Paper- Thursday, Nov. 15th 1:00-2:30 p.m.
Learn to effectively incorporate your research, paraphrase and avoid
plagiarism.