Step: Identify your topic.

Ask yourself:     What is the problem I need to solve?
                        Or, what is the question I want to ask?

How do you know what your problem is?
   Sometimes the teacher tells you.   But other times you have to figure it out or define it for yourself.   Here is how. Sometimes it helps to draw pictures (called graphic organizers) of what you know by using a table, web or concept map.  These tools can help you decide what your information problem is, or what question you want to investigate. This is called finding a focus. Click here to see examples of webs, concept maps, and other graphic organizers you may want to use. (Don't forget to use your Back button to return here!)
 

Suppose that your teacher has assigned a project.  She has told you to study an author and present your findings to the class.  You may choose your presentation format from these:  a paper or other written format, a speech or talk with visuals, a video, a PowerPoint presentation, a web entry for our class website, or any other format agreed upon by you and your teacher.  Whatever your format the steps of research are the same and the web will help.

    Librarians are experts on research and could save you a lot of time and wrong turns on the information superhighway! Once you begin your research, you will need to report back to your teacher how it's going. If you find so much information about your topic that it's impossible to figure out which direction to go, talk to your teacher about narrowing the focus of your search. If you can't find any information about your topic, talk to your teacher about expanding or changing your topic.

 

First:  Pick something you are interested in! You will be working on
this for a while, so make it something fun for you.

You'll be learning about an author because your teacher assigned the topic.  Now it is up to you to choose an author.  Think about one of your favorite authors!  How many books have you read by this author? Start your general research, but be willing to adapt if you find no information. Since we are in the world of wizards and dragons, Jane Yolen will be our choice.  Let's see what we might find out about this author.  Follow the steps.

Second: Look in the library for an easy (2nd-4th grade) book or encyclopedia
article on your subject. This can give you some good ideas for a specific topic.
 Remember, if it is too big it will be overwhelming, and if it is too small you won't be able to find enough information.

In our case, information about Jane Yolen is not likely to be found in an encyclopedia,  but check out the reference section of the school library.  Check in Reference:  For example. . .  Something About the Author,  Biography Today,  Infotrac,  Readers Guide

Third: When you decide on a topic, write it out in a statement or question.

WAIT For our work we need to know more about Jane Yolen first! We know that our general topic is Jane Yolen.  We will decide upon a focus for our topic after we do more research Skip steps three and four for now. If you were working on a science or social studies topic,  steps 3 & 4 would be imperative!

Fourth: Make a list of words that mean the same thing as your topic. Ask yourself questions like- What other words describe this topic? What else is it called? Click  here  to go to a thesaurus.