Research is:
- Driven by a question that guides the process.
- Seeking information with a clear goal.
- A process, which works best when done step- by-step. The steps may need to be repeated.
- Collection and interpretation of data in an attempt to resolve the problem.
- Going beyond facts and old ideas.
- Taking a new look at the information and taking a stand.
Research is not:
- Copying and pasting information you find through a Google search.
- Combining a paragraph from one article with a couple of paragraphs from websites. That's plagiarism.
- Rearranging facts
- Rewording each phrase and citing each source. That's just a summary of facts with someone else's name on them and still can be classified as plagiarism.
Words for the wise student:
- Remember, begin with a "wide net" and then narrow your search results.
- If you only look for specific information to answer a specific question, you may miss many opportunities to broaden your understanding .
- Allow for surprises- you may find your views on your topic will change and take you in an entirely new direction.
- Remember that research is searching again and again.
- In the process of doing research, you will be looking at information that others have looked at before, trying to see something that they have not seen.
