Task One
The project I did was a research project into the civil war of Nigeria also known as Biafra war. I was to research the war based on how the war happened, in a chronological manner, the causes of the war and the impact of the war on the current Nigerian people and to an extent the whole world. To sufficiently research on this topic, I was able to set out certain objectives and research questions regarding the paper. My objectives were to comprehend the nature, degree and consequence of the war on the Nigerian people, to investigate the nature, amount and consequence of the war based on its sociological influences on options, as well as surroundings, in relation to the Nigerian people and the country as whole. In addition, to understand and demonstrate the role and probable perpetrators of the war and the important factors that led to its onset.
In order to accomplish the objectives of the research paper, I had to formulate questions that were related to the objectives. The questions included; what were the underlying factors that led to the Biafran war? Who are the starters and catalysts of the Biafran war? What are the roles of the said perpetrators and the government on the war? What are the psychological, sociological and economical effects of the war on the Nigerian people and Nigeria as a whole? Are the sources involved reliable to give an unbiased account of the war?
Finding and reading information related to the research was not easy since it entailed several factors. The research paper was on an important war in history that has changed several parts of the world forever. Therefore, due to this importance, there were many sources attributed to the war as a subject, which were either reliable or bias. However, in order to sieve the best from the worst sources, I had to employ some reading skills in the form of skimming and scanning. With the objectives in mind, I had a purpose in finding the direct answers for the above questions. Through Skimming, I was able quickly glance over a manuscript though looking over the whole page, centering on the titles and headings as well as illustrations, and diagrams to obtain a general design of the source. In addition to this, by having the questions, I had the key words, which I used to scan some of the sources. Scanning involves the use of key words and phrases inside a text or web that provides exact information required. When scanning, I glanced at key words related to the above questions in the headings, subheadings and other phrases in the text. If I could not accomplish this successfully, I read the opening and final sentences per paragraphs per page to distinguish if they connected to information I required. By use of this techniques I was almost hundred percent successful except for losing other sources due to potential oversight.
Frankly, I would use these techniques to sieve sources if I was to carry out another research. I felt that I answered everything to the best of my ability by doing the above procedures.
Task two
Skimming, scanning, and detailed reading are techniques used in proper reading. Skimming and Scanning are methods that can facilitate readers to promptly get information from a source exclusive of detailed reading. With proper usage, both techniques can save time and allow for efficient study.
Finding resources and information on the web can be a very tedious experience, especially when searching information through search engines like Google. Using Google, I was able to get over hundred sites relating to one topic. Therefore, in order to carefully sieve the sources, I had to skim each source by looking over it speedily thus obtaining a general design of the topic. I did this by literary perusing down through the page or screen and searching for clues that summarize the contents. I also used various Subheadings, introductory and concluding phrases of paragraphs and bullet points. In the larger texts, I made use of the contents lists, abstracts, and conclusions. I found this technique particularly constructive since I had to choose whether a long piece of writing was worth a close study or entailed detailed reading.
I also found skimming to be an efficient method of rapidly narrowing down large numbers of websites offered by the search engine. Through skimming, it is less difficult to do this. However, skimming a webpage merely provided a general design of its substances. Therefore, I ended up losing some vital nuances and essential elements, which I easily overlooked. In addition, by overlooking certain details, I ended up getting irrelevant information that led to confusion and an ambiguous impression.
To be capable of selecting appropriate resources and ignoring the inappropriate ones, I also needed to scan sections of the sources by swiftly exploring it for exact information. For instance, by scanning causes of the Biafra war; searching just for important details I skipped over accounts of the war's background, barely to get the causes. This technique involved me using the text's index and contents page. It also entailed the use of key words relating to the search. I was permitted to resourcefully collect information, which could was spread all over the text. Through scanning, I was able to be objective by looking for the only required information within the texts. However, like skimming, I was able to overlook some facts.
After sieving the web information through scanning and skimming, I used detailed reading to comprehend the information and made notes. These two processes helped me decide whether to carry on to detail reading or to discard the source. I only read in detail what I was certain was useful for the project. This technique was most efficient in collecting information, however, it was consuming.
Finding and reading information from the internet is not an easy task. It is much involving especially through using search engines. However, there are some techniques that when used can help in sieving information. I used these techniques and they worked out nicely. I skimmed, scanned and read information in simple manner and thus helped me deliver a great paper.
