The Hunter-gatherer

  

   

Content Summary

In this step, you need to gather appropriate resources to research your topic. You do this by:

• Using the course bibliography in the CADO and the Laidlaw Library
• Navigating databases (EBSCO, ProQuest)
• Identifying appropriate scholarly sources:  peer-reviewed and up-to-date
• Reading with purpose (matching your reading style to your need) - Skimming and scanning vs deep reading
• Accurately recording references, quotations, and commentary
• Reflecting on your research findings

By the end of this step, you will have notes (with references) relating to your topic that you can organise into an assignment plan in the next step.

Resources

Read with Purpose

Think about your reading in terms of outcomes. How you quickly or deeply you read something will depend on why you are reading it.

• I want to learn it - commit it all to memory
• I want to get the gist of it - a broad overview
• I want to support my argument to get evidence
• I want to find out what happened next
• I want to be able to answer an exam question on the topic
• I want to refresh my memory
• I want a range of opinions on the topic
• I am hunting for concrete facts and figures.

 

Read Quality

Check the following things in order to save you time (and sanity):

• The title and sub-title of the book. Sometimes the subtitle reveals the true content of the book. Covers can be deceiving.
• The date of the book. If it is outdated, then it may not be wise to read it if your time is limited.
• Preface and contents pages. Is the information you seek there?
• The index/s at the back. If you are looking for a specific topic see if the key word/s are in the book and how often. Read these pages first - is this the type of material you need?
• If you are still uncertain if the book is what you need then try flicking through the book to see if any key words jump out at you.  Skim read a possibly relevant chapter on which you may know a little from personal knowledge or your work books. See whether the book looks useful.

Note-Taking Tips

Category	Key Tips	Examples / Techniques
Highlighting	Focus on what stands out	Underline strong concepts, impactful ideas; use highlighters, circles, asterisks, and bullet points
	Prioritise clarity	Separate main points from sub-points visually, but avoid a cluttered look
Note-taking	Be flexible	Adapt style depending on source (text, lecture, video, post)
	Record main and sub points	It’s easier to trim later than add to it later
	Leave space for additions	Use wide spacing so you can add later ideas or clarifications
	Always reference sources	Include book titles and page numbers during research—essential for assignment referencing
Use of Abbreviations	Save time while writing	E.g. – For example | i.e. – that is | imp – important | OT – Old Testament | +ve - positive
	Make sure it’s readable	Use your own system, but ensure you can decode it later
Summarising	Review and reinforce learning	Write a short summary after reading to capture key concepts and aid memory
	Helpful for assignments and study	Use summaries as quick review tools or assignment prep notes
Sticky Notes	Capture insights on the go	Flag key quotes or ideas; include references; write notes on stickies to move and reorder later
	Visual planning tool	Lay out post-its on a table or wall to structure your assignment visually