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Research guide for students in English 1A

Welcome!

This guide will introduce you to many of the different types of information resources, search tools and strategies that can be used to conduct research for a variety of topics that you might select for your assignment.  Use the tabs along the top of this guide to navigate to tips and recommendations for each step of the research process.  

Quality research is a process that requires time and focus, so be sure to start early! This guide is only a starting point. If you need additional help, please do not hesitate to contact a librarian.

 

Understand Your Assignment

Before starting your research, be sure you understand the details of your assignment. This includes:

  • What topic(s) are you being asked to explore?
  • When is the assignment due?
  • How long should your final paper/project be?
  • What formatting style (MLA, APA, etc.) should you use?
  • How many sources/citations are required?
  • Should your sources be "scholarly" or "peer-reviewed"?
  • Do you need to include specific types of resources (newspapers, books, etc.)
  • How important is the currency of the resources you cite?
  • What other restrictions are there?

Check your syllabus for additional details. When in doubt, ask your professor.

Introduction to the Research Process

Research typically begins when you need information to solve a problem - fulfilling an academic assignment, professional project or for you own personal purposes.  Approaching the research process with a plan in mind will give direction to your efforts and help you stay focused.

A research strategy will help you be more efficient and effective and enhance the quality of your research.  

The basics of the research process include: 

STEP 1:  Clearly define your topic & information need

STEP 2:  Begin exploring subject overviews for better understanding and to refine your thesis

STEP 3:  Consider potential search keywords and form the search strategy

STEP 4:  Search for information using a wide variety of discovery tools and formats

STEP 5:  Evaluate information for relevance, credibility & currency

STEP 6:  Analyze & incorporate information into project

STEP 7:  Recognize sources used by giving proper citation