USING RESEARCH

Researched evidence can make your argument more convincing by

• Providing information, statistics, facts, and examples that support your claim and reasons
• Utilizing expert knowledge and opinions to lend credibility to your argument
• Demonstrating your awareness of diverse viewpoints on your topic

CREATING A SEARCH STRATEGY

The following search strategy will help you organize your time and maximize the use of available resources:

1. Choose your topic. For tips on finding and narrowing a topic, check Chapter 3 in your textbook.
2. Get an overview of your topic. Use encyclopedias to give you general background information about your topic.
3. Compile a working bibliography. Keep a record of all sources that you consult.
4. Locate sources. Depending on your topic, interviews, periodicals, books, and sources on the Internet can provide valuable information, expert opinions, scientific studies, and examples to use in your argument.
5. Evaluate your sources. Your sources should be relevant and reliable for your purposes.
   • For print sources, check the following:
     • Is the date of publication recent or timely for your purpose?
     • Are the author's sources recent and timely?
     • Is the author an expert in the field?
     • Does the author have a bias about the subject?
     
     
   • For electronic sources, check the following:
     • Does the domain address indicate that the site originates with an educational institution, the government, an organization, or a commercial interest?
     • Who is the author of the site?
     • If the site was created by an organization or a company, what interests does the organization or company represent?
     • How recent is the date of posting?
     • Does the site include references for its sources of information?
     • Does the site represent a balanced perspective and respect for the views of others?
     • What is your intended use of the information on the site?
     
     
6. Take notes. Use note cards to record information and ideas from your sources. Be sure to indicate whether your notes are summarizing, paraphrasing, or quoting the information you find.

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