2. What is research?
• To investigate
• To collect
information from
many sources
• To organize
information in a
meaningful way
3. Why do we research?
• To learn
• For fun
• To share information
• To become an
expert
4. Who does research?
• Scientists
• Lawyers
• Doctors
• Teachers
• Actors
• STUDENTS!!!
5. What is a Topic and a
Subtopic?
• A topic is the main idea that
you want to research.
• A subtopic is a smaller topic
within the main topic.
Example of a Topic: Volcanoes
Subtopics: Mount Vesuvius,
lava, ash
6. More Examples
• United States
of America
• Reptiles
• Solar System
• Weather
• Authors
• Sports
• Florida,
Alabama
• Snakes, frogs
• Planets, stars
• Rain, hurricane
• Dahl, Rawling
• Tennis, hockey
Topic Subtopic
Can you think of any Topics and
Subtopics?
7. How do I choose a topic to
research?
• Does the topic interest
me?
• Will I be able to find
information easily?
• Will I learn something
new?
• Is it too hard for me to
understand?
8. Where do I find research?
• Internet
• Books
• Interviews
• Videos
• Magazines
• Newspapers
9. Researching on the Internet
• Use credible sources.
• Make sure your source is
a “smart” one.
Kids.nationalgeographic.
com
Kidsclick.org
DO NOT use Wikipedia.
DO NOT use Ask.com
10. How do I Write a Bibliography?
Here are two examples from MLA
(Modern Language Association):
For a book: Schreiber, Anne.
Sharks!. New York: Scholastic, Inc.,
(c) 2008.
For a website article without an
author: Sharks.
http://animals.nationalgeographic.
com/animals/sharks/, January 13,
2015.
(the date is the date in which you did the research)
11. Taking Notes when Researching
• What is important?
• What is relevant to your topic
and/or subtopic?
• What will interest and
educate your reader?
• Remember to paraphrase
and summarize. If you copy
exactly what the author
wrote, you are plagiarizing.
12. More on Taking Notes
• If you’re researching
nocturnal animals and their
eating habits, does it matter
that some bats weigh as little
as 4 pounds?
• If you’re researching
inventions and their inventors,
does it matter that Thomas
Edison (inventor of the light
blub), had six brothers and
sisters?
