Iowa Investigative Report

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Research Process

Research Topics

Research Rubric

Iowa trivia Quizzes

 

 

 

 

Research Process

Beginning Strategy
- review the topics to the left
-pick one that interests you

Start your research
-begin with the questions below

Check for Resources
-see below for suggestions

Investigate, investigate, investigate
-Dig up the information
-Uncover the secrets
-Make your case

Presentation
- The Investigative Report

 

Strategy

Review each of the topics and find one that seems to raise your interest.
  • Maybe you will want to check out some of the links -or-
  • Go to the print materials and look at them.
  • You might find a subject not suggested in the above list - then check with your instructor about that topic. Maybe you would like to investigate famous Iowans. Possibly Iowa inventions are of interest to you. Check with your instructor.
  • When you have a topic to investigate move on to the research stage

Getting started

Ask Questions about the topic -

  • What do you know or think you know about the topic
  • What interests you about the topic that you want to learn
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Checking  Resources

Check for available resources -

  • What sources might you find at school, at the public library
  • How about at the U of I library or Historical societies
  • Who might be a resource
  • What internet resources would be helpful
  • Pull together a list

    Investigate

Research all the sites you've found -

  • Create a thesis statement for your project, as you do in English.
  • Begin taking the notes and assembling your data
  • Do a who, what, when, where, why & how analysis of your topic
  • Remember you need to find a way to present this
  • Keep the idea of a presentation format in the back of your mind as you research
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Presentation

 
There are a number of means of presenting your findings,
  • illustrated timeline
  • illustrated map
  • slideshow of some variety - Claris, PowerPoint, HyperCard, etc.
  • video: in documentary style ala TV's "Dateline" or "60 Minutes"
  • written research paper
  • oral history report
  • diorama
  • your choice to be agreed upon by your instructor
  • see the appropriate rubric for evaluation guidelines