How the heck do I read these articles??
Before you start reading...GET IN THE RIGHT MINDSET
- Spend a few minutes thinking about your topic.
- In your mind or (better yet) on paper, brainstorm some of your initial thoughts about your topic.
- Try to generate a list of questions about your topic that you hope your sources will answer/clarify.
- Keep these thoughts and questions in your mind as you read---look for those answers!
- It REALLY helps to have a PURPOSE in mind when reading academic documents.
SOME COMMON GENERAL RESEARCH QUESTIONS:
- What is the official/legal/medical definition of ____________. (Fill in the blank with your topic)
- How long has this been a problem? What is the history of the problem? Is the problem new or have recent events made the problem worse?
- Is there evidence that this problem is increasing or getting worse?
- How common is the problem?
- Who is most affected by the problem?
- What are the causes of the problem?
For this project, pay special attention to the negative effects/impacts of the problem…
- Financially?
- Legally?
- Physical/medical?
- Emotional/mental health?
- Socially?
- Educationally?
As much as possible, try to be positive/solution-focused…discover what can be done about the problem…
- What has been done in the past?
- What hasn’t worked?
- Innovative solutions?
- Evidence-based solutions?
- What COULD be done?