Chapter 5

So basically, chapter 5 gives you the lowdown on researching. It breaks everything down into incremental steps and offers tips to improve your researching because, as we all know, researching sucks. It is rarely on your topic, you sometimes have to make crazy assumptions and cross-references to validate your sources and tie them together into something resembling a cohesive, cognitive sentence. However, Chapter 5 has the solution!

1) Don't be dumb
 Chapter 5 agrees with this basic rule. Don't use dumb sources. For example, if you're writing about nuclear fission, you would probably go to a nuclear physics website, interview a physics teacher at Clemson, or otherwise find a good source. Don't use a government conspiracy theory website talking about how someone thinks that radiation made him big toe smaller or something like that - relative, factual, credible sources only. This excludes Wikipedia, for some reason. However...
2) Start with Wiki.
Don't cite Wiki. Citing Wiki falls under rule 1. However, going to Wiki's sources and citing them is a wonderful idea (after credibility is established, of course. See rule 1.)
3) Visualize it.
If you are swimming in an ocean of information and don't see a way out, find an iceberg. Or rather, the tip. The tip can be your research topic. However, since only ~30% of an iceberg shows above water, it would be wise to find out what's underneath the tip. Break down your topic into base components, then search for backup for your components in various media - the internet, the library, personal interviews, anything. As always, check rule 1.
4)Narrow your search.
Stay on topic. If, say, you're writing about the physics of fusion, it is a great idea to write about the LHC in the aspects which are relative to your topic. The fact that they may have exceeded the speed of light is cool, but not relative to your topic. Make sure that whatever you are expending energy on by writing down - research, paper, phone numbers - is actually worth your time and effort, and that it will come to a good conclusion later. IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN.
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