Marlborough High School

Six Steps to Successful Research Papers

Name:	Leisha Simon (simon@marlborough.k12.ma.us)
Grade:	9-12
Discipline:	Technology/History/Science – Student Driven

Purpose: This unit will simplify the method for writing reports by providing a clear, concise process that should be followed in any discipline and to help ease the burden and pain students feel when faced with this task. Instead of fearing the assignment, students will tackle future research projects with more excitement and vision by following these six simple steps. Students will also learn and use word processing, presentation and web-based skills. Students will develop research skills that will be useful beyond school to successfully find information needed about any topic in their personal or professional life.

Description: Students will brainstorm to formulate an open-ended research question that they will research and answer by writing a paper related to technology in any discipline. After working with a partner to select a topic and presenting topic idea to the class, students will use the Internet to find books at the local library, abstracts and magazine articles, and web articles related to their topic. They will learn to validate the information found on the web before beginning the writing process. Students will then use 3x5 cards to gather information, flowcharts and outlines to organize their information, and the web to select a format (MLA, APA, or other) for writing their report. The unit will end with a written report that will be peer edited and an oral presentation on what they have learned about their topic.

Activities: Activities will cover the following Massachusetts Technology Standards for Grades 9-12:

1.4	Run multiple applications simultaneously, alternating among them.
1.18	Describe the functions of search engines and how to select and use them optimally.
1.19	Explain effective search strategies to locate and retrieve electronic information.
1.21	Share files as attachments in an e-mail message.
1.22	Create a multimedia presentation, desktop published report, or Web page that incorporates data from other files.
1.23	Create and manipulate illustrations using a drawing or painting program.
1.24	Identify capabilities of technology resources and understand how they can be used for lifelong learning.
2.3	Explain laws relating to copyright and Internet use.
2.4	Explain how to evaluate electronic sources of information.
2.5	Cite sources correctly.

See the table on Page 2 for a detailed outline of activities and other related Massachusetts standards.

Six Steps to Successful Research Papers

Activity	Standard (Use text not codes)
1. How do I select a topic for a research project? Summary – Students will learn to select a topic related to technology that really interests them. Step one to successful research papers is taking the task/discipline assigned (Technology) and coming up with a topic that will personally motivate research and writing. Students will be instructed to select an “Essential Question” related to the impact of technology in our lives today that they can answer through their research.	ELA 2402 – Pose questions, listen to ideas of others and contribute their own information or ideas in group discussions and interviews in order to acquire new knowledge. Science & Technology 5278 – Describe ways that technological devices have improved the quality of life for individuals. Science & Technology 5281 – Provide evidence that technology is growing at a faster rate today than ever before in history.
	2 Class Periods or 1 block period
	Whole class, small group, student presentation
2. How do I use the web to gather materials? Summary – Students will use the web to find books at the local library and web-related articles. They will also learn how to gain access to database abstracts through the High School library’s online resources.	ELA 2424 – Use open-ended research questions, different sources of information, and appropriate research methods to gather information of their research projects. ELA 2426 – Obtain information by using a variety of media and evaluate the quality of the information obtained.
	4 class periods or 2 block periods
	Teacher Lecture, Independent Research
3. How do I validate information on the web? Summary – Students will learn to analyze web addresses and authors of the information they find on the web and validate the content for authenticity.	Technology 2.4 – Evaluate electronic sources of information
	2 class periods or 1 block.
	Teacher Lecture, Independent student evaluation of sources
4. How do I take notes, design a web and write an outline? Summary – Students will read and write notes on 3x5 cards. They will then use Word to flowchart their report and write an outline. Students will E-mail flowcharts and outlines to the instructor.	ELA 2423 – Use self-generated questions, note taking, summarizing, precise writing, and outlining to enhance learning when reading and writing. Technology 1.23 – Create and manipulate illustrations using a drawing or painting program.
	4 class periods or 2 block periods
	Teacher Lecture, Independent
5. How do I format and write my paper? Summary – Students will use their Outline to write their report. They will use online resources to select and format their paper using MLA or APA report styles.	ELA 2419 – Write composition with a clear focus, developing the composition with logically related ideas to develop it, and adequate supporting details.
	2 class periods
	Independent
6. How do I proof and edit a research paper? Summary – Students will learn proofreaders marks and use them to read and edit another student’s paper.	ELA 2422 – Use their knowledge of standard English conventions of sentence structure, usage, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling to edit their writing.
	3 class periods. (One to practice proofreaders marks and read and edit paper and one to make corrections to their paper.)
	Partner
Final Review Summary – Students will design a PowerPoint presentation to present what they have learned to the class.	ELA 2603 – Make oral presentations that demonstrate appropriate consideration of audience, purpose, and the information to be conveyed.
	2 class periods
	Student Presentation

Tools and Resources:

ü Student Computers and Networked Printer

ü Microsoft Word

ü Microsoft PowerPoint

ü Internet Explorer with Internet Access

ü Public Library and Library Card

ü School Library

ü E-mail Accounts – Yahoo or Hotmail

ü Display Projector

Assessment:

1. Project Preparation a. Selecting a Topic b. Gathering and Validating Material c. Taking notes and developing a detailed outline	a. Oral presentation of selected topic	New Rubric
	b. Development of Works Cited with ample evidence of validation	Template Provided New Rubric
	c. Flowchart and Outline E-mailed to Instructor	Two New Rubrics
2. Written Report a. Edited Report b. Written Report	a. Edited report (other student’s) showing proofreaders marks	New Rubric
	b. Written Report	Writing Rubric
3. Oral Presentation Summary of Learning	a. Oral Presentation	Presentation Rubric