Research project-5-pts Bagrut

1. Research Project
FOR YOUR ORAL BAGRUT

2. Step I: Choosing a Research Topic
Before you start thinking of a topic for your
research paper, watch this short video.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXNztCLYgxc

3. Step I: Choosing a Research Topic
On your own or with your partner, brainstorm ideas:
 Write down every idea that comes into your head.
 Then delete any subjects which might be too broad, too
narrow, uninteresting, etc. Be ruthless.
 Group similar ideas together. See if you can’t combine two
ideas to make one.
 Again, delete any subjects which might be too broad, too
narrow, uninteresting, etc. Be ruthless.
 Repeat until you have a topic for your project which is
interesting, creative, and not too broad to research.
Send your topic to your teacher for approval before continuing.

4. Step 2: Formulating a research question
Now that you have a topic, it’s time to think of a
question that interests you and that you would like to
find out more about. Watch these two goofy people
give you tips on developing a research question.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aYA1ooRce8

5. Step 2: Formulating a research question
Now you're ready to develop your research question.
When formulating your question, remember to ask
yourself:
 Can I discuss the question adequately in the space I
have?
 Will I have to leave something out?
 Will I run out of things to say?

6. Step 2: Formulating a research question
Now separate your research question into two or three
parts. These sub-questions will make up the body of your
research paper.
Note: Two questions does not necessarily mean less work.

7. Step 3: Sources
Once you have finalized your research questions, begin
looking for sources of information. You are required to
use at least six different resources.

8. Step 3: Sources
Types of sources:
 Articles
 Journalistic
 Academic
 Professional
 Interviews
 Single interviews with experts
 Multiple interviews with relevant
populations
 Crowd-Sourcing
 Questionnaires
 Social Media

9. ARTICLES: Where to find them and
how to choose them
You can begin by entering your question into a search
engine such as Google. You will be offered thousands
(if not tens of thousands) of options.
NOTE: Wikipedia is NOT a valid resource, but
Wikipedia articles have citations at the bottom which
may help you.)

10. Criteria for choosing an article:
 Who wrote it? - If the article doesn't have an author, it is a suspicious resource. You will
need to have a detailed bibliography, including the name of the person who wrote
every article you use*. If you're very diligent, you should look up the writer to see his or
her qualifications.
 Can you read it? – If the level of writing or the vocabulary is too sophisticated for you, skip
it. You will probably be able to find other good articles you can read with more ease.
 Does it help you answer your question? – Sometimes an article is very interesting, but in
the end not particularly relevant to your topic. If you have an article with only one relevant
section, then feel free to use it.
 Does it help you answer your question in an intelligent manner? – You may find an
article which is fun to read, but doesn't provide 'quality' information.
 Is it too long or too short? – Don't choose an article which is very short. By the time you
summarize it, there won't be anything left. Don't choose an article which is so long you
can't find the relevant information in it.

11. IMPORTANT: You will need to
include a copy of each source in
your final project.

12. INTERVIEWS - Interviewing an Expert
You may choose to find an expert on your subject to interview.
BEST - Conduct the interview in person.
ALSO GOOD - Use a video service (Skype or FaceTime).
LESS GOOD - Conduct a telephone interview.
ANOTHER OPTION - Interview in an online chat.
You should record the interview if possible so you can return to it as you
write. Make sure you can cite the qualifications of your expert! This means
title, position, education, accomplishments, etc.
An "expert" can also be a case study, in which you interview and/or
follow someone who has experienced the phenomenon you are
researching.

13. INTERVIEWS
- Conducting Multiple Interviews
A series of short interviews with a number of people who are involved
with your subject. This will allow you to compare and contrast different
opinions or experiences.
In both cases, you should prepare questions ahead of time according to
your topic and your research question.

14. CROWD SOURCING
- Gather your own statistics
You may prepare a questionnaire with several questions your target
population can answer.
 On paper – to be distributed among your target population and
then collected.
 By using a social media platform such as Facebook.
Be creative, but remember that you will have to consolidate
and process the responses.
Keep your questions simple.

15. Part III: Writing
WHAT TO DO WITH THE INFORMATION
Your first step will be to summarize the articles you have chosen.
Prepare your bibliography as you work including:
 The title of the article
 The full name of the author(s)
 The website where you found it OR
the publication in which it appears
 Any other relevant information

16. SUMMARIZING THE ARTICLES
This will be the basis of your chapters.
Use the SQ3xR technique…
S – Skim/Survey the text
Q – Write Questions based on the survey
R – Read the text and answer your questions in note form
R – Rewrite your notes as coherent text, without using the
original text
R – Review what you have written and correct your mistakes

17. SKIM/SURVEY
Look at the structure of the text:
 introduction and conclusion
 headings
 titles
 paragraphs
Note: Not every text has a clear and helpful structure.

18. WRITE QUESTIONS
"What and Why and When / and How and Where and
Who" (Rudyard Kipling)
 Questions have to be adapted to each particular text,
but these six question words can be a good starting
point.

19. READ
 Now that you know what kind of information you are
looking for, read the whole text.
 Write down the main points, as answers to the questions
you asked.
 Look for topic sentences. Underline or use a highlighter to
help you. Note: In a long article, not every paragraph has
a topic sentence.
 If possible and necessary, use graphic organizers
(flowchart, etc.)

20. (RE)WRITE
 Based on your notes, and not on the basis of the original
text, write the summary.
Sit on the original text if you have to. Seriously, don't look
at the original text during this stage of the summarizing
process. This will keep you from plagiarizing.
 "Collapse" paragraphs – If paragraphs are related and if
they repeat/explain/give details about each other, try to
combine the information they contain into one or two
sentences.

21. (RE)WRITE (cont.)
 Collapse lists – Where possible, and if necessary, use
one word or phrase for a list of things. For example:
eyes, ears, neck, arms, legs  body parts; ice skating,
skiing, sledding  winter sports
 Delete unnecessary details, trivial information, and
repetitions.

22. (RE)WRITE (cont.)
 Do not give your personal opinion. Save this for the
conclusion.
 Give credit to the source; make clear that this is a
summary of an original text.

23. (RE)WRITE (cont.)
 Paraphrase – Try not to use words from the original
text, but to say the same thing in your own words
using synonyms, parallel phrases, etc. REMEMBER: If
you are able to paraphrase a sentence or a text well, it
usually means that you have understood what you
have read.
 Use connectors to link the sentences. Add
introductory and closing sentences to your
paragraphs.

24. REVIEW
 Read the summary (aloud if possible) to see if the text is
fluent and cohesive. It should make sense, be readable
and understandable. Correct any mistakes.
 See if the summary gives the "big picture", and check if
the questions that you asked are all answered in the
summary.
 Make any necessary changes and review the summary
once again.

25. SUMMARIZING THE ARTICLES
Do this for each article you have chosen.
Use the SQ3xR technique…
S – Skim/Survey the text
Q – Write Questions based on the survey
R – Read the text and answer your questions in note form
R – Rewrite your notes as coherent text, without using the
original text
R – Review what you have written and correct your mistakes