Secrets of Great Researchers - Lazy Debater's Guide to Research (part 5)

Some notes to parents and coaches about research:

     Parents are often discouraged that their students express frustration and an inability to produce good results in the research process.  Parents and coaches are tempted to pitch in and help with the research burden their students have.  While this might seem meritorious, the effect of stepping in during the learning process can be harmful.  Students need to learn this process through the struggle.  If you step in and do their work for them they will have no incentive to learn the process and to become proficient researchers.  While they may find that one article today, in three years when they need that one quotation for an essay in college they will not know where to turn.  While it can be difficult to watch the hours go by with seemingly few results, the process of becoming a researcher is taking its sweet time and developing your student into a great researcher.

      Another concern many parents and coaches express is the amount of time taken versus the amount of research produced.  Many debaters will sit in front of the computer for hours and find next to nothing.  While this can be frustrating for the debater, it is only through trial and error and looking down the many trails of research that young researchers become proficient.

If you would like to receive coach's and student outlines for a basic research lecture like the one featured here, visit us at the Great Debate website and request a copy of the free LD training materials!.  For links to studies and articles on the current NCFCA/STOA policy resolution and NFL/NCFL/UDL LD resolution follow us on twitter