Step 4: Sorting
In the Sorting Step in the research process, YOU, the researcher, must reorganize information so that the most valuable information becomes readily available to support understanding.
Organize Notecards

Here are some tips to help you organize your information:

  1. Lay out all of your notecards on a table. Make sure that each notecard meets the requirements of the notecard checklist.
  2. Group together notecards by sub-topic. (Use the questions / headings to help you.)
  3. Read through each notecard and make sure that the information is relevant to the sub-topic.
  4. Read your notecards critically. Do you have enough information to write a well-supported paragraph for each category / sub-topic?
  5. Put your notecards in the order you plan to use them in your paper and number them.

Student / Teacher Conference

Conference with your teacher now so both of you can review the quality of information and answers that you found during your research. Do you have all of your questions answered? Do you need any other information to complete the writing assignments?