The 6 Ws of studying/research.
tutor: Mike Horne FGS
for the Centre for Life Long Learning
Who, What, Why, Where, When, How
Who? Answer = YOU
Why? You are studying for a reason; never lose sight of your objective.
How? What is you learning style? How do you like to study?
When? When do you study best?
Where?
What? What resources are there to help you study?
"Resources For Courses"
What resources are there to help you study or do research?
Be realistic. Find out what there is. Base your studying on what really is available rather than what you think should be available!
Subject specific. For some studies there is not much choice.
For example:-
Literature - you have to read set books.
Languages - set books and practice the language.
Most subjects.
Books
Textbooks - recommended by tutor.
Library books - University and local public libraries.
Periodicals - Libraries and on-line.
Use the index and contents pages!
Notes
The notes you make in class.
The notes you make when you study.
Course notes - from tutor (may be available).
Other resources.
Fieldwork and practical work.
Your experience
Fellow students
Tutors - don't be afraid to ask for help - Lecturers are paid to help you!
Web sites
Search Engines
Newspapers and magazines
Television and radio
Beware bias!
Ask yourself "Who wrote it and why?"
Quality of periodicals - peer reviews.
Who funded the publication or research?
Bias in statistical samples.
"Jumping of the bandwagon".
Search engines - you can pay for priority listings!
Anonymous articles and web sites.
"Dumbing down" in popular publications (or even text books).
Plagiarism.
Fraud.
And remember
Possession is not the same as knowledge!
Buying the book, downloading the web-page, photocopying the tutor’s overheads … is the first step:- then you have to read it, then you have to study it, then you have to apply it. before you can understand it!
copyright Mike Horne - 2019
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