The Kentucky Virtual Library presents: How to do research!

• Step 1: Plan your project
  • Plan your project tutorial
  • Define your subject
  • Brainstorm
  • What do you already know?
  • Group similar ideas
  • Identify key words and phrases
  • Make a quest strategy
  • Gather your tools
• Step 2: Search for information
  • Search for information tutorial
  • The Kentucky Virtual Library
  • The library catalog
  • Encyclopedia
  • Reference books: table of contents and index
  • Magazines and newspaper articles
  • Dictionary
  • Search the World Wide Web
  • What if you can't find anything?
• Step 3: Take Notes
  • Take notes tutorial
  • The KWL method
  • Fact finder method
  • Data sheets
  • Clustering method (also called mapping or webbing)
  • Venn diagram method
  • Note cards
  • Prints and photocopies
  • Bibliography page
• Step 4: Use the information
  • Use the information tutorial
  • Scan the page first
  • The five finger test
  • Is the information true or bogus?
  • Put it in your own words
  • Organize the information
  • Compare and contrast
  • Put the information in order
  • Add your own conclusions
• Step 5: Report
  • Share what you've learned tutorial
• Step 6: Evaluate
  • Ask yourself, "How did I do?"
• Glossary
• Back to the introduction page

Portal | Home Base (Site Map) | Plan | Search | The Web | Take Notes | Use | Report | Glossary

Teacher's Toolbox | Flash Version | Text Only Version

Kentucky Virtual Library