Introduction Researching to Deepen Understanding Ms Ritchie 102819

Introduction: Researching to Deepen Understanding Ms. Ritchie 10/28/19 2. 25

Purposes of this unit • To develop the skills and habits used in conducting independent research to deepen understanding. • To use those skills and habits in developing and communicating an evidence-based perspective on a topic by the end of the research process.

What is research? • Research is something literate people do to deepen their understanding of topics and develop a perspective that evolves as new evidence is found, analyzed, and incorporated.

Discussion Questions • How is our definition of research different from having an opinion and finding evidence to support it? • What is the process of a successful researcher? • What tools do you use to find information? • What tools do you use to analyze information? • What tools do you use to organize information? • Why do we need to have a researched understanding and perspective?

Purposes for a researched understanding • Writing an article, essay, or academic paper on a topic or text • Developing a position on a controversial issue • Developing business plans • Designing and building objects • Informing personal and community decision-making • Developing processes and plans • Writing fictional or historical narratives • Giving presentations

Research Process • One of the main parts of this unit is teaching a process for doing research. – You will follow the process in order, but you’ll also return to a lot of the steps and repeat them as your research develops. • The Student Research Plan gives you an overview of the whole process. – You can use it as a guide or a checklist. – You can use it in your other classes, too.

Research Portfolio • You need a system for organizing, annotating, and analyzing your research. • You also need a system for recording and storing information. • As you work through the research process, you’ll build up your research portfolio to keep track. • You’ll add to this portfolio throughout the process, not just at the end. • Inquiry Questions are the biggest part of the process and the portfolio helps you to track the questions and answers.

How Portfolio Sections are Organized • Section 1: Defining an Area of Investigation • Section 2: Gathering and Analyzing Information • Section 3: Drawing Conclusions • Section 4: Discarded Material