How To Do Research: Starting Your Research

• Choose a topic you find interesting, whenever it's possible.
• Explore! Search for background information before you commit to a topic. Look it up on the Web or in an encyclopedia to learn more about it.
• Use the Reference tab above to find resources like encyclopedias.
• As you explore, look for sub-topics within your topic. Some topics are so big that you just can't squeeze them into a single paper. For instance, instead of trying to encompass everything about global warming, you could focus on a specific phenomenon like global warming's effect on hurricane severity or how it impacts polar bear populations.
• Don't be afraid to adjust or refocus your topic once you start researching. It happens to all of us!

(Image courtesy of Stuart Miles / Freedigitalphotos.net)

• Look your topic up in encyclopedias or try your favorite search engine online. What you find won't necessarily be something you cite in your paper, but it can give you inspiration for the next steps in your research!
• Look for clues in what you find to help you search the library's resources, like:
  • Special words used to describe or talk about your topic
  • Names of authors or researchers who know a lot about your topic
  • Citations for books and articles you might want to look up in the catalog or online search tools

• Find out how many and what kinds of sources you need by looking at your assignment or syllabus, or by asking your professor.
• Does your professor want you to use books? popular articles?scholarly articles? primary sources? statistics?
• Think about the different kinds of questions you need to answer. For example; cutting edge research is found in scholarly articles, books give good overviews, and newspapers are a great window into what the public thinks. Match the information you need to the source most likely to help you find it. Librarians and professors can be helpful here!

• Look for books and articles on your topic.  For more help, go to the Books tab or the Articles tab!
• Evaluate the sources you find.  If you need help, there's a tab for that too!
• Take notes as you read.  If you print your own copy of an article, underline the important parts that you want to refer to in your paper.
• Be sure to cite your sources!  Find out what citation style your instructor wants you to use, and go to the Citation Help page to find out how to cite in that style.
• Remember to edit your paper!  Try reading it out loud to see if you hear grammer mistakes, or ask someone who is not in your class to read through it and help you spot errors.