research: NOUN: 1.

a detailed study of a subject,

especially in order to discover (new) information or
reach a (new) understanding.
Cambridge Dictionaries Online,
Cambridge University Press 2003.
-ectives
Select an appropriate topic for research
Generate questions from a topic
Broaden and narrow a question
dentify key concepts and vocabularies
related to a topic
Broaden and narrow concepts and
vocabularies related to a topic
The word "research" is used to describe a
number of similar and often overlapping
activities involving a search for
information.
Example; each of the following activities
involves such a search; but the differences
are significant and worth examining.
Basics
Find the population of each country in Africa or
the total (in dollars) of Japanese investment in the
U.S. in 2002.
A search for individuaI facts or data. May be part
of the search for the solution to a larger problem or
simply the answer to a bar bet. Concerned
with1acts rather than knowledge or analysis and
answers can normally be found in a single source.
Find out what is known generally about a fairly
specific topic."What is the history of the nternet?"
A report or review, not designed to create new
information or insight but to collate and synthesize
existing information. summary o1 the past.
Answers can typically be found in a selection of
books, articles, and Web sites.
[Note: gathering this information may often include
activities like #1 above.]
Gather evidence to determine whether gang
violence is directly related to playing violent video
games.
Gathering and analyzing a body of information or
data and extracting new meaning from it or
developing unique solutions to problems or cases.
This is "real" research and requires an open-ended
question for which there is no ready answer.
[Note: this will always include #2 above and
usually #1. t may also involve gathering new data
through experiments, surveys, or other
techniques.]
Before starting class research
Understand the assignment Don't risk selecting inappropriate
materials or addressing irrelevant issues. No matter how well you
write or speak, this will usually result in poor work. f necessary,
discuss the assignment with your instructor.
SeIect a topic that interests you Personal interest makes
research more enjoyable and any presentation of the findings more
enjoyable for its audience.
If possi-Ie, seIect a topic you are aIready researching for
another proect. This may not only save you some time but allow
you to explore different facets of the same topic and build a deeper
understanding.
4 SeIect a topic that is not IikeIy to -e chosen -y
others. magine a course instructor reading a dozen papers on the
same two or three topics. Finding an original topic or perspective is
likely to be looked upon favorably (but see #1 above.)