How to Do Research

Overly Sarcastic Productions
12 Mar 201907:18

Summary

TLDRThe 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.

Outlines

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Related Tags
Research TipsPrimary SourcesSecondary SourcesWikipedia UseNote-TakingMythology ResearchThesis BuildingCreative AnalysisSource ContextHistorical Study