Useful Guide for Research Students and Academic Writers
Select a topic within the parameters set by the assignment. Many times, your instructor will give you clear guidelines as to what you can and cannot write about. Failure to work within these guidelines may result in your proposed paper being deemed unacceptable by your instructor.
Once you have identified your topic, it may help to state it as a question. For example, if you are interested in finding out about the epidemic of obesity in the American population, you might pose the question “What are the causes of obesity in America?” By posing your subject as a question you can more easily identify the main concepts or keywords to be used in your research.
Step 2: Do a preliminary search for information
Before beginning your research in earnest, do a preliminary search to determine whether there is enough information out there for your needs and to set the context of your research. Look up your keywords in the appropriate titles in the library’s Reference collection (such as encyclopaedias and dictionaries) and in other sources such as our catalogue of books, periodical databases, and Internet search engines. Additional background information may be found in your lecture notes, textbooks, and reserve readings. You may find it necessary to adjust the focus of your topic in light of the resources available to you.
If you are looking for books, do a subject search in the Alephcatalog. A Keyword search can be performed if the subject search doesn’t yield enough information. Print or write down the citation information (author, title, etc.) and the location (call number and collection) of the item(s). Note the circulation status. When you locate the book on the shelf, look at the books located nearby; similar items are always shelved in the same area. The Aleph catalogue also indexes the library’s audio-visual holdings.
Use search engines (Google, Yahoo, etc.) and subject directories to locate materials on the Internet. Check Internet Resources for helpful subject links.
Additional research tips:
Work from the general to the specific — find background information first, then use more specific sources.
Don’t forget print sources — many times print materials are more easily accessed and every bit as helpful as online resources.
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