1: Prepare

Back to Research Process Guide


CHOOSE YOUR TOPIC.
Places to get topic ideas:

    • Your textbook: Scan through relevant sections.

    • Current events: Check out news sources to see what people are talking about.

    • Encyclopedias: Skim through sections on your subject area.

    • Talk to people: Ask your instructor, a librarian, or classmates what they think about your subject.

DEVELOP RESEARCH QUESTIONS.
Write down what you already know or don't know about the topic, and then use that information to develop questions to answer in your paper.


KEY TERMS:
Make a list of key terminology for your topic.

    • Scan encyclopedia and wikipedia articles

    • Look through your textbook

    • Talk with friends or a librarian about key terms for your topic

THINK ABOUT THE BEST PLACE TO FIND THE INFORMATION YOU NEED:

Adapted from Ryan Library Research Guide, Point Loma Univ.

Step 2: Background Information

FINDING TOO MUCH INFORMATION? NOT FINDING ENOUGH INFORMATION?

Use boolean operators.

Use truncation symbols.
Cut off a word to its root and use a symbol (usually *) to automatically retrieve all ends of this word.

Example: Network* brings back networks, networking

BUT Net* brings back netiquette, netscape, Netflix, etc.

Use alternative, narrower, or broader keywords.
Use a thesaurus for synonyms.

Brainstorm narrower or broader terms with a librarian, your instructor, or a friend.