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Extract Relevant Information |
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Basic note taking
No matter what note taking system you decide to use (see below), several things need to happen when you take notes:
- Divide your notes by subtopic.
- Always indicate the source of all material and the page number.
- Exact quotes must be placed in quotations and cited. Never confuse an exact quote with your own notes.
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Note taking systems
When taking notes, it is important to be consistent and thorough. Decide on one of the following note taking systems.
- NOTE SHEETS. If you decide to take notes by hand on note sheets, it is recommended that you use colored sheets for each subtopic. This is particularly helpful for organization. Notes can be sorted by color when it comes time to organize and synthesize information.
Advantages: Colored note sheets are easier to organize. It is easy to write notes as you read through your resources, whether they are books or online. Your note sheets are very portable.
Disadvantages: Notes tend to imitate structure of the article. It is harder to add topics or subtopics to your notes. An,d it is harder to rearrange information by subtopic if you have many subtopics on a sheet.
- NOTE CARDS . Taking notes on 3x5 file cards is another organized and efficient way to take notes. One idea is written on a card. The card is then labeled with the corresponding subtopic and the source.
Advantages: Easy to organize cards by subtopics. Less likely to plaigirise, write down word for word, and replicate the structure of a source.
Disadvantages: Cards are easy to lose. Students must be diligent about noting the source on each card.
- COMPUTER NOTE TAKING. To take notes using a computer and word processor, you should first set up either separate documents for each subtopic or clearly divide one document by the separate subtopics. It is not recommended that you simply take notes on each article. Remember your subtopics!
Advantages: Notes can be reorganized and recategorized easily by cutting and pasting. Notes are more legible.
Disadvantages: Plaigirism either intentionally or unintentionally is a major problem, because it is easy to copy and paste from online sources. It is also easy to lose track of sources as work is rearranged.
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Tips on good note taking
- Make sure the information you collect is reformulated into your own words.
- Avoid complete sentences and limit yourself to the most important words.
- Divide notes into proper sub-topics while you take notes
- Limit information on one note sheet. If your note sheet is cluttered with information, it is harder to go back, sort, organize, and synthesize into your final product. If you decide to use note cards, put one idea per card.
- Make sure the information is relevant. Remind yourself often of your topic and sub-topics.
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HELPFUL HINT:
If you have only printed an article and used a highlighter for key words, you have neglected many of the important steps above and may very well end up plagiarizing. Highlighted material is only a beginning to note taking. |
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A few words about plagiarism
Plagiarism occurs when a student uses the words, data, and/or ideas of another author. Plagiarism is a serious occurence in the academic world, and penalities may include failure and/or disciplinary action. To avoid plagiarism, it is important to either put all information and data you collect in your own words, or to properly quote information. At all times, you should cite your sources.
Click here for more information on how to avoid plagiarisizing in your notetaking and writing. |
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Research Journal Time!
At this point in the research process, reflect on your notetaking process.
- What notetaking system do you use?
- How does this system work for you?
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