Research Strategies
Efficient research
moves from general to specific resources. The steps in a basic research project
are outlined below. Use this outline to work your way through your own research
project.
1.
Locate overview or background information on your topic. Consult general and
specialized encyclopedias to find:
§
Scope of
topic
§
Sub-topics
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Vocabulary
§
Authorities
§
Bibliographies
2.
Narrow your topic:
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Develop
a research question.
§
Identify
the search terms in your question.
3.
Locate research materials, using the terms identified in #2. Analyze
your topic. What types of materials would contain the most appropriate
information on your topic?
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Books –
online catalog
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Articles
– periodicals databases
Ø
News
coverage – Lexis Nexis
Ø
Magazines
– Expanded Academic ASAP, Academic Search Elite, Periodicals Abstracts, Wilson
Select Plus
Ø
Scholarly
journals – any of the above or subject specific databases such as Art Abstracts
or MLA
§
Web
sites – directories, search engines, and the Deep Web
§
Bibliographies
4. Evaluate all information gathered for appropriateness to your research question, credibility, currency, objectivity and accuracy. Select only the credible sources.
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Authority
§
Who provided the information?
§ What are the author's credentials?
§ What is their reputation as an information provider?
§ Does the information provider have the authority or expertise to provide information on that topic?
§ Where was the information published? (book, scholarly journal, popular magazine, Internet) What is the credibility level of this source?
§
Currency
§ When was the material written?
§ Does currency or lack of currency affect the material?
§ Is the information provided for current information or for historical purposes?
§ When was the last update of the information?
§
Scope
§ Does it really address your topic? Is it relevant?
§ Is your topic the subject heading of this article, or merely a keyword?
§ Objective & factual - contains proven facts and information
§ Objective, but with a hidden argumentative purpose - carefully selected evidence peppered with biased language or information
§ Exploratory - Objective explanation of several different views
§ Deliberately argumentative - Does it take an obvious position on a controversial issue?
§ Extremist or biased - emotional language, extreme examples, associated with extremist groups
5.
Write the paper:
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Draft
§
Revise
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Final
§ Cite Sources according to appropriate style