Taking Notes (A Quick Guide)

How to Read and Use Research Articles

IMPORTANT! YOU DON'T HAVE TO USE the WHOLE ARTICLE

• skim and scan for information you need for your project
  • main points
  • details or examples to explain the main points
• ignore everything else
• decide if any portion of the article meets your needs -- if it doesn't move on

IDENTIFYING TOPICS and MAIN IDEAS

• pre-read - skim and scan to get a feel for the topic
  • topic terms will be repeated, e.g. "online classes," "social media," "mobile phones," etc. 
    • nouns or noun-phrases only identify a topic, they do not convey meaning 
  •  main ideas are discussed in sentences and paragraphs within in the articles
• for non-scholarly articles (Credo Reference, articles from magazines, newspapers, webpages)
  • look for the main ideas near the beginning of the article or the introduction
  • main ideas may also be restated in the conclusion of an article
• for peer-reviewed / scholarly articles 
  • the introduction sets out what the author plans to study
  • look for the main ideas near the end of the article in the author's conclusion

KEEPING TRACK OF YOUR SOURCES

To avoid becoming total overwhelmed by the research process find some method to gather and organize information BEFORE you begin writing or setting up your final project. Have your *stuff* together will make writing your paper or preparing your speech or PowerPoint much less stressful and go much faster.  Creating a digital worksheet can be helpful.

Organizing Your Information - Create a Digital Worksheet

WHY CREATE A DIGITAL WORKSHEET?

• Even if you take handwritten notes it's good to set up a digital document as well. Why? 
  • you can easily link back to the article if you need to 
  • your citation is ready to go
  • helps you organize your material AND you thoughts
  • write a rough draft using your main points and details/examples (helps you avoid plagiarism)

HOW TO CREATE A DIGITAL WORKSHEET

• Use Word or OneNote or whatever works for you
  • For each source list the: 
    • Name of the Database or Website
    • Title of the Article
    • Database Article Link (NOT the URL at the top of the browser) to easily access the article again. To find the Article Link:
      • In Credo Reference click "Share" above the title of the article
      • In EBSCO databases click "Permalink" in the right column of the article page
      • In Gale databases click "Get Link" onn the top right of the article page
    • Web Page URL 
    • Copy/paste the database citation (look for the Cite tools) 
    • For web pages - copy/paste the name of author and the date of the article, and publisher of the website (name of a company or organization) so you can build the citation later.
    • At least 3 Main Points of the article in your own words
    • Details and/or examples that explain the main point in your own words

EXAMPLE: DIGITAL WORKSHEET ENTRY

Source #1: Credo Reference Database (Library Database)

Article Title:

“Benefits”

Article Link: 

https://search.credoreference.com/articles/Qm9va0FydGljbGU6NDIzMjcyOQ==?q=Employee+benefits&aid=114475

Citation:

Benefits. (2013). In Gale (Ed.), Gale Encyclopedia of Everyday Law. Gale. Retrieved October 3, 2023, from    https://search.credoreference.com/articles/Qm9va0FydGljbGU6NDIzMjcyOQ==.

 MAIN IDEAS

• Main Idea #1:  Definition of employee benefits
  • Fill in details and/or examples
• Main Idea #2:  List the benefits that are required by law
  • Fill in details and/or examples
• Main Idea #3:  Give examples of benefits that are optional
  • Fill in details and/or examples