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Research 101

This guide will help you begin the process of research.

Road to Research

Academic Research

Academic research goes beyond a simple Google search. The research process requires you to think critically and seek quality resources.  Although research can sometimes be confusing and frustrating, it can also be very rewarding once the tools and methods become familiar. Remember, your friendly librarians are always available to assist you with any questions you have.

Research Steps

I need help to understand my assignment

Reading your assignment carefully can make a huge difference. Here are things to look for in the assignment instructions:

  • Purpose of the assignment. What should your research project accomplish? What is the role of research and of information sources in the assignment? This will help you determine your research process and timeline. (If you still have questions after closely reading the assignment, ask your instructor.)
     
  • Topic guidance and suggestions. Some instructors offer specific suggestions, while others provide guidelines to help you choose a topic yourself. Check for points and questions the instructor wants you to address in your assignment.
     
  • Type(s) of recommended sources for supporting your research. Make sure you read the instructions carefully.  Some instructors only require library databases and others give you the freedom to use both the internet and library databases.
     
  • Due date. This will help you determine when you need to start finding sources, reading and analyzing them, and developing your paper or project. Some assignments have different parts due at different times, so check all the due dates.
     
  • Length of the assignment. This will help you determine the scope of your  topic. 
     
  • Style and formatting information, such as font size, spacing, and citation style. Citing can help with this.

Highlight or underline the elements that are key to understanding your assignment. If you cannot describe what your assignment is about to someone else, re-read the assignment sheet or talk with your instructor. 

Source: Part of this guide has been adapted from Hostos Community College Research 101

I need help to choose or focus a topic

Tips for Deciding on a Research Topic 

  • Read the assignment requirements carefully. If you are unsure what topic would be relevant, talk to your professor.
     
  • Choose a topic you find interesting. 
     
  • Consider your topic's scope. How broad or narrow is it?
     
    • If your topic is too broad, it may be difficult to find relevant information. The topic also should be focused enough that it is meaningful to your audience.  Example of a broad topic: Bears
       
    • If your topic is too narrow you will run into the same problems not being able to find enough or relevant information. Example of a narrow topic: Bears in polka dot hats.

where can I find good sources for my research?

Research can be stressful, but knowing where to go and how to search can save you time and energy. Start by asking yourself the following questions:

  • What kind of information do I need? Facts, opinions, statistics, case studies, literary criticism, assessment tools or legal cases are just a few to consider. 
  • What types of sources do I need? Newspapers, magazines, journals, scholarly or peer-reviewed articles, government documents, electronic or print resources,  primary documents, e-books, traditional books, the Internet?
  • How current do my sources need to be? 
  • Where do I go for the best information on my topic? Library catalog, research databases, the Reference collection, government publications, or websites, etc.?

 

 

How can I evaluate sources that I've found?

FACT CHECK LIKE A PRO

Tired of seeing misinformation? Here's a quick guide to sorting out facts, evaluating resources and becoming more knowledgeable about finding reliable information.

Check Credentials - Is the author specialized in the field that the article is concerned with? Does s/he currently work in that field? Check LinkedIn or do a quick Google search to see if the author can speak about the subject with authority and accuracy.

Read the “About Us” section. Does the resource have one? Reputable websites will have some type of About Us section and will provide a  way for you to contact them.

Look for Bias - Does the article seem to lean toward a particular point of view? Does it link to sites, files, or images that seem to skew to the left or the right? Biased articles may not be giving you the whole story.

Check the Dates - Like eggs and milk, information can have an expiration date. In most cases, use the most up-to-date information you can find.

Check out the Source - When an article cites sources, it's good to check them out. Sometimes, official-sounding associations are really biased think tanks or represent only a fringe view of a group of people. If you can't find sources, read as much about the topic as you can to get a feel for what's already out there and decide for your self if the article is accurate or not.

Examine URLs - We see quite a bit of domain manipulation these days. For example, what looks like an .edu domain, followed by .co or “lo” is likely a fake or deceptive site.  If you are you seeing a slightly variant version of a well-known URL, do some investigating.

Extreme Emotion -  Exaggerated and provocative headlines with excessive use of capital letters or emotional language are serious red flags.

Judge Hard - If what you're reading seems too good to be true, or too weird, or too reactionary, it probably is.

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