Good Research?

Does research make you feel like this? Then you've come to the right place!

For the past two weeks, we've been talking about, conducting, and writing about "research." We've read Kantz. We've visited the librarians. We've even gone out and conducted a bit or research ourselves. Now it's time to reflect on what we've learned!

In your groups, I want you to discuss some tips/strategies/pieces of advice about research that you would give to an entering college freshman. What is it that makes for "good research?" Try to incorporate advice from the Kantz article, but also think beyond that: what have you learned previous to this class about research? In your other classes this semester? From the librarians? From your own practices?

Develop a list and be ready to share it with the class! We'll be adding to this blogpost. Remember, your AUDIENCE is FYC students.

An FYC Guide to Good Research
By: Ms. Hoerth's (adjective to be determined) Students


7:45

• Wikipedia is not a credible source, but the citations at the bottom MIGHT be! It gives a good background, but shouldn't be used in our actual research
• Interviews are good sources for opinions
• Maintain an unbiased perspective when conducting research. Use points of view for comparison
• Be receptive to information that contradicts your theory (it makes your argument even stronger!)
• Use all available resources (not just google!). Library databases, books, scholarly articles, and googleSCHOLAR.
• When writing your research, don't just paraphrase what you get from your resources, but CREATE an argument.
• Check where and when the source was published. See if it's still relevant or if it's biased.
• Don't plagiarize (Cite, put things in your own words, and create original arguments about your sources).
• In your writing, make sure you've answered your theory
• Keep in contact with your primary sources to make sure they're on task
• Use primary research wisely. Cite specific details and similarities to answer your question.

9:45

• Have enough time to ANALYZE your sources (don't procrastinate!)
• Talk to professors to get additional points of views and feedback
• Get feedback from your peers, too.
• Wikipedia is not reliable source, but it is a good starting ground to get background information
• Don't rewrite what's already been told -- make it your own!
• Get different points of view to help strengthen your argument
• Have "good" sources to back up your ideas (one that elaborates and has credible citations) 
• If you're doing primary research, have a variety of subjects
• Know your resources -- check to see if it's valid (a good hint is to use the library, online databases, googleSCHOLAR)
• Cite sources persuasively to convince your audience of your argument
• Stay on topic in your paper
• Have a "plan" for what you're researching (and a back-up).
• Make your research plans a heuristic, not an algorithim. BE OPEN TO CHANGE.

11:45

• Have an understanding of your topic. Research other people's thoughts, then add your own (dig deeper)
• Take your time, because rhetorical reading and writing do take time. 
• Construct a claim by asking questions and using the K. triangle
• Try obtaining multiple feedbacks (the blog, friends, anyone you trust)
• Have an actual interest in your research. It will help!
• Make simple so people can understand (depends on your audience)
• Use multiple sources with different points of view (if you find a contradictory point, use it!).
• Sources aren't just articles! Use other media 
• Make the research paper a conversation. Add to the conversation in your writing (discourse)
• Origin, purpose, value and limitations for analyzing sources
• Research should be open to change. Your IDEAS should be changing as you go 
• Make sure your sources are still relevant
• Research should be broken down -- look at both pros and cons.

Reflective Writing Assignment (To be completed in class before you leave!):

Based on today's class discussion and the Kantz article, do you think you're conducting "good research?" What do you think you're getting right? What do you think you need to work on? Use specifics from your experiences working with the Stage assignments to support your claim.

If you need a bit more direction, think about the problems Shirley encounters in her research and discuss how you're overcoming (or not) those difficulties.


Reminders for next week:

FRIDAY

Stage IV Work day.
Stage III Revisions are due. Bring them by my office from 8:00-11:30am COAS 269

MONDAY
Stage IV DRAFT 1 due. Bring 1 copy to class
Also, bring copies of Stages 1-3 with my feedback to class for an in-class reflective assignment.
It is very important that you're in class on Monday and come prepared.