Initial Secondary Source |
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Now that you’ve chosen your research topic for Unit 6, it’s time to begin finding out basic information about that person’s life and times. Just as we did in Unit 5, the best way to begin that process is to find a good secondary source as a place to begin to understand this historical figure. Follow these steps: 1. Look up your research topic on either Wikipedia or Britannica. Yes, Wikipedia is fine for getting an overview BUT NOT AS A FORMAL SOURCE. Be sure to check the lists of references supplied in each entry as well. |
2. Carefully read and take notes on your topic. You may find that it’s helpful to print the article and take notes in the margins. The more detailed your notes now, the easier it will be to write your paper later.
Note: Common wisdom says Wikipedia should always be used with caution as a research source. Since the content is user-created, it can be prone to errors. Anyone can login and change an entry. However, recent studies have shown that any errors are quickly corrected by the community. You just always want to use it with caution and check the sources from which the information is taken.
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