How to Keep and Use a Research Log Created for TESC students by Liza Rognas Reference Librarian Historian Revised Fall 2004 by Sarah Pedersen Research in any topic especially advanced level research quickly becomes complicated by the sheer volume of information available and consulted Information comes to you through books archival material libraries web pages electronic databases interviews and various media Many of these resources are also located in several different places A research log will help you keep track of the what where when and even the how of your research process It will prevent you from repeating searches and will also help you keep track of the language and jargon unique to the disciplines you most often search Keeping a log engages your physical mental intuitive and intellectual processes It also offers you a ritual a way in which research is performed mentally and physically In this sense the log becomes more than your memory it becomes a part of the way in which you seek The Log Ideally you should make or buy a notebook that will be used exclusively as your research log Some also use a laptop computer and a word processor Always write your name and contact information on the log so that you ll get it back if you leave it somewhere The Entries No matter your individual style a good log will contain certain key elements including time date place a full bibliographic citation and notes Sample Log Entries 10 17 02 TESC Library Catalog Keyword Math education limit 1990 2002 10 25 am IN 50 entries post 1990 Drew David E Aptitude Revisited Rethinking Math Science Education for America s Next Century Baltimore Johns Hopkins University Press 1996 Good resource Find more by this guy Look up the studies in his bibliography Meyer Susan E Petersen Paul M Earning and Learning How Schools Matter Washington D C Brookings Institute Press 1999 Ch 6 Erik Hanushek Effects of the Math and Math related Courses in High School Chapter not worth it Subjects Mathematics Study and teaching United States SUMMIT Keyword Social Science Education Ordered from UW Miller Barbara Preparing citizens linking authentic assessment and instruction in civic law related education Boulder CO Social Science Education Consortium 1997 Check back in 3 days 1 15 pm OUT 10 20 02 TESC Library 3 15pm IN Ref Librarian Sarah Pedersen 867 6647 Thurs Nights Use ERIC and Art Humanities Index Library Catalog pg References Journals Social Science indexes bottom of web page ERIC Database OCLC can get to Soc Abstracts from drop box Advance search Use terms from descriptors area at bottom of citations Teaching Art and Middle School limit 1990 2002 41 hits Sprague Marsha M and Sandra Bryan Aesthetics and the Middle School Learner Clearing House Vol 75 no 1 pp 41 44 Sept Oct 2001 See email list sent from ERIC search 6 30pm OUT 10 25 02 Lincoln Middle School 3 30pm Interview with Via Meade 7th grade math teacher 13 years 360 866 1234 hm 360 923 1555 wk Tuesdays at noon good time to call Photocopies of lesson plans Get book Brandonmeir Teaching Math and Science with an Interdisciplinary Approach Scholastic 1992 Check out webpages on sheet Via made Write THANK YOU note Done 10 28 follow up in January after break Taped interview See questions and notes in folder Also contact Beth Biser in Seattle 206 743 2347 She helped create standards for WA State Also gives conference presentations Get copy of her last paper from April Math Educators conference in Cincinnati 6 15 Done Possible log format QUESTION YOUR ARE INVESTIGATING Data base e g ERIC Psych info gov docs etc Search terms remember to specify if searched in key author abstract descriptor etc APA Article citation also is it peer reviewed Type of source opinion case study literature review empirical research What seemed relevant important New questions 1 2 3 Written Observations Questions What have you learned about your question when you consider these studies together e g different ways to define motivation different ways in which research on motivation is applied in schools How are you noticing your question becoming more specific i Who are you interested in focusing on e g particular age group or demographic group ii What about topic interests you E g reward systems for motivating learning Classroom management Self efficacy iii For what purpose E g to identify effective teaching strategies To examine effects of motivation on learning To unpack and examine a debate among behaviorists and constructivists about the appropriate use of reinforcers What kinds of information are you planning on looking for next How is it relevant to your question Informing your Practice as a Teacher Library Research Masters Paper MIT 2007 By the end of the quarter you will 1 Have found an article that is relevant to your topic from each of the following databases and sources ERIC Psych Info Government documents Ethnic Watch Sociology Abstracts 2 Have found at least one of each of the following types of articles Empirical research Case study Literature review Opinion piece 3 For each article you will i cite the reference in APA ii briefly explain in your own words why it s interesting relevant iii identify whether or not it is a peer reviewed 4 You will prose 2 3 possible research questions as opposed to topics and provide a rationale for why they are important relevant to your work as a first year teacher
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