Conducting a Research Report - continued

Additional Resources:

Libraries:
Your local public library, or school library is a great place to start. They will have some or all of the following:
• useful books you can borrow for free
• databases of articles
• encyclopedias and other reference material on CD or online

Try looking up their collections online, or phone the librarian if you’d like to find out more about possible resources before going to the library yourself. Don’t forget your textbook! It may also be a good source of information.

Interviews:
Talking to other people can offer you ideas and perspectives that you may not have considered. Ask people what they think about your topic, and if they say something that you might use in your composition, note their words, the date, and place of the interview. Be sure you’ve spelled the person’s name correctly.

If you know people who have lived the experience of one of the issues, you might want to conduct an interview. Here's how:

• Ask them if they could speak to you about their experiences.
• Ask a few questions to direct the interview.
• Show the person your composition topic, and listen.
• Jot down notes or use a recorder to help keep a record of their comments.
• Finally, thank the person for sharing his or her storyOffer a copy of the composition when it is complete.

Online/Internet Searching:
If you have access to the Internet, it can be a useful tool for research. Check out Searching the Internet Effectively for tips on the source of information