Helpful Research Tips

Researching information for a particular assignment with an all-too-soon due date, finding information to answer a personal question, or looking for answers to satisfy your curiosity, all begin with the same approach -- an ORGANIZED RESEARCH STRATEGY. If you can begin logically and follow through the necessary steps, your task will be accomplished in a straightforward way with fewer frustrations. Taking time initially to lay the preliminary groundwork will save time and wasted effort.

CHOOSE AND DEFINE YOUR TOPIC / ASK THESE QUESTIONS

• Select a subject that interests you -- a topic that you know a little bit about but would like to know more. If a subject has been assigned, try to bring to the assignment the flavor of your own perspective that will make it more personal.
• A reference librarian can help you at this point by suggesting the appropriate subject headings, as they are standardized by the Library of Congress and by the indexes. The headings, or indexing terms, can be different from those you are trying.
• When looking for books, try to avoid brand new subjects, as indexing and publishing take extra time.
• Think twice about using popular subjects, since others may be using the materials you would need.
• Consider the length and format. Is the research for a 2-page essay, a 10-page paper, a 5-minute speech, a panel discussion? Is the amount of material equal to your need?
• Consider the amount of time for completion. Is the assignment due tomorrow, in 1 week, 1 month, at the end of the quarter? Plan time for research, organization, writing, revising, and typing.
• Check to see if resources and information are available. Spend a few minutes with the book catalog and with the online resources and indexes. Does Baker own materials on the subject you have chosen? Are the books you need on the shelf? Can the books or articles be interlibrary loaned from other libraries? Check with a librarian for assistance.

FIND BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND DETERMINE TERMINOLOGY

Spend a few more minutes in the library looking at encyclopedias and general reference books, as well as perusing the catalog. Be prepared to limit, narrow, or direct your topic to one aspect of a large subject. For instance, a time frame may help limit a large topic to a manageable one.

CURRENT SOURCES

• Examine the online periodical databases.
• Explore newspapers and journals to see what is currently being published on your topic.
• Books are not a good current source, as it takes time to write and publish a book.

THESIS STATEMENT

The STATEMENT OF YOUR IDEA for the scope or coverage of the selected topic is the THESIS STATEMENT. If this is a sentence with a directive or goal, then your research will be more purposeful and productive. Remember, the point of research is to learn something and share it in an organized, logical, and interesting way. The more carefully and specifically you formulate the thesis statement, the more directed your research will be. For instance, "Drug awareness should [or shouldn't] be taught to first graders" is a thesis statement; "drug abuse" is not. In your research you will be collecting evidence to defend, clarify, develop, or disprove your thesis statement. 

Up until this point, you have spent some time in CRITICAL THINKING, but hopefully, not too much time in actual research. Now is the time to make changes. Be flexible and prepared to change or refine your topic. Throw out everything and begin again, if need be! Ask for advice from anyone who will listen -- your instructor or a librarian are good possibilities. Begin to see a serious project unfold. The hardest part of the assignment should be accomplished!

KEYS TO CRITICAL THINKING

• Recognize that information is available in a variety of formats and categories.
• Be open-minded and imaginative as you begin research.
• Recognize opinion as opposed to fact.
• Draw your own conclusions as you proceed.
• Write down questions and your own ideas and opinions as they occur in your research.
• Have you found facts from independent sources which agree with an author's claim?

Good research strategies in the library will help you compile a WORKING BIBLIOGRAPHY: a list of books, articles, and other sources on your chosen topic.

TYPES OF RESOURCES

• Reference Books - General encyclopedias, specific handbooks, and other reference sources may contain an overview of a topic. They may reflect the amount of material available and help you limit the scope of the project. This is an excellent starting point.
• Books - The book catalog is Baker College's index of books. Books can be found by searching for author, title, keyword or subject. Books from other Flint area libraries are included and may be obtained through interlibrary loan. Ask a librarian to show you how to use the book catalog. Try different subject entries and check the subdivisions of subjects that will pinpoint specific aspects. Don't be afraid to browse in the shelves for books with similar call numbers to those you find listed in the catalog. OPEN THE BOOKS to check for information and read the table of contents, date of publication, the chapter titles, the index, appendices, charts, maps, etc.
• Magazines/Journals – Baker subscribes to many online databases that provide complete text of over 5,000 magazines and journals. These resources do not count as an “Internet resource.” Many of the online databases are searchable by keyword and subject. Remember that magazines may have a specific point-of-view that may slant their coverage of a subject. Check with a librarian for an indication of the scope or purpose of a particular magazine. Are you writing an "opinion" paper? Or, do you have some responsibility to present ideas from a balanced perspective? 
• Internet -- Why not simply use the Internet in general?
  • The good thing about the Internet is that anybody can put anything on it. The bad thing about the Internet is that anybody can put anything on it! Internet resources may or may not be valid; may or may not be reliable; may or may not be current.
  • It can be difficult to wade through all of the pages found when looking on the Internet in general. The resources found by using the library online databases are current, reliable, and valid. And easier to use.

If these or any other sources are new to you, please ask for assistance.