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The Middle School Research Process

Explore Icon

Step 1: EXPLORE 

  • Explore interesting topics
  • Keep your mind open
  • Build background knowledge

Identify icon

Step 2: IDENTIFY

  • Pause and ponder
  • Decide research topic
  • Identify inquiry questions

Gather icon

Step 3: GATHER

  • Gather important information
  • Go broad (search)
  • Go deep (read) 

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Step 4: CREATE

  • Integrate facts with prior knowledge
  • Create to communicate
  • Cite your sources

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Step 5: SHARE

  • Share your knowledge
  • Learn from each other          

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Step 6: EVALUATE

  • Evaluate the achievement of learning goals
  • Reflect on content learned
  • Reflect on process 

What is research?

Terms to Know

Bibliography
A list of the sources you used for your research. (Synonyms: source list, references, works cited, citation page)

Citation
A formatted listing of an information source that tells who created it and when and where it was created. There are a variety of citation styles, and we use the MLA (Modern Language Association) stylebook. 

Database
An organized collection of information (ex.: articles and images on a particular subject) that is used for research. 

ISBN
A unique 13-digit number assigned to published book, audiobook, ebook, and DVD.  

Lateral Reading

A strategy to evaluate an information source by checking what others say about the original source and its claims.

Periodical
Journal, magazine or newspaper

Plagiarism
Presenting someone else's work as your own; copying.