Later in this lesson, you will create a research plan that will guide your work on an analytical research project. Before you settle on a plan, though, you may want to do some initial, preliminary searching. Most students start by typing search terms into an Internet search engine like Google or Yahoo. The search results delivered by one of these systems will probably give you plenty to read. There are better strategies, though, than going down the list of links and clicking on all of them.
One of the first sources you're likely to see listed is a Wikipedia article on the topic or a closely related topic. You can't rely on Wikipedia to learn everything you need to know about your research question, but the site can be helpful at the start of your research. Suppose you've decided to focus your research paper on the symbolism of the country's founding fathers. You type founding fathers into a search engine and see a link to this Wikipedia article.
Wikipedia articles tend to provide a general (though not always completely accurate) overview of topics you'll need to investigate. Use the questions below to practice using a Wikipedia page to inform your search for more information.
What information is found in the first section of the Wikipedia article?
- a complete list of the nation's founders
- details about individual founders
- an explanation of the phrase itself
The first section defines what literal meaning the term is typically used to represent.
The first section defines what literal meaning the term is typically used to represent.
The first section defines what literal meaning the term is typically used to represent.
What expert source is referenced in the article's third paragraph?
- one of the founding fathers
- a prominent historian
- the author of a popular biography
Richard B. Morris is a historian who clearly is considered an authority on the founding fathers.
Richard B. Morris is a historian who clearly is considered an authority on the founding fathers.
Richard B. Morris is a historian who clearly is considered an authority on the founding fathers.
Which section in the Contents list is most likely to provide information about the symbolism that developed around the idea of founding fathers?
- Background
- Collective biography of the Framers of the Constitution
- Legacy
The title of this section suggests that it will describe the ideas that became attached to the founding fathers as a group.
The title of this section suggests that it will describe the ideas that became attached to the founding fathers as a group.
The title of this section suggests that it will describe the ideas that became attached to the founding fathers as a group.
Read or reread the Legacy section of this article. What is this section’s overall point?
- that Americans tend to think about the founding fathers as a symbol of greatness rather than as individuals
- that the individual achievements of the founding fathers have remained more important than the ideas they represent
- that the representation of the founding fathers as "semi-sacred" figures began very recently in America's history
The author of the article paraphrases the words of a historian who argues that the founders' particular identities and personal histories have always been less interesting to Americans than the concept they represent as a group.
The author of the article paraphrases the words of a historian who argues that the founders' particular identities and personal histories have always been less interesting to Americans than the concept they represent as a group.
The author of the article paraphrases the words of a historian who argues that the founders' particular identities and personal histories have always been less interesting to Americans than the concept they represent as a group.
Which link in the first paragraph of this section would be the best source of additional information?
- Joseph J. Ellis
- Andrew Jackson
- Daniel Webster
This link is likely to reveal more about the work and writing of a historian--someone who has already spent some time thinking about the symbolism of the founding fathers.
This link is likely to reveal more about the work and writing of a historian--someone who has already spent some time thinking about the symbolism of the founding fathers.
This link is likely to reveal more about the work and writing of a historian--someone who has already spent some time thinking about the symbolism of the founding fathers.
How might a student use the References near the end of the article to complete a research project?
- as a list of reliable sources to track down and read
- as a list of sources for his or her own research report
- as texts to be ignored, since their ideas are already in the article
Almost all of the sources listed in this section are authors whose work was published by well-known universities. And since the article is so short, most of the ideas in the referenced texts are not included. Some of these sources will be online while others will be available only in print or through a library's closed system of digital holdings.
Almost all of the sources listed in this section are authors whose work was published by well-known universities. And since the article is so short, most of the ideas in the referenced texts are not included. Some of these sources will be online while others will be available only in print or through a library's closed system of digital holdings.
Almost all of the sources listed in this section are authors whose work was published by well-known universities. And since the article is so short, most of the ideas in the referenced texts are not included. Some of these sources will be online while others will be available only in print or through a library's closed system of digital holdings.
How might a researcher use the list of external links at the end of the article?
- to compare the perspectives of various well-known historians
- to find direct quotes that explain the symbolic meaning of the term "founding fathers"
- to locate examples of how the founding fathers are described
The list represents various types of text that the average American would read (or write).
The list represents various types of text that the average American would read (or write).
The list represents various types of text that the average American would read (or write).
Summary
Questions answered correctly:
Questions answered incorrectly:
