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AND (in capitals) groups two search terms together and eliminates results that don't include both.
Example: weather AND storms:
OR expands a search to include both terms.
Results include one term or the other.
Example: weather OR storms
NOT removes terms from a search.
Narrows your search.
Example: weather NOT storms
Red area shows results, any mention of storms (even if weather is present) are removed.
(Parentheses) require terms inside to be searched first.
Similar to BEDMAS (brackets is first letter)
Example: (Canada OR Ontario) AND weather
Purple area shows results, so results are compound search of:
"Quotation marks" search for a series of words two or more words in EXACT ORDER.
Example: "Canadian Shield"
Canadian Shield without quotation marks could find results:
You could end up with results about Canadian money or medieval armour.
Search for song title by entering a few words in quotations.
Quotation eliminate finding root word in larger words
Truncation* broadens a search to find multiple endings and/or spellings.
Add an asterisk * to end of root word.
Wildcards substitute ? for a letter in word.
The wildcard can subsitute 0 or 1 character.
Helpful when spelling might be different.
STAGE 1: PREPARING FOR RESEARCH:
|OVERVIEW OF STAGE ONE: PREPARE FOR RESEARCH||USEFUL TOOLS|
1) DEFINE what you're being asked to do.
2) EXPLORE the necessary resources that relate to your research.
3) IDENTIFY the essential information needed.
4) RELATE your research to your previous learning.
For further information, see On Your Own (pp. 5-10)
|OVERVIEW OF STAGE TWO: ACCESS RESOURCES||USEFUL TOOLS|
1) LOCATE your resources
2) SELECT the most valuable resources
3) GATHER the resources
4) COLLABORATE to ensure that you have accessed the appropriate resources.
For further information, see On Your Own (pp. 11-22)
It's hard to believe, but Google is not the only search engine out there. What's more, it's not always the best research tool. For more info regarding how Google limits your search results, watch the video below.
Check current events, research news from the past, compare cultural viewpoints, and follow the latest in arts, sports, and the environment.
London Free Press
St. Thomas Times Journal
Woodstock Sentinel Review
CBC News Archives
The Globe and Mail
Many traditional print magazines offer online versions. Browse these to help with research.
For an A-Z list of all government agencies, click here
|OVERVIEW OF STAGE THREE: PROCESS INFORMATION||USEFUL TOOLS|
1) ANALYZE and evaluate research methods and resources
2) TEST your working thesis as it relates to the information you've collected
3) SORT your information into categories
4) SYNTHESIZE what you have learned
For further explanation, see On Your Own (pp. 34-52)
|OVERVIEW OF STAGE FOUR: TRANSFER LEARNING||USEFUL TOOLS|
1) REVISE rough drafts
2) PRESENT information in a polished format
3) REFLECT on the research process
4) TRANSFER learning to other areas
For more explanation, see On Your Own (pp. 53-126)