Chapter six: The Bedford Researcher

Chapter six of The Bedford Researcher discusses the importance of note taking throughout the research process. It provides details tips and advice on saving and organizing information in a way that will be most helpful to you during the duration of your project. TBR suggests you create a single folder in which you can save your work. You can save particular sources using several different methods such as copying and pasting, downloading, using email, and bookmarking. A list of smartphone apps that are useful for saving sources, ideas, images, and videos that contribute to your research project is also provided in this chapter. TBR express the importance of note taking not only for the sake of keeping track of information, but also to help you gain a better understanding of your topic and research question. The text provides instructions on how to use direct quotations within your notes. It also teaches you how to modify quotes using an ellipses and brackets. This is incredibly important, as you do not want to accidentally commit plagiarism. Paraphrasing and summarizing certain passages and sources is also discussed. Section D of chapter six gives instructions on how to successfully create working, and annotated bibliographies. TBR recommends several different ways in which to organize your bibliography including by author, by publication title, in categories, or simply according to the outline of your research project. While a working bibliography consists of a simple list of sources you have explored, an annotated bibliography includes briefs notes, quotations, or summaries of the source. By creating an annotated bibliography, you can better keep track of the information your sources provide, and find the best place for that information within your research paper.