Do you understand the assignment?
If this is a class assignment, make sure you understand what your teacher is asking for. Your teacher may have provided you with a project description, worksheet for taking notes, or a rubric.
Click here for a list of questions from CRLS that will ensure you understand the assignment. NOTE: If you don't understand what information you need to research, then ask your teacher for clarification. NOTE: At the end of this video, the boy decided who he would interview and that he needed to do a oral and multimedia presentation. With a multimedia presentation he could videotape or record (audio) his interview, take photos of his grandfather, add music to his project, etc.
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Need help selecting a research topic?
If your teacher has not assigned you a specific research topic and you must choose one for yourself, then you may be interested in getting some help in picking one. Click here for tips from CRLS on selecting a research topic.
The CRLS Research Guide provides excellent tips on how to approach picking a research topic, starting with selecting a general topic and learning how to focus it into a topic you can use for your research project.
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What information do you need to find?
Make a list of all your research questions:
Remember to ask focused questions. And practice asking good questions. Click here for tips from CRLS on Brainstorming Research Questions. You can organize and refine your list of questions by:
Here is an example from "The Big Six" website:
Let’s say the assignment is to write a paper and make a product about a notable African American. You choose Scott Joplin from the list that was provided by your teacher. She may or may not have told you why this person is notable. You need to figure out what information you need to find out about Scott Joplin. Here are some questions you may ask about him if you don’t know why he is notable:
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Writing a Statement of Purpose
Once you have a research topic, you should start by writing down the Statement of Purpose or the "problem you want to solve". It will guide you as you do your research. Click here for tips from CRLS on Writing a Statement of Purpose.
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