RESEARCH AND

WRITING
Getting Started
November 2, 2009
WHAT DO YOU KNOW?
BIG6 SKILL METHOD
 Task Definition
 Define the problem
 Identify Information Requirement
 Information Seeking Strategies
 Determine range of sources
 Find It
 Location & Access
 Locate sources
 Find information
 Information Use
 Engage (read, view, etc…)
 Extract Information

 Synthesis
 Organize
 Present (write, etc…)
 Evaluation
 Judge product (self and peer analysis)
 Judge process
INFORMATION SOURCES
 Where do you go?
LIBRARIES

 http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/library
/welcomemenu.htm
EVALUATING WEBSITES
 When checking a Web document, you must become familiar with the three
main components: the header; the body; and the footer.
 When evaluating a web site, check these basic points from within the site:
 Author or contact person – usually located in the footer
 Link to local home page – usually located either in header or footer
 Institution – usually located in either header or footer
 Domain – the last segment of the "root" of the URL (e.g.,
http://www.lib.purdue.edu). Web sites are generated within one of
several domains, the most prominent being:
 edu -- at or by an educational institution
 com -- by a commercial entity
 org -- by an organization
 gov -- by a government agency
 Date of creation or revision – usually located in footer
 Intended audience – determined by examining the body
 Purpose of the information – determined by examining the body
WEBSITES
 http://www.theonion.com/content/index
 http://www.theonion.com/content/video/b
aseball_superstar_accused_of

 http://www.mcwhortle.com/index.htm