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Formulating Effective Research Questions
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Today, we're looking at how to formulate effective research questions. Who can tell me why asking the right questions is essential in research?
Because if we donβt ask the right questions, we might look for the wrong information!
"Exactly! Asking the right questions leads to more targeted research. Let's remember this with the acronym *QUEST*:
Gathering and Evaluating Information
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Now that we have our questions, how do we find the information we need? What do you think?
We can use the library or search online!
Correct! Libraries have a wealth of resources. Online, however, we have to be cautious. What makes a source reliable?
Maybe if it has an author and is from a reputable site?
"Absolutely. When evaluating sources, look for authority, accuracy, bias, currency, and coverageβthis acronym can help you remember: *ABC2*.
Citing Sources Responsibly
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Letβs talk about why we should cite sources. Why is it important?
To give credit to the authors and avoid plagiarism!
"Exactly! Citing your sources respects those who contributed to your knowledge. Remember the acronym *CITE*:
Introduction & Overview
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Quick Overview
Standard
In this section, students will explore the essential research skills necessary for academic success. Emphasis is placed on formulating effective questions, gathering and evaluating information from reliable sources, and understanding the importance of citing sources responsibly to maintain academic integrity.
Detailed
Research Skills
In the context of the IB MYP English Language & Literature curriculum, research skills play a pivotal role in academic inquiry. Research skills are defined as the abilities to formulate effective questions, gather relevant information, and critically evaluate sources. This section will help learners understand how to responsibly gather data to support their arguments and analyses in literary studies. Key aspects of research skills include:
- Formulating Questions: The foundation of good research starts with asking the right questions. Learners will learn to design research questions that are clear, focused, and aligned with their academic objectives.
- Gathering Information: Students will develop strategies for collecting information from various sources, including books, articles, and digital resources. It's crucial to learn how to distinguish between credible and non-credible sources.
- Evaluating Information: Critical evaluation of information ensures that students can discern the quality and reliability of their sources, fostering a deeper understanding of the material.
- Citing Sources: Citing sources is essential for academic integrity. This section will illustrate the importance of citing sources properly, ensuring that students respect intellectual property and avoid plagiarism. Overall, research skills empower students to engage deeply with texts and build their own arguments based on evidence.
Audio Book
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Formulating Questions
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Introduce formulating questions, gathering and evaluating information, and citing sources responsibly (without external links in this module).
Detailed Explanation
Formulating questions is the first step in the research process. When you begin a research project, you should start by asking specific questions to guide your investigation. These questions help you focus on what you want to learn. For example, if you are researching climate change, you might ask, 'What are the main causes of climate change?' Starting with clear questions will make it easier to gather relevant information later.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine you are a detective trying to solve a mystery. Before you can gather clues, you need to ask the right questions to know what to look for. Just like a detective, researchers need to formulate questions that guide their search for answers.
Gathering Information
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Gathering and evaluating information.
Detailed Explanation
Once you have your questions, the next step is gathering information. This involves finding credible sources that can provide answers. Sources can include books, academic journals, websites, and interviews. Itβs important to evaluate these sources for reliability, relevance, and biasβensuring the information you gather is accurate and trustworthy. For example, a scientific article from a reputable journal is usually more reliable than a personal blog.
Examples & Analogies
Think of gathering information like collecting ingredients for a recipe. If you want to make a cake, you need to ensure you have the right ingredients. Similarly, when doing research, you need the right information from trustworthy sources to create a well-supported argument or understanding.
Evaluating Sources
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Evaluating the gathered information.
Detailed Explanation
Evaluating information means examining the sources youβve gathered critically. Ask yourself questions like: Is the author an expert? Is the information up-to-date? Does the source have a bias? This evaluation is crucial because using unreliable information can lead to incorrect conclusions. For instance, if you find an article claiming that vaccines are harmful from a non-expert blog, this needs to be critically assessed against scientific consensus and reputable sources.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine youβre buying a used car. You wouldnβt just trust the first seller you find; you'd check the carβs history, reviews, and compare prices. Similarly, in research, you must check the sources and ensure they are credible before using them in your work.
Citing Sources
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Citing sources responsibly (without external links in this module).
Detailed Explanation
Citing sources means giving credit to the original authors of the information you used in your research. This is important for several reasons: it avoids plagiarism, allows others to find your sources, and adds credibility to your own work. Different formats exist for citing, such as MLA or APA, depending on your subject area and guidelines. You should always include key details like the author's name, title of the work, publication date, and where it can be found.
Examples & Analogies
Think of citations like a treasure map. Just as a treasure map tells you where to find the treasure, citations lead readers back to the original sources of your information. By citing your sources, you help your readers discover the 'treasures' that backed up your ideas and arguments.
Definitions & Key Concepts
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Key Concepts
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Research Skills: Essential abilities for effective inquiry and information gathering.
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Formulating Questions: The process of creating focused questions to guide research.
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Gathering Information: Collecting data from reliable sources relevant to research queries.
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Evaluating Sources: Assessing the credibility and reliability of information.
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Citing Sources: The practice of acknowledging sources to maintain academic integrity.
Examples & Real-Life Applications
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Examples
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An effective research question might be, 'How has social media changed the way teenagers communicate?'
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During research, evaluating a source from a peer-reviewed journal provides evidence of credibility.
Memory Aids
Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.
π΅ Rhymes Time
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Always give credit, let authors shine, not citing their work would simply be unkind!
π Fascinating Stories
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Imagine a student named Alex who found amazing ideas in a book but forgot to list the author. At the presentation, when asked about their sources, Alex felt awkward. The lesson learned: always cite to share with pride!
π§ Other Memory Gems
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Remember the CITE for citations: Credit, Include, Title, Ensure! Just follow this in your research, that's for sure!
π― Super Acronyms
Think *ABC2* when evaluating
- Authority
- Bias
- Currency
- Coverage!
Flash Cards
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Glossary of Terms
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Term: Research Skills
Definition:
The abilities to formulate questions, gather information, evaluate sources, and cite them responsibly.
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Term: Formulating Questions
Definition:
The process of creating clear and focused questions to guide research.
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Term: Gathering Information
Definition:
The act of collecting data from various sources relevant to research questions.
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Term: Evaluating Sources
Definition:
Assessing the credibility and reliability of information before using it in research.
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Term: Citing Sources
Definition:
Providing proper acknowledgment of the sources used in academic work to maintain integrity.
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Term: Plagiarism
Definition:
The act of using someone else's work, ideas, or expressions without proper attribution.
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Term: Credible Sources
Definition:
Sources that are reliable, accurate, and authoritative.