Stage 5: Researching/ Organising Notes

The Academic Essay

Read both widely and selectively to gain an overall perspective of the topic.
Ensure you read compulsory readings and other articles you may be referred to.
Use reading strategies (overviewing, skimming, scanning) to streamline your research and gain an overall understanding of the area as quickly as possible.
Read with the topic in mind.
Note-make (with your initial plan in mind) under already selected headings.
Add new headings if your research suggests you should.
Only record information and ideas that are relevant to your question.
Always remember to record all the bibliographic details of the resources from which you note-take so that you do not need to retrace resources in order to create your reference list (you may find that you cannot find the resource the second time!).

Methods of recording your research

Using individual cards
The card-indexing system is one effective method. Use separate cards or pieces of paper to record: author's surname and initials, date, title, publisher and place of publication, together with your notes from each source. These can be shuffled under various headings to correspond with your plan.

Using note pages
Another method is to use loose sheets of paper. Record your notes on one side and then your comments about these notes on the other. Use headings at the top of each page that correspond with your plan.

Using the computer
Gather information under various headings, or in different files. Material can be easily moved from one point to another as your essay develops. Always ensure you make a back-up disk copy.

Click on the following links for information about the Stages of the Essay: