The Research Process

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Research Tips

Select and focus on your topic

Locate background information to define topic

Find resources to support your topic

Evaluate your sources

Stop and reconsider your topic

Cite what you find

Quick Tips:
Go from General to Specific.
Find background information, then use more specific and recent sources.
Translate Your Topic Into the Subject's Language.
Check your topic words against a thesaurus or discipline specific subject heading list to match your search terms with the indexes and catalogs you use to locate materials.
Record What, Where, and How You Found It.
Keep a complete citation for each source you find, including the source where you found it (database, bibliography, etc..)

For more help with this process Ask A Librarian

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•	How Do I...?

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	Select and focus on your topic
	Consider the following when identifying your topic: Are you interested in the topic enough to produce something that will interest your audience? Can you cover the topic fully within the constraints of the assignment? Can you find enough material on the topic? For more help with this process look at Choosing and Refining a Topic
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	Locate background information to define topic
	Now that you identified a topic, locate background information to further develop the topic and make sure enough resources are available. Look at your topic question and create a list of keywords and their synonyms that describe different facets of the concepts. Find the keywords that describe your topic in the indexes to subject encyclopedia. Read articles related to your topic in these encyclopedia to help focus your ideas on the subject. Use the bibliographies at the end of the encyclopedia articles to further your research. Remember to use your lecture notes, textbooks, and reserve readings to gain additional background information or find more bibliographic citations. Ask yourself the following questions: Will I be able to find enough information to support my topic? If no, you may need to broaden the topic. Will I find too much information? If yes, you need to narrow the topic further.
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	Find resources to support your topic
	Determine which catalogs and indexes you need to locate books and articles that relate to your topic. Using subject appropriate keywords, create a search strategy that outlines which search terms you will use and how you plan to combine them. Document which resources you used and how you found quality items in your searches; you'll likely have to revise your search strategy as you learn more about the topic. Skim books and articles, making notes of references for further reading and subjects for further research. For more help or in-depth assistance, contact your department's Library Liaison to set-up an appointment. Use search engines and departmental subject pages to help locate materials on the Web. For more help or in-depth assistance, contact your department's Library Liaison to set-up an appointment.
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	Evaluate your sources - throughout the research process
	To learn how to evaluate the authority and quality of the items you locate refer to: Evaluation of Print Sources Web Site Evaluation Checklist and Scholarly and Non-Scholarly Literature If you have questions about certain resources Ask a Librarian or consult your instructor.
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	Stop and reconsider your topic
	Based on what you've discovered ask the following questions: has your topic changed? do you have enough high quality resources to support your thesis? are you forcing your resources to support your thesis? If you answered yes to any of these, go back to step three.
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	Cite What You Find
	Citing materials and keeping accurate records is essential to research. When you restate someone else's original idea or quote someone directly, you must cite these sources using a style approved by your instructor. The most common styles used are APA and MLA. For help with a specific citation, Ask a Librarian or contact the Writing Center. Remember if you fail to cite resources accurately, you could be found guilty of plagiarism. Networked guides: The Writing Center has created online guides, which explain how to use the APA, MLA, and Chicago citation styles. These guides are also available in print at the entrance to the library and in the writing center. Book guides in the library: MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 5th ed. (REF. LB 2369 .G53 1999) Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. 5th ed. (REF. BF 76.7 .P83 2001)
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Last revised: July 31, 2003