You are required to keep a research journal. Your research journal must include a bibliography and source notes. Below is one approach to note taking that I highly recommend:
The Double Entry Journal (from Bruce Ballanger’s The Curious Researcher)
The double-entry approach to note taking is basically this: Use opposing pages of your research notebook or opposing columns in a Word document. At the top of the page for each source, write down the bibliographic information for that source. Then, using the left side or column, compile your notes from a source—paraphrases, summaries, quotes. Put appropriate page numbers in the margin next to borrowed material or ideas. Then on the right side, comment on what you collected from each source (your own commentary, questions, interpretations, clarifications, or even feelings about what you read). Your commentary can be pretty open ended, responding to questions such as the following:
• What strikes you? What was confusing? What was surprising?
• If you assume that this is true, why is it significant?
• If you doubt the truth or accuracy of the claim or fact, what is the author failing to consider?
• How does the information stand up to your own experiences and observations?
• Does it support or contradict your thesis?
• How might you use the information in your paper? What purpose might it serve?
• What do you think of the source?
• What further questions does the information raise that might be worth investigating?
• How does the information connect to other sources you’ve read?
Use this list of questions (and any others you may come up with) as prompts for writing on the right side of your journal.
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