Study Tips
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Planning a Research Assignment
DEFINE What do you really need to find out about?
Gain a clear understanding of the task; identify the key components: work out the key words.
LOCATE the information you need.
Which will be the best resources to provide the information and know why; where will be the best places to find the information, e.g. library, organisation, internet, person.
SELECT what is relevant.
Understand how various texts are constructed so you can find relevant information quickly; determine whether information is accurate. This is analysis. Analysing involves deciding whether the information will enable you to address the task.
ORGANISE the information collected.
Combine your ideas from different sources into your own unique answer. This is synthesis. Synthesising involves categorising the information selected, into a logical order so as to address the task.
PRESENT the completed task.
Structure into the required format necessary to meet the objectives of the task. Create a logical and coherent flow backed up by evidence and acknowledgement of resources.
ASSESS your work.
Asses the process you went through to complete it: identify what you learned and how you can improve.
Check Your Sources
Sources: materials that provide you with information such as books, journals, videos, internet sites, films and/or images.
Checking your sources is essential for maintaining the quality, credibility, and integrity of your assessment task. It's a crucial step in the research process that helps you produce accurate, well-supported, and effective assignments.
Checking your sources is important for several reasons:
Accuracy: Checking your sources ensures that the information you use in your assignment is accurate and reliable. Inaccurate or unreliable information can lead to errors and misunderstandings in your work.
Credibility: Assessing the credibility of your sources helps you determine if they are trustworthy and authoritative. Using reputable sources lends credibility to your own work and strengthens your arguments.
Avoiding Plagiarism: Properly citing your sources and giving credit to the original authors is essential to avoid plagiarism.
A good starting point is to ask yourself the following questions when assessing new information:
● Is this information up-to-date?
● Is this information detailed?
● Is the author identified?
● Is the author qualified on the topic?
● Are sources cited?
● Does the information come from a trusted source?
Select Domains Wisely
Domain: A domain is a name that helps people find websites or resources on the internet. E.g : https://matrasport-h.schools.nsw.gov.au/.
When searching for information, it is encouraged that students use domain extensions like .com, .org, .gov, and .edu as they have strict requirements and criteria to register the information provided.
Domains like .com and .org are typically associated with commercial purposes and may contain information that is not up to date or factual.
By being aware of these distinctions, students can ensure the reliability and credibility of the information they use online and make more informed decisions about the sources they choose to trust to use for their school work.
Citation
Citation: It is a way of giving credit to the original source of information or ideas that you use in an assessment or essay. It's like saying, "Hey, I got this information from this book, and I want to acknowledge it."
When engaged in writing essays, students should be familiar with how to use quotation marks, compile notes, and structure a bibliography.
Google Docs has an add-on feature that automatically generates bibliographies and footnotes according to various citation styles, e.g., Chicago, APA, MLA, etc.
Compiling a Bibliography
Bibliography: Is a list of the sources you have used in your assessment and is arranged alphabetically by author's surname.
To be organised it is a good idea to write out the full bibliographic details at the time you use a source.
This prevents the problem of trying to find details like a publisher, or date of publication at the last minute when you have completed your essay. It makes more sense to keep adding to your bibliography as you go along.
There are several methods of setting out each bibliographic record but at Matraville Sports High School we have chosen to use the Harvard method.
A detailed method description is available in the school library. However, for a book with one author or a website, follow the instructions below:
Author's surname, author's first name. (Year of publication). Title. Place of publication: Publisher (no need for Press; Books; Ltd)
Example:
Grassmayr, Jacqueline. (2013). Canon reloaded. Melbourne: Cambridge University. p.12
Plagarism
Plagiarism: is when you pretend that you have written or created a piece of work that someone else originated. It is dishonest and it could jeopardise your assessments and HSC exam results.
Plagarism is copying and pasting information from the internet and using the ideas of others that are not your own. When you paraphrapse (reword or summarise text that you have read) you must cite the author in the text and in the references list.
In some schools, teachers check students work using plagiarism detection software, such as Turnitin.
For example:
You read an original statement: "Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining good health, as it helps to strengthen muscles, improve cardiovascular fitness, and boost overall well-being."
In-text Citation (Harvard Method):
When you paraphrase and reference this statement, you would include the author's last name, publication year, and page number if applicable.
Paraphrased Statement: Consistent exercise plays a crucial role in sustaining one's well-being, by enhancing muscle strength, cardiovascular endurance, and overall health (Smith, 2021).
In this example, the paraphrase restates the original source's idea in your words while properly crediting the source.
Approaches to Research
Collaboration
Collaboration involves working together to achieve a common goal. It promotes high levels of interaction and communication between students and colleagues.
Mind Map
Mind Maps are simply diagrams that visually represent ideas. They can be done individually or collaboratively using words, pictures, or both.
With much in common with brainstorming, Mind Maps are an excellent way to begin the planning process, as they are a superb means of organising complex ideas.
Many people use paper and pens to create Mind Maps for their projects. However, options online, providing templates and tools to help you develop your own Mind Maps.
Be organised
Using an online calendar, such as those pre-installed on many phones, helps ensure you keep track of your to-do list, and many will even provide regular reminders as those deadlines loom near.
Create Checklists
Not only are checklists a great way to ensure you have fulfilled all the criteria of a given task, but they are also an effective means of planning out all the points you need to hit to complete a project successfully.
The information process:
The Information Fluency Framework is the primary source of information outcomes and processes for teacher librarians and school staff to use together with Information skills in the school, as a support document to the Library Policy.