Pre-Search
Pre-Search. During pre-search you will choose a topic to learn about (or one may be provided by your teacher) and identify a specific focus. You may brainstorm, talk about your topic with other people, and conduct preliminary research. By the end of this stage you will have developed a research question worthy of exploring within the guidelines of your assignment.
Possible tech tools for brainstorming: Padlet, Popplet, Google Drawing, Lucid Chart add-on for Google Docs, K-W-H-L chart (make a copy to use).
Possible tech tools for brainstorming: Padlet, Popplet, Google Drawing, Lucid Chart add-on for Google Docs, K-W-H-L chart (make a copy to use).
Preview. You could also say the P in pre-search stands for "preview" and "purpose." Spending time exploring your topic idea and focusing your subject will make you more successful and efficient during the research process. Read or skim sources to gain a better grasp of your subject so that you can ask a meaningful and manageable question. What you read may not be included in your end product, which is why notes aren't important at this stage. In some ways, pre-search is the most important step, since you cannot succeed without an appropriate and achievable purpose.
Patience. Many researchers begin pre-search feeling anxious or uncertain. This stage demands patience and concentration and may seem frustrating, but as you select and refine your topic, you are likely to feel more optimistic and excited. Stay open-minded - it may turn out that your original idea changes multiple times before you land on your final topic.
Patience. Many researchers begin pre-search feeling anxious or uncertain. This stage demands patience and concentration and may seem frustrating, but as you select and refine your topic, you are likely to feel more optimistic and excited. Stay open-minded - it may turn out that your original idea changes multiple times before you land on your final topic.
In this section...
- How do I choose a topic that will allow me to be successful?
- How do I write a statement of intent?
- How do I write a focused research question?
Choose a TopicSometimes a specific topic is assigned. More often, a general subject is assigned and you need to limit it to a more manageable scope, or your teacher may allow you to choose an approved topic. From this, you will need to develop a focused research question.
An ideal topic should be:
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Conduct Background Research (YIn order to focus your topic and write a good research question, you will need to find and read sources that give you a broad understanding of your subject area. These resources may help:
Don’t take full-on notes yet, just explore. If you need to keep track of your ideas, a K-W-H-L chart or online brainstorming web can help. Your teacher may check in to make sure you have gained a solid overview of the subject and have chosen a focus that will be manageable. This check may include sharing what you have learned, a student/teacher conference, or a written statement of purpose or summary of what you have learned so far. |
Focus an InterestCharacteristics of Good Research Questions:
Writing a Statement of Intent After you have read and absorbed an overview of your topic, you may be asked to develop a statement of intent where you explain in greater detail what you intend to learn during your research. To develop a statement of intent, ask yourself:
Start your statement of interest and view an example: |
Develop The Guiding QuestionWriting a Research Question
Your teacher may also ask you to develop a specific research question to answer about your topic. This will help you when you begin researching by helping you focus on just the information relevant to your assignment. It can be difficult to write a good research question that will guide your research process until you know something about your topic. This is why you should do preliminary reading on your subject before you begin to take notes. Consider the following types of questions for inspiration:
Source: Question types adapted from the CRLS Research Guide. |