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Basic Research Methods: Annie Gabriel Library

The document provides an overview of basic research methods. It outlines steps for identifying and refining a research topic, including brainstorming subjects related to an assignment and using keywords. It discusses determining what information is needed, such as facts, current information, or differing viewpoints. Search strategies are presented, such as using reference sources to find background information and databases to find in-depth articles and books. The document stresses the importance of evaluating information sources by considering the author's credentials, bias, publication details, and date.

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29 views

Basic Research Methods: Annie Gabriel Library

The document provides an overview of basic research methods. It outlines steps for identifying and refining a research topic, including brainstorming subjects related to an assignment and using keywords. It discusses determining what information is needed, such as facts, current information, or differing viewpoints. Search strategies are presented, such as using reference sources to find background information and databases to find in-depth articles and books. The document stresses the importance of evaluating information sources by considering the author's credentials, bias, publication details, and date.

Uploaded by

ramizahmedkapadia
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Basic Research Methods

Annie Gabriel Library

Identify & Refine your Topic


Using your assignment as a guide, brainstorm several
interesting subjects. Refine those subjects into one topic by
listing keywords, similar words or phrases, and broader and
narrower words.
Sample Assignment:
Find an area of interest and write an in-depth, research report (4-6
pages) that investigates a significant issue within that discipline.
Sample Topic:
What effect does television
have on the eating habits
of children

Keywords & Related Words:


Television (view related words)
eating habits (view related words)
children (view related words)

ERIC has one of the


most comprehensive
thesaurus available

What information do you need?


1. Do you need facts, figures, statistics?

View Statistical Databases

2. Do you need a general overview of the topic?

World Almanac and Encyclopedia

3. Does your information need to be very


current?

Learn how to limit your searches by year

4. How in-depth does your research need to be?

Try to use at least 1 source per page for you


assignment. Example: If you are writing a 10
page paper, use 10 scholarly sources.
You will actually need to find more sources then
you will end up using. If you need to use 10
sources, you should initially gather 15-20.

5. Do you need to consider different or


conflicting points of view?

Try LexisNexis Reference sources


(click Reference > Polls & Surveys)

Search Strategies
1. Use encyclopedias, almanacs and dictionaries to find background
information on your topic

Consult the Kinds of Information Chart


Browse books in your subject (CBU uses the Library of Congress
system. In this outline, the letters are specific areas of the library
where you will find books on your subject)

2. Use the librarys many databases to find in-depth


information in books and journals

Online Research Databases (articles & journals)


WebCat Catalog (books & AV)

Improve your Search Results


Use Boolean operators in all online databases (including
Google) to improve the relevancy of your results.

Evaluate your information

Everything that is written has at least some bias


or point-of-view. You need to evaluate how much
Learn how to
that bias affects the content of the article or
identify scholarly
website.
journals
Who is the author?
Did the author have any authority in what they
wrote? What credentials do they have?
Why was the article written?
Many articles and websites were written to
present specific arguments or theories. Make
sure you know if the information you are using
was written for a specific purpose.
Where was it published?
Was it published in a peer-reviewed, scholarly,
or otherwise authoritative journal? Or, merely
on someones personal website?
When was it published?
Obvious, yes. But, make sure that the website
you use is not outdated.

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