doing outline, thesis and working & Bibliography for a research paper.

Assignment for LIB 250: Starting the Research Process

(Please do not write in the shaded boxes, they will be used for grading your assignment.)

Name:

Student ID:

Question 1: Selecting and Developing a Topic

My academic discipline is:

My subject is:

This cluster diagram represents my subject and subtopics.

<Add cluster diagram here>

My Research Topic is:

Question 1	/2
Subject placed in the centre of the cluster. Subject is linked to relevant sub-topics.	/1
Research Topic is clearly stated and appropriate.	/1

Question 2: Background Reading Sources

I have selected this research guide as background reading for my topic:

Explain why this research guide is relevant to your research topic:

This is the URL for the research guide:

I have selected this subject encyclopaedia as background reading for my topic:

This article contains information of interest. The title of the article is:

Question 2 – Background Reading Sources	/3
Title of guide and explanation for its use was stated.	/1
The guide’s URL was given.	/1
An appropriate article was selected.	/1

Question 3: Determining your Keywords

I have selected these keywords to describe my research topic.

A. Keywords B. Synonym(s) (if appropriate)

1. ______________________________ 1 __________________________________

2. ______________________________ 2 __________________________________

3. ______________________________ 3 __________________________________

Question 3: Keywords and Synonyms	/2
Keywords are provided for at least two concepts. Keywords are relevant to topic.	/2

Question 4: Keyword Searching in CLUES

Write out your final keyword search strategy that produced the most promising results.

Number of search results found.

Date the search was done.

Relevant LC Subject heading(s) found.

Choose TWO of the most interesting records and record bibliographic information for these choices in your working bibliography. For each resource you have selected, write an annotation describing the key concepts that relate to your preliminary thesis. (The answers to this question will be entered in Question 8.)

Question 4: Keyword Searching in CLUES	/2
Correct keywords (including synonyms), logic, and use of commands (i.e. truncation, phrase searching)	/1
Appropriate Subject heading(s) marked down	/1

Question 5: Subject Headings Search in CLUES

Write out your final subject headings search that produced the most promising results.

Number of search results found.

Date the search was done.

Choose TWO of the most interesting records and record bibliographic information for these choices in your working bibliography. For each resource you have selected, write an annotation describing the key concepts that relate to your preliminary thesis. (The answers to this question will be entered in Question 8.)

Question 5: Subject Headings Search in CLUES	/1
LC Subject Headings, logic, and use of commands.	/1

Question 6: Searching a Subject database

Select a subject database and explain why it is relevant for your research topic.

Number of search results found.

Date the search was done.

Choose TWO of the most interesting records and record bibliographic information for these choices in your working bibliography. For each resource you have selected, write an annotation describing the key concepts that relate to your preliminary thesis. (The answers to this question will be entered in Question 8.)

Question 6: Searching a Subject database	/2
Name of database stated and reason stated.	/1
Correct use of keywords (including synonyms), logic, and commands (i.e. truncation, phrase searching)	/1

Question 7: Searching Google Scholar

Write out your final keyword search strategy that produced the most promising results.

Number of search results found.

Date the search was done.

Choose TWO of the most interesting records and record bibliographic information for these choices in your working bibliography. For each resource you have selected, write an annotation describing the key concepts that relate to your preliminary thesis. (The answers to this question will be entered in Question 8.)

Question 7: Searching Google Scholar	/1
Correct use of keywords & number of items retrieved stated	/1

Question 8: Working Bibliography

RefWorks must be used to compose your working bibliography in APA 6th citation style. The working bibliography should contain EIGHT entries.

<Add working bibliography here>

Under each reference in the bibliography, add the source of the citation and your annotation.

Question 8: Working Bibliography – EIGHT records from Questions 4 to7	/12
Complete and correct bibliographic information entered for EIGHT entries	/4
Annotations: Extracts of text, key concepts or ideas listed show that the student has read and understood the article and are linked to topic i.e., at least 2 main points are stated – if extracts are included, quotations are used.	/8

Question 9: Preliminary Thesis and Outline

State your preliminary thesis.

Write a preliminary outline for your research paper. The outline must have three sections: an introduction, a body and a conclusion. Each of these sections should include two ideas to be discussed. The outline should contain full sentences.

Question 9: Preliminary Thesis and Outline	/4
Thesis is relevant to research question and is grammatically correct. Thesis has potential for research.	/1
Sections completed and minor ideas included	/3

Presentation and Completeness	/1
All steps and questions were completed and all requested information was included. Assignment was well organized and easy to follow	/1
General Comments
				/30

<Insert cluster diagram>