To create effective research notes, you should include the following:
1. The source title: Write down the title of the book, article, website, or any other source you are using for your research. This helps you easily identify where your information is coming from.
2. The author: Include the name of the author(s) of the source. Crediting the author gives you a clear understanding of who wrote the information and their expertise in the subject.
3. Important points: Jot down key points, facts, statistics, or arguments that are relevant to your research topic. Summarize these points in your own words to ensure you understand and remember them.
It is essential to avoid including:
- Web addresses: While it may be useful for reference, it's not necessary to include the entire web address in your notes. Instead, note down the website's name or organization.
- Copied pages: Avoid copying entire pages of text as it can lead to plagiarism. It's better to summarize or paraphrase the information in your notes.
By including the source title, author, and important points in your research notes, you can stay organized, track your sources, and have a clear overview of the key information you gathered for your research.
