Research+-+Note+Taking+and+Note+Cards

= Note Taking =

1. Do take notes **in your own words** of the relevant information. If you are not sure how to do this, have a look at the information on note taking below.
 * Dos**

2. Do use some systematic way of keeping track of your notes. 3. Do keep track of **all the necessary information** for your in-text **references** (or footnotes) and your **bibliography**. If you are not sure what you need, check the library handouts.
 * You could use a **Word document** if you are researching on the Internet or on one of the ACS online data bases
 * If you are working from the print version of a book, textbook, or periodical, you could also use a **note book**, **note pad or note cards,** but make sure that you don't misplace them!

1. Copy and paste from the Internet and present this as your own work. All text and ideas must be properly referenced.
 * Don'ts**

2. Lose track of your bibliographic information.

**Why note cards rather than a word document or notebook?**
It is useful to take notes on index cards because it gives you the flexibility to change the order of your notes and group them together easily. You can buy a few packages of 4x6 index cards at most pound or stationery stores. Note cards also help you to keep track of your sources so that you don't find yourself with information but no record of where it came from. In fact if properly used, note cards can help you to avoid plagiarism.

**How do I take notes using note cards?**

 * Write the subtopic heading of the note at the top of each note card.
 * Write only one main point on a note card
 * Only write information directly related to your Statement of Purpose.
 * Write only essential words, abbreviate when possible.
 * Be accurate: double check direct quotes and statistics.
 * Identify direct quotes with quotation marks and the person's name.
 * Bracket your own words [ ] when you add them into a quote.
 * Use ellipsis points (...) where you leave out non-essential words from a quote.
 * Distinguish between 'fact' and 'opinion'.
 * Include the source's number on the card.
 * Write the page number of the source after the note.
 * Use the word 'over' to indicate information on the back of the card.