Research involves investigating topics by collecting information from multiple sources and organizing it meaningfully. People conduct research to learn, for fun, to share information, or to become experts in their fields. Researchers include scientists, lawyers, doctors, teachers, actors, and students. A topic is the main idea being researched, while a subtopic is a smaller part of the main topic. When choosing a research topic, one should pick a topic they are interested in learning more about and find information for easily. Information can be found through books, interviews, videos, magazines, newspapers, and credible websites. Taking notes involves focusing on what is relevant to the topic and will interest readers, while avoiding plagiarism by paraphrasing information.

1. What is Research?
Ms. Ghio 3rd grade

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
Most websites ending in .edu
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?