Tutorial 3: Getting Started: Research
In this Tutorial you will consider:
- How to make the most of your Unit Outline as you begin to research
- Understanding what a topic or question is asking to direct your research
- Note-taking skills including different note-taking strategies
- Reading skills for research
- Reading difficult material
- Reading speed, comprehension & understanding
Understanding what a topic or question is asking to direct your research
Understanding what a topic
or question is asking to direct your research
In order to decide how to research and complete an Assessment, you need to identify what the question requires in terms of content and genre. Many Assessment questions can be broken down into parts and this can help you understand what you are being asked to do.
Using Key Words
Look for the keywords in your essay question and underline them. Spend some time working out what they mean. Key words tell you the approach you should take when answering an essay question.
There are three types of key words:
• Task Words: these tell you what you have to do; the action you need to perform. (examine)
• Limiting Words: these limit and define the essay, making it workable. (computers, education)
• Content Words: these tell you what the focus is and what you should write about. (changes)
Understanding the meaning of words, especially Task words, will help you to know exactly what is being asked of you. It takes you half way towards narrowing down your material and selecting your answer. Task words direct you and tell you how to go about answering a question.
Implied or Complex Questions
Some assignment questions are more complex. If they do not have a clear task word you need to work out your task from the rest of the question. Read the whole question to see how different ideas are linked and look carefully for limiting words that might help you narrow the topic.
Some questions consist of a quotation or statement, followed by a task word such as ‘discuss’. Other questions include a direction such as ‘explain the significance of’ a given statement. Sometimes there may be several parts to the question, including a number of task words or specific questions. In this case, you need to ensure you address each part of the question, and also recognise the relationship and links between the different parts of the assignment when forming a conclusion.
Links to further resources
Short guide to Understanding your Assignments from University of Birmingham - this is an excellent resource and outlines various task words as well as other helpful information.
Answering Assignment Questions from UNSW
Answering Complex Assignment Questions from UNSW
If you have difficulties understanding what the Assessment question is asking then please ask your Unit Coordinator/Lecturer to explain it.
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