Gather Information

• 2.1. Preparing a research plan
• 2.2. Creating and using data collection tools
• 2.3. Finding sources

• 2.1. Preparing a research plan
  

Once students have formulated their hypotheses, they must prepare a research plan that includes the following: guiding question, hypothesis, elements to be developed and conclusion. During the latter step, the hypothesis will be either confirmed or rejected. Obviously a research plan is not set in stone; as students make new discoveries and learn new things, they may want to modify their plan.

Word processors,  *   spreadsheets *  or databases can be used to store or archive data.

To help students structure their work, they can create an organizational map in a word processor or spreadsheet in which to note the hypothesis they want to verify and various elements of the situational problem they want to examine. Click here to see an example of an organizational map created using a word processor.

• 2.2. Creating and using data collection tools
  
  The first step in the data collection process is to create the appropriate tools. Students can create them on their own or the teacher can provide them with templates.
  

Sources of information
This is an example of the type of document students can use to keep track of all the references they have found. Sources should be numbered so they can be identified rapidly. This document can be created using a word processor or spreadsheet.

Image registry
Not all online images are free. It is very important to note the source of all images in an image registry. This document can be created using a word processor or spreadsheet.

Index cards
Index cards have long been used as a data collection tool. Students can use them to make notes about the sources they have consulted and identify elements of information they want to remember, whether from books or on the Internet. The advantage of using computerized index cards is that it is easy to sort them and adjust their size as needed. They can be created using a word processor,* spreadsheet* or database management system.
 
Databases
What is a database?
A database is a collection of records or data that has been systematically organized so that its contents are easy to access, manage and update. A database uses fields to relate the data it stores.

• 2.3 Finding sources

Several types of sources are available online. However, surfing the Internet is not the only way to find such information. Libraries may also have list of resources on CD-ROMs or memberships that allow access to subscription-based sites.

The danger, in fact, is of being overwhelmed with information. Teachers must instruct students on how to be critical of their sources. For example, students should favour institutional websites (magazines, encyclopedias, governmental sites, etc.) over personal websites.

Search engines are used to search for keywords on the Internet. Various concepts linked to the situational problem can be used as keywords.

Many different sources of information can help students answer their guiding question. Here are some examples:
- videos
- CD-ROMs
- Internet sites
- dictionaries or encyclopedias
- books
- resource people
- magazines or newspapers

It is very important for students to keep track of their references (type of source, title, URL if relevant, publication details, year of publication, etc.) using a data collection tool.

A critical analysis of the sources used is also very important, especially when using online sources: who, when (context, time and space), why (purpose) and how (methods). Sources can be divided into two types:

Primary sources  are documents or other sources of information that were created at or near the time being studied by an authoritative source, usually one with direct personal knowledge of the events being described (e.g., eyewitness accounts, legal documents, photographs, paintings, buildings, etc.).

Secondary sources  are works written about events in the past, usually based on primary and other secondary sources (e.g., studies written by historians or other scholars, biographies, etc.).

Many of these sources are available online:

Directories and search engines
Search engines are useful when defining the situational problem (guiding question) and to verify the existence of various sources of information: websites, CD-ROMs, videos, etc.

 

Images of Québec, Canada and the rest of the world

Sounds of Québec and Canada

 

Videos




Print media online



Sites on the history of Québec and Canada



Geography of Québec and Canada




Map-making sites (to support and illustrate students’ hypotheses)


Email and online forums can also be used by students to exchange sources and index cards.