The Research Process:

Follow the steps outlined to successfully complete a research project!

1. EXPLORE a variety of sources to find an area that interest you. Use the following sources along with any sources the teacher or librarian may suggest.

Books encyclopedias thesaurus

Magazines computer newspapers

Pamphlets interviews dictionaries

2. NARROW THE SEARCH by using a web.

Web A

1. Write you main area of interest in the center of the web.

2. On the extensions of the web, write subtopics or things you would like to read and learn about this topic.

Diavik Diamond Mine

• In the center of the web write “Natural Resources: Diamonds.”

• Starting at the top sun beam, write “Size and/or location of the mine.

• Working clockwise label the beams as follows:

• Mining method in general

• Effect on the environment.

• Renewable/Nonrenewable/Both

• Can it be recycled?

• Examples, if any, of recycling. Suggest alternative man made materials that can be used in place of the natural resource.

• Any current events concerning this resource

Web B

• Choose one of the subtopics from Web A that catches your interest and write it in the center of Web B.

• On the beams of this web write specific question that you would like to research.

For example:

• In the center of the web write “Size and location of the mine.”

• Starting at the top beam working clockwise around the web write the following questions:

  • In what country is the mine located?

  • What town or city is near the mine?

  • How big is the mine?

  • How many diamonds are removed in a year?

• Three or four questions are enough.

3. WRITE THE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS from Web B that you will research for your report on the top of 4” X 6” index cards. List one question per card.

Sample:

In what country is the mine located?

4. LOG YOUR FINDINGS on the index cards.

• As you find answers to your questions in resources materials, write the information on the appropriate index card and note the source.

• Use quotation marks for any exact words copied from the sources.

Sample

In what country is the mine located?

North of the town at Yellowknife in the North Slave Region of Northwest Territories, Canada, the Diavik Diamond Mine is on an island in Lac de Gras Lake locally called East Island. It is about 137 miles south of the Arctic Circle.

If two sources give opposing information, list both on the note card. Explore other sources to find the argument most frequently given.

5. ORGANIZE the note cards by grouping, comparing, and categorizing the facts. Decide which information is useful for your report and which should be left out.

6. WRITE A FIRST DRAFT

• Write a strong beginning paragraph to grab the reader’s interest. One possibility is to begin with a probing question: “Where do diamonds come from?”

• Write the facts in clear, interesting paragraphs, tying similar concepts together.

• If you use information from an interview, make sure to give the person’s name and the date, if important.

• Close your report with a paragraph that includes a strong point, fascinating quote, or thought-provoking question that entices the reader to pursue the topic further.

7. IMPROVE YOUR REPORT by asking a peer to listen to your first draft. Ask the following questions to help you edit for fluency. Does my lead grab you?

• Is my main idea clear?

• Do I show instead of tell?

• Are my sentences in the right order?

• Do I have enough information?

• Do I have a strong ending?

• Revise, by using your peer’s suggestions.

• Write a final draft and check spelling, punctuation, and grammar carefully.

8. CREDIT THE EXPERTS with a bibliography page that gives an alphabetical listing of the sources used in your paper. Follow these models.

Books:	Ward, Fred. Diamonds. Bethesda, Maryland: Gem Book Publishers. 2002.
Encyclopedias:	The Book of Knowledge. 1996. Vol. 19. Pages 7226-7227. “The Diamonds That the Glaciers Brought Down From the North.”
Magazines:	Moore, Thomas P "Barren Lands: An Epic Search for Diamonds in the North American Arctic". Mineralogical Record. Jul/Aug 2002.
Computers:	Lundberg, Murray. Diamonds in the Canadian Artic. Explore North Newsletter. Retrieved November 14, 2007 from http://www.explorenorth.com/library/weekly/aa101599.htm.

9. PUBLISH your report.

• Correct any errors found by your teacher.

• Type or write your report in an attractive format.

10. EXTEND YOUR REPORT by. . .

• Adding illustrations or photos.

• Making it into a play.

• Adding a poem or song.

• Giving a demonstration to accompany it.

Source: Elementary: The Research Process. Instructional Fair. TS Denison. USA

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