Research Skills

Duration: Offered as a 90 minute webinar or 2 days in class

Course Overview

In this age of information overload, it can be hard to know where to find good information that you can trust. If you’re doing research for an important project, report, or proposal, how do you find information that you can count on?
This course will teach you how to research any topic using a number of different tools. We will start with basic techniques, such as reading, memory recall, note-taking, and planning. We will also talk about creating different kinds of outlines for different stages of your project, and how to move from the outline to actual writing, editing, and polishing. Most importantly, we will talk about how to use all kinds of sources, including a library’s Dewey Decimal System, journals, and the Internet.

After you complete this course, you’ll be ready to find reliable information on any topic, and turn that information into a compelling, accurate piece of writing.

Learning Objectives

  • Identify the benefits of proper research and documentation
  • Read for maximum information retention and recall
  • Take effective notes
  • Plan a research strategy
  • Identify and use various types of research sources
  • Create preliminary and final outlines
  • Know how to use style guides and be able to identify the most common styles
  • Document and attribute your work to ensure you don’t plagiarize

Course Outline

1. Course Overview

2. Why Are Research Skills Important?

3. Basic Skills

  • Reading and Note-Taking Techniques
  • PARSE in Action
  • Improving Your Recall

4. Planning Your Research Strategy

  • Laying the Groundwork
  • Getting Focused
  • Writing a Draft Outline

5. Where to Look and What to Look For

6. Finding Information the Old-Fashioned Way

  • Useful Resources
  • Understanding the Dewey Decimal System

7. Researching with the Internet

  • Finding the Good Stuff
  • Mind Mapping

8. Getting Ready to Write

9. Putting Pen to Paper

  • Writing Basics
  • Documenting Your Sources
  • Putting it Into Practice

10. Personal Action Plan

11. Recommended Reading List

12. Post-Course Assessment