· Extract & Interpret Information and Document Sources

There are several ways to extract information. Remember that you should be answering question that answer one of your research questions. If you number your research questions, you can put the question number beside the information you find to help organize your materials later.

Ø Take notes / Cut and paste into a Word processor

Ø Mark the information with a Post-it note and the question number.

Ø Download and save text or graphics

Ø Create spreadsheet or database

Ø Research Assistant software

Plagiarism is taking material that belongs to someone else without giving credit. Even if you change a few words around, you still must give credit to the author for the idea. You do not have to cite the material if it is considered to be general knowledge. A general rule of thumb: If you can find it in two sources (and it is not statistics), it is general knowledge.

You can extract information by using one of these three methods:

1. Keyword

2. Paraphrase

3. Summarize

4. Quotations

5. Plagiarize

Consider these issues for each idea:

Evaluation of Ideas

· Fact versus opinion – Is the author giving facts or just opinions?

· Reliability – Is the author trustworthy and accurate?

· Timeliness – How old is the information?

· Bias – Does the author have a prejudice?

· Authority – Is the author knowledgeable about the topic?

· Stereotyping – Does the author present people unfairly?

· Differing facts – Compare information from different sources? Do they all agree?

Be sure to write down information you will need to create your bibliography / Works Cited page.

Technology options are listed in purple.