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English 102 Research Unit. QUEST Research Model Note Card Review Thesis Statements Introduction TEA Paragraphs. Follow the QUEST Model:. Step One: Question.
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English 102 Research Unit QUEST Research Model Note Card Review Thesis Statements Introduction TEA Paragraphs
Step One: Question • What is a research question?A research question is a clear, focused, concise, complex and arguable question around which you center your research. You should ask a question about an issue that you are genuinely curious about. • Why is a research question essential to the research process?Research questions help writers focus their research by providing a path through the research and writing process. The specificity of a well-developed research question helps writers avoid the “all-about” paper and work toward supporting a specific, arguable thesis.
Question • Is your research question focused? Research questions must be specific enough to be well covered in the space available. • Is your research question complex? Research questions should not be answerable with a simple “yes” or “no” or by easily-found facts. They should, instead, require both research and analysis on the part of the writer. • Hypothesize. After you’ve come up with a question, think about what the path you think the answer will take. Where do you think your research will take you? What kind of argument are you hoping to make/support? What will it mean if your research disputes your planned argument?
Sample Research Question • Unclear: Why are social networking sites harmful? • Clear: How are online users experiencing or addressing privacy issues on such social networking sites as MySpace and Facebook? • The unclear version of this question doesn’t specify which social networking sites or suggest what kind of harm the sites are causing. It also assumes that this “harm” is proven and/or accepted. The clearer version specifies sites (MySpace and Facebook), the type of harm (privacy issues), and who the issue is harming (users). A strong research question should never leave room for ambiguity or interpretation.
Sample Research Question • Unfocused:What is the effect on the environment from global warming? • Focused:How is glacial melting affecting penguins in Antarctica? • The unfocused research question is so broad that it couldn’t be adequately answered in a book-length piece, let alone a standard college-level paper. The focused version narrows down to a specific cause (glacial melting), a specific place (Antarctica), and a specific group that is affected (penguins). When in doubt, make a research question as narrow and focused as possible.
Step Two: Understand • What kind of information will you need? Do you want facts? Opinions? News reports? Research Studies? Analyses? Personal reflections? History? Primary sources? • Where are you likely to find this information? Which sources are most likely to be useful? Research databases? Academic journals? Newspapers? Government records? The Internet? • How much information do you need? How many sources of information are you looking for? Do you need to view both sides of the issue? • How do you find what you are looking for? How do you select specific keywords, terms, and phrases in research databases and search engines?
Step Two: Understand • Books: • Looking for lots of information on a topic • To find historical information • To find summaries of research to support an argument • Websites: • To find current information • To find information about companies • To find both expert and popular opinions • To find information about hobbies and personal interests • To find information from all levels of government • Databases • Opposing Viewpoints • Biography in Context • Global Issues in Context • EBSCO • CQ Researcher • Britannica • Research databases provide access to many different types of sourcesincluding: Magazines: • Articles written for non-experts • Analysis of current events • Personal narratives and opinions • interviews of well-known people • Reviews of products, movies and performances Academic Journals: • Original research • Critical analysis • Review of prior research (Literature review) • Often peer reviewed • Intended for experts Newspapers: • Current information about international, national and local events • Editorials, commentaries, expert or popular opinions • Breaking news • Investigative reports Reference: • Background information about a topic • Find key ideas, important dates or concepts • Statistics, charts, tables • Maps
Step Three: Evaluate - http://d155.libguides.com/content.php?pid=541153&sid=4451710 • CRAAP Test: • Currency- when was the info published, updated, revised? • Relevance – how much info is provided (superficial or detailed analysis?). Is the info related & relevant to your topic? • Authority – who are the authors & what are their credentials? Do the articles have the approval of other experts in the field? • Accuracy – does the source match your understanding of the topic? Can you verify the claims in other sources? Is there a bibliography? • Purpose – Is the purpose stated & subject approached from an objective standpoint? Is there any bias present?
Step Four: Synthesize • Decide which information is best. • Decide to use a quote, summary, or paraphrase. • Create your 40 note cards in Noodle Tools http://d155.libguides.com/content.php?pid=541153&sid=4451717
Note Card Review • One note card per fact • 40 note cards total (you may not end up use all of these facts in your essay, and that’s ok!) • Use a variety of direct quotations, summaries, and paraphrases • At the top of each note card, label the type of writing (DQ, S, P) and give the note card a topic (for, against, etc.) • Include info from the article, your DQ, S, or P, and a brief analysis on the note card
Step Five: Transform • Create Your Outline: http://d155.libguides.com/content.php?pid=541153&sid=4451723
Thesis Statements • What is a thesis statement? • Where does it appear in my paper? • How can I write a quality thesis? • How does a thesis set up my argument?
Thesis Statements are Focused • Get more specific so your reader knows what your argument is mostly about. LEAD into your thesis like this: • LEAD: Easily exploited laws and unfair situations for doctors make assisted suicide impossible to control; • THESIS: therefore, assisted suicide should not be legalized.
Thesis Statements are Insightful • Try to say something new about the topic: • With the exception of humanitarian assistance, U.S. foreign aid should be abolished due to all of the negative aspects which harm, not help, those who are affected by it. • Abortion not only harms a fetus but also has extremely serious short-term and long-term effects for the mother; as a result, women should choose adoption instead of abortion.
Thesis Statements have an Opinion • Have a clear stated argument: • Weak– What do you think about animal rights? • Weak– Some people think animals should have rights, and others think they shouldn’t. • Clear opinion: Animals are in many ways just like humans; they have emotions and families, and therefore it is unethical to abuse animals in ways that we know is not right for humans.
Complex Thesis Statements • Try to make your thesis a complex sentence to add depth and focus: • Although media is an important part in our society, media has a negative influence on our problem solving, self image, and morals. • Although some medical conditions and the overuse of commercialism in America may prevent people from losing weight, individuals should try and overcome their obesity by eating healthier and exercising more frequently.
More Examples • While adding school uniforms may seem like a benefit to students, stifling student creativity and expression of self will negatively impact teenagers. • Because of the serious dangers smoking causes for users and those around them, smoking should be outlawed in all public places.
Now you try! • Create a thesis statement for your topic. • Make sure it is a focused, insightful, opinion. • Try to write a complexsentencewhich includes a LEAD and your THESIS (opinion). • Do not use “I believe”, “I think”, “I feel”, etc.! • When you are finished, share with a partner and have them check for flow, accuracy, complexity & focus.
Introduction • Hook / Attention Getter/ Grabber • Lead • Thesis • Transition
