How to Do Research

Summary

The video explores how to conduct research effectively, starting with an unexpected first step: Wikipedia. Although it's not a reliable source to cite, its references section is a goldmine for finding credible sources. The process involves collecting primary and secondary sources, noting their contexts, and understanding biases. The creator emphasizes the importance of thorough note-taking and organization to connect the dots and form a coherent thesis. The video encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and not shying away from information that challenges your assumptions.

Takeaways

• 📝 The first step in any research process is using Wikipedia, not as a source to cite, but as a starting point to find credible references and primary sources listed at the bottom of its pages.
• 📚 Broadly explore related topics on Wikipedia to gather a comprehensive list of sources. The more context you have, the better you can understand the subject.
• 🔍 After compiling a list of sources from Wikipedia, hunt down these sources through libraries or online databases, focusing on finding primary sources first.
• 📜 Primary sources offer the most direct insight into a topic, while secondary sources provide context and analysis of those primary sources. Prioritize primary sources but also include secondary ones for a complete picture.
• 🧐 Always examine the context of sources, considering who wrote them, when, and the potential biases they may have. This helps assess the credibility of the information.
• 🖊️ Take extensive notes on everything relevant you find in the sources, including details about the sources themselves, to ensure you have all necessary information in one place.
• 🔗 Use a creative approach to piece together the information by connecting dots between various facts, identifying patterns, and forming a coherent narrative or thesis.
• 🎯 When forming a thesis, use the gathered evidence to create a narrative that fits all the data points. This is a critical part of presenting research findings.
• 📑 Do not start with a thesis before gathering evidence; this reverses the natural research process and can limit the scope of your findings.
• 🧩 Research is a creative puzzle-solving process that requires you to weave together information, context, and analysis to uncover a deeper understanding of a topic.

Q & A

What is the speaker's main point at the beginning of the video?

The speaker emphasizes that research might not be as intuitive as it seems and promises to share their process for conducting research effectively.

Why does the speaker suggest starting with Wikipedia, despite its reputation?

The speaker suggests starting with Wikipedia because while it's not a reliable source to cite, it is excellent for finding actual sources through its references section.

How does the speaker recommend using Wikipedia for research?

The speaker recommends using Wikipedia to gather related sources from the references section and exploring multiple pages to get a broader understanding of the topic.

What are the key stages of research mentioned in the video?

The key stages include starting with Wikipedia for initial sources, finding books or other materials from libraries or online, and using primary and secondary sources for deeper understanding.

What is the difference between primary and secondary sources, according to the speaker?

Primary sources are direct, first-hand accounts or writings about the subject, while secondary sources are interpretations or analyses of primary sources.

Why are primary sources preferred over secondary sources?

Primary sources are preferred because they offer a more direct perspective on the subject, whereas secondary sources may introduce bias as they interpret primary accounts.

What role do secondary sources play in research?

Secondary sources are essential for providing context to primary sources, helping researchers understand potential biases and factors influencing the original writings.

Why does the speaker advise taking extensive notes during research?

The speaker advises taking extensive notes to organize all the gathered information in one place, making it easier to analyze and connect later without needing to revisit the original sources.

What is the speaker’s method for organizing and analyzing research data?

The speaker suggests categorizing all gathered information and connecting it creatively, using a ‘thumbtacks and strings’ metaphor, to form a coherent narrative or thesis.

What does the speaker criticize about the traditional essay writing approach in high school?

The speaker criticizes the traditional approach of forming a thesis statement first, arguing that it is more effective to gather evidence and develop a thesis afterward, based on the data.