Gathering
the notes
A. Examine the books and articles - several volumes at
a time will save steps.
First skim through your sources, locating the useful material.
Then make good notes of it, including quotes and information
for footnotes. You do not want to have to go back to these sources
again. Make these notes on separate cards for each author -
identifying them by author.
B.
Take care in note taking; be accurate and honest.
Be sure that you do not distort the author's meanings. Remember
that you do not want to collect only those things that will
support your thesis, ignoring other facts or opinions. The
reader wants to know other sides of the question.
C.
Get the right kind of material.
Get facts, not just opinions. Compare the facts with author's
conclusion. In research studies, notice the methods and procedures,
and do not be afraid to criticize them. If the information
is not quantitative, in a study, point out the need for objective,
quantified, well-controlled research.
D.
Limitations.
Tradition suggests that you limit your sources to those available
on the campus and to those materials, which are not more than
20 years old, unless the nature of the paper is such that
you are examining older writings from a historical point of
view.
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