Research is Not a Dirty Word

Please don't be scared off by the word research. Every one of us is capable of doing great research we find both enlightening and enjoyable. If in "Breaking the Writer's Block: Sparking Ideas", you found a topic you really are interested in, you will begin to discover that research can actually be exciting. You must be engaged with your subject and that means a subject you feel strongly about. This article will cover various avenues you have open in your attempt to learn more about your chosen subject.

Methods for Discovery

Often in research you will hear the terms: primary, secondary and tertiary. Primary is first hand knowledge. You saw it, did it, watched it or accomplished it. Secondary is a writing based on someone else's first hand, primary experience. Tertiary is even farther down the road. Tertiary is writing based on a secondary source. For instance, someone does an interview with a political candidate. If they write about their interview, their work is based on a primary source (their own interview). If I wrote a paper based on the material they publish, I would be using secondary data for my source since I did not personally do the interview. If you then published a paper based on my paper, you would be using tertiary information. Knowing this can really help you in defining good resources for your research.

The Internet

The internet is a wonderful web of open ideas where any individual is capable of sharing their knowledge. Many new writers simply pop into Google or Wikipedia, type in their search phrase and use that as their research base. Sadly, that option not only restricts the wealth of knowledge available to them but also runs into accuracy issues. The very thing that makes the internet such a wonderful tool can also provide its downfall in academic research. Pages on the internet change constantly and you can come across pages filled with inaccuracies as quickly as you can find pearls of wisdom. As with most things, but particularly with the internet, NEVER trust data you find there explicitly.

Tip! When researching, remember these guidelnes:

- Evaluate the source (Who actually sponsors the page?)

- Listen to the tone, (Are they writing with blatant bias?)

- Verify with other sources (Can you find this information from sources not related to this source?)

- Use your discretion. (Think! Don't be a lazy researcher!)

Personal Observation

This really is one of your most valuable research tools. Your own personal observations and experiences count as first-hand, primary sources. We're not speaking of opinions here, but of actual data. If you touch fire and it burns your hand, it is perfectly valid and academically acceptable to say, "I believe fire is hot because I touched it and it burned my hand." Your own observations made you a primary source. Consider every one of us as a little laboratory, and we are the scientists in our own lab. Remember to use that wonderful combination of resources: your senses and your intelligence. Use your own senses to provide initial data for your thoughts to evaluate. The more data, the better the evaluation. Observe! A perfect example of this type of primary research is the Ethnography. In my article, "The Ethnography: What it is and How to Write It", I give you instructions on taking your first hand observations and turning them into data you can use.

The second part of personal observations is the Interview. Just as your own personal observations can be valid clues in your research, so can the observations and experiences of others. By allowing others to speak of their personal experiences in your topic field, you will often find yourself opening to avenues and outlooks you were not aware of previously. These can add depth to your knowledge and therefore to your essay. For information on how to conduct an interview, see "Interviews: Tips and Tricks for a Successful Interview" Your interview would also be considered a primary, first hand source

The Library

Most modern libraries not only have their in-house stacks (the material that is held in the library), but also offer on-line databases containing books, journals and periodicals. These can be very useful and your librarian can help you learn to use these. Take your notes with you and talk to the librarian about what you are researching. You will find that most librarians love to read and are thrilled to help someone genuinely interested in learning to find a resource that fits their needs. The sources here would be considered secondary or tertiary.

Tip! If you find a book on your topic that interests you - check the bibliography. The bibliography is where the author lists which books, articles and people that author used for his own research. Follow the chain! By looking at the material the author got his information from you may just find the perfect source you need for your own research.

Tracking Your Research.

When you find a source, it is a good idea to keep good records for your future use. These would include:

-Complete Title of the article, book, journal or web page (if a magazine, you want both the title of the article and the title of the magazine)

-Complete name of the author, exactly as it is written on the source

-Date of publication (for web pages look for date last updated)

-Page number(s) (for web pages, the complete URL and the date you accessed the page)

-Publisher (for websites, is there a parent site?)

- With anything you select for quoting, use the exact text in your source, including punctuation and errors.

Tip! Don't forget to jot down your thoughts about you find. Two months from now, you may not remember why you ever thought that was a good source. It is nice to have a little note that jogs your memory. Doing this will save you a great deal of time later.

Writing Exercise

1. Take another look at "Breaking the Writer's Block: Sparking Ideas" and select a topic for your writing. With your own particular topic in mind, address the idea of research on your subject. Jot down at least three avenues you can take to further your knowledge of the subject. Be specific.

2.If you find a source for this research, pay attention to which type it is: first hand or primary, secondary or tertiary.

3.How reliable is your source? If not first-hand, do they have a particular bias you need to watch for? Do they cite their sources?

Other Articles in the Engaged Writing Series

Breaking the Writer's Block: Sparking Ideas

For or Against: Writing an Effective Argumentative Essay

Writing for Your Readers: Academic or Informal Papers

The Ethnography: What it is and How to Write It

Logical Fallacies: What Are They and How Do We Keep Them Out of Our Writing?

Interviews: Tips and Tricks for a Successful Interview