ENG 100

Ask Yourself?

Where in the Research Cycle do I need to be?

Do I have enough to complete my assignment?

Research takes time:

• You will probably need to search for more than one tool and try many keywords before you locate useful sources.

• You may realize you are missing a crucial piece of information (and have to search again). 

• You may realize that you want to focus on a different aspect of a topic or your topic is too big/small.

(Re)Define your Information need

Uncertainty

What do you need to know?

• Statistics?
• First Hand accounts
• Research Articles

What tools are you encouraged to use?

• Internet
• Library Databases
• Other?

(Re)Define your Topic

Optimism

Identify topic and develop thesis if necessary.

• If you are struggling with a topic, some help is available here.

• Does your topic require specialized information or vocabulary (i.e. medical or legal terminology)

• Once you select your topic, many people find it helpful to start asking questions to help identify areas of research:

  • Who, What, Why, Where, and How?

• Do you need a thesis statement? Consult with your instructor on ways to convert your topic into a thesis.

Is your topic manageable?

• Select a topic for which you can find a manageable amount of information. Do a preliminary search of information sources to determine whether existing sources will meet your needs.

• If you find too much information, you may need to narrow your topic.

• If you find too little, you may need to broaden your topic.

Keyword Development 

• Start developing which keywords to use for your search.

• Pay attention to other results to get ideas for other keywords.

• Think of synonyms or words that will make your search larger or smaller.

(Re)Define your Research Strategy

Confusion and Frustration

Identify keywords and concepts for your topic

• Perform a preliminary search using background information sources, Internet Searching, or reviewing your notes/textbook and identify concepts, people, or keywords to help in your search.

•  You may need to change or refocus your topic at this stage

Identify the right tools and places to find information

• Who is interested in your issue or problem? Are they researching or publishing on the issue? Do they have a website?

• Are there any instructions from your instructor concerning websites, scholarly journals, etc?

• Identify the most helpful or likely places to find information:
  • Books:  Books and eBooks can offer in-depth and very particular information about a subject.  they can also provide an overview of the issue in context or a concise summary of than issue.
  • Encyclopedias:  Reference Materials such as encyclopedias provide background information as well as definitions or an overview.
  • Newspapers:  Offer up to date and local information.  
  • Popular Magazines: Shorter articles written by journalists or reporters usually summarizing or outlining an issue
  • Journal Articles: Written by experts in the field, they can include original research or ideas.  Assumes the reader has prior knowledge on a subject. 

Where to find information?

• Finding information is not always a problem for researchers.  Finding the right information is.

• Use the resources recommended by your instructor or the library for help finding legitimate and worthwhile sources.

• Research Broad to Narrow.  Gain background or overview of the issue before trying to find detailed information. 

• Find Books, ebooks, and Media

• Finding articles in Library Databases

• Other paid Library Resources

• Using Google Scholar

Access and Review Information

Clarity and Sense of Confidence

As you research and find information, ask yourself:

• Am I finding enough information?

• Are my keywords working?

• Are there aspects of the subject/topic I missed?

• What other avenues of research do I need to explore?

Stay organized!

• Identify the resources (and sources)  you want to use for your paper and where you will place them in your paper.

• Identify successful searches and keyword combinations.

Use CRAAP or other method to evaluate your resources

• There are many different acronyms and methods to help you evaluate resources for your paper.
• Make sure you are using trustworthy sources.

CRAAP TEST INFORMATION

(Re)Evaluate Your Information

Sense of (Dis)satisfaction

Take Notes!

• Take notes on what you find

• Make sure you record where you found the information and what type of note it is: summary, paraphrase, or direct quote.

Stay Organized

• Keep your notes and sources organized so that when it comes time to write, you will be ready to break down your paper into sections that coincide with your notes.

• The following note taking sheet may help you stay organized and keep good notes.