8.1 Conducting Research

• What is the first step in any research project?

  Identifying a research topic
• A good research topic should be focused, engaging, and feasible.


  True
• Good research questions are focused, answerable, and interesting
• What is the primary purpose of research questions?

  To guide the investigation
• Databases are collections of organized data that can be searched electronically.

  True
• What are primary sources in research?

  First-hand accounts or raw data
• Using a variety of source types helps build a well-rounded understanding of a research topic.


  True
• What is the next step after identifying your research topic and developing research questions?

  Explore databases and sources
• Match the database type with its advantage:

  Academic Databases ↔️ Comprehensive scholarly content

  Government Databases ↔️ Authoritative data on public issues

  News Databases ↔️ Up-to-date reporting

  Industry Databases ↔️ Specialized data for particular fields
• Government databases provide comprehensive scholarly content.

  False
• Primary sources include scholarly analyses and reviews.

  False
• What is a crucial step in the research process when evaluating source credibility?

  Assess credibility
• Objectivity in a source means the information is presented without obvious bias
• Evaluating source credibility is unnecessary if the author is well-known.

  False
• Strategies for organizing research materials

  1️⃣ Categorize and group sources

  2️⃣ Take detailed notes

  3️⃣ Use a research management system

  4️⃣ Create an outline
• Research management systems can include note-taking apps, spreadsheets, or citation managers.


  True
• What are some examples of social issues that could be research topics?

  Poverty, healthcare disparities
• A good research topic should be engaging to both the researcher and the audience
• Match the method to generate research topics with its advantage:

  Brainstorming ↔️ Encourages creativity

  Mind Mapping ↔️ Clarifies relationships

  Consulting Course Materials ↔️ Ensures alignment with course objectives
• Strategies to develop effective research questions

  1️⃣ Brainstorming

  2️⃣ Consulting course materials

  3️⃣ Refining initial ideas
• Academic databases offer comprehensive scholarly content
• What is an advantage of academic databases?

  Comprehensive scholarly content
• What is a disadvantage of news databases?

  Lack depth compared to scholarly sources
• Primary sources include first-hand accounts and raw data.


  True
• Tertiary sources synthesize information from primary and secondary sources
• Objectivity in a source means the information is presented without bias.

  True
• Why is relevance a key criterion for source evaluation?

  Addresses research questions
• Using a research management system keeps materials organized and easily accessible
• What is the primary goal of summarizing key points in note-taking?

  Concisely capture main ideas
• Match the note-taking method with its advantage:

  Handwritten notes ↔️ Engaging, visual organization

  Digital notes ↔️ Easily searchable, multimedia

  Outline format ↔️ Structures information hierarchically
• What is the purpose of evaluating the significance of research findings?

  Assess importance and implications
• Social issues, cultural phenomena, and scientific advancements are all types of research topics
• Match the research method with its advantage or disadvantage:

  Brainstorming ↔️ Encourages creativity

  Mind Mapping ↔️ Clarifies relationships

  Consulting Course Materials ↔️ Ensures alignment with objectives
• Identifying a research topic involves formulating a research question.

  True
• Brainstorming encourages creativity but can lack focus
• Match the database type with its advantage or disadvantage:

  Academic Databases ↔️ Comprehensive scholarly content

  Government Databases ↔️ Authoritative data on public issues

  News Databases ↔️ Up-to-date reporting on current events
• Tertiary sources, such as encyclopedias, synthesize information
• Databases are collections of organized data that can be searched and accessed electronically
• Academic databases may require institutional access
• News databases lack depth compared to scholarly sources