Science+Research+Guide

=**Step 1: Pick a Topic**= toc //Conduct preliminary research on a broad topic, using reference sources and videos.// This is a great time to use Wikipedia. As you gain context and understanding of the topic, narrow your focus to sub-topics, important terms, and issues related to your topic. Example:
 * CLAIM, EVIDENCE, REASONING...RESEARCH **
 * **Broad topic**: Photosynthesis
 * **Sub-topic:** Photosynthesis and Global Warming

=Step 2: Ask Questions= // Develop a couple questions about the sub-topic that you chose that you're interested in investigating. Your questions should NOT be too narrow or too broad. //
 * **Research Question:** How is global warming effecting photosynthesis on earth?

=**Step 3: Test Your Research Questions**= //Conduct preliminary research on the web, in databases, and the library catalog.// Choose the research question that interests you the most, but make sure that there is plenty of information/data on your topic. If very few articles have been written about your topics, chances are your topic is too narrow.

=Step 4. Develop a __Claim__= //Your claim is the idea that you are trying to prove. It answers your research question. In English class, a claim is called a thesis statement//.


 * Example: **
 * **Research Question:** How is global warming effecting photosynthesis on earth?
 * **Claim:** Global warming is increasing photosynthesis on earth.

=Step 5: Gather __Evidence__ & Evaluate Sources= //Locate scientific data and authoritative sources of information that support your claim.// Use the **Research Resources** listed at the bottom of this page to locate, articles, videos, studies, and other sources of evidence.


 * Your Evidence can include: **
 * Data collected from an in-class lab or investigation, as well as data from a published studies
 * Observations
 * Scholarly Articles

**NOTE:** Make sure to evaluate all sources of information for authority, accuracy, and currency. Use the Website Evaluation handout when making decisions about which sources of information to use.

[[file:WebEvalChecklist.pdf]]
=**Step 6: Take Notes & Cite Sources**=
 * Creating a New Account on NoodleTools
 * Re-validating Your Noodle Tools AccountCreating and Sharing a Project in NoodleTools
 * **Username** - technology
 * **Password** - contact your library teacher: library
 * Retrieving your NoodleTools Password
 * Citing an Online Database article in Noodle Tools
 * Citing a Website in Noodle Tools

=**Step 7: __Reasoning__**= // Your ideas about what the evidence means and how the evidence proves your claim. Your reasoning should include: //
 * ** Explanation of how the evidence supports your claim **
 * **Scientific Principles** (Your reasoning should show that you know the science behind your answer)
 * **Procedure** (If you conducted your own data collection, you can include //some// information about procedure)

Global warming is an result of an increase in carbon dioxide concentrations on Earth. Burning fossil fuels is one of the primary contributor to this increase in C02. Plants use carbon dioxide in the process of photosynthesis, therefore there's an increase in CO2 on Earth there is also an increase in photosynthesis
 * Example: **

=Research Resources=
 * Science Databases by Subject
 * Science Reference Desk