RESEARCH METHOD

This guide will aid you in formulating a research strategy.

Research may take many forms and involve many kinds and sources of information. Knowing how to begin is half the battle. These ten steps will start you on the way to systematic information retrieval, and help you establish a logical approach to library research.

1. START EARLY Allow enough time to do each step thoroughly. One of Murphy's Laws states that things always take longer to do than you think they will and another is resources that you just know are there, aren't. Another reason to start early is to allow yourself enough time to order materials from Interlibrary Loan, if necessary.

2. DEFINE YOUR TOPIC When possible, it is best to begin with a range of topics in which you are interested. Selecting a range now will allow you to focus later on a topic for which resources are readily available.

3. DEVELOP A LIST OF SEARCH TERMS

• List the key words that describe your topic as you see it.
• For unfamiliar topics, find names, terms, definitions, and good background information in major dictionaries and encyclopedias
• Check your list of keywords against the Library of Congress Subject Headings List.
• Follow up on cross-references (see, see also, etc.). These will either direct you from terms which are not used to terms which are, or provide you with alternatives.
• Increase this list if necessary by adding terms favored by the various bibliographies, catalogs, and periodical indexes you examine

4. DO AN INITIAL SEARCH Armed with paper (index cards work well) and pen/pencil, you are now ready to begin citing references, taking notes, and gathering material.

• Use the catalog. Searching by subject headings will direct you to specific reference books and bibliographies
• Use periodical indexes and abstracting services: Periodicals offer the most current, up-to-date information. Some of these sources will be in paper form and some will be in electronic form. Look up your subject in one or more of these indexes and abstracts, find the periodicals you need.
• Use bibliographies and bibliographic references: When you are doing your search, you will probably find that many of the sources you locate include bibliographies (lists of publications). There are also books that contain nothing but bibliographies. You may locate some of these, on your topic, as you search the catalog. These bibliographies can direct you to important sources of information.

5. NARROW YOUR TOPIC TO MANAGEABLE SIZE After your initial search you may wish to re-define or narrow your topic. Make sure your topic is not so broad that you cannot realistically examine and analyze relevant material.

6. CONSIDER ADDITIONAL RESEARCH If after narrowing your topic, more specific information is needed, you may want to:

• Search current periodical literature: Print indexes are usually 2-3 months behind the current news. Electronic indexes are more timely but may not be current enough. To find the absolutely newest information you must browse current issues of newspapers, journals, and magazines.
• Search for materials published by the government: The Monthly Catalog is the index for materials published by the Government Printing Office.
• Look for statistical information: The Statistical Abstract of the United States is a good example of a statistical source.The U.S. government has put many statistical sources on the Internet.
• Search for biographical materials: If you have discovered that a person is important to your topic, you might research that person

7. WORD YOUR TITLE VERY CAREFULLY This is an extension of the narrowing process noted above. A paper with a title that promises more than it delivers is apt to be received poorly.

BE SPECIFIC Avoid unsupported generalizations. Give examples where appropriate. Cite the sources of your information in order to establish your authority and credibility. Make sure that your discussion and references relate directly to your topic as indicated by your title. References should illustrate your point.

9. USE A STYLE MANUAL Style manuals are guides to consistent practice in citing sources. Their use helps to avoid confusion. Check with your professor to see if a particular manual is preferred. If yes, use that manual, and no other. If no, select one with which you can be comfortable, use it and no other for that paper or project. Do not pick and choose from different manuals; this leads to inconsistency and sometimes a lower grade.

10. ASK A LIBRARIAN Schedule some library time to coincide with the availability of a reference librarian. While the librarians will not choose a topic for you, or determine which aspect of a topic you should explore, they will help you to identify your interest and to select opening sets of terms. If you are not sure where to begin or how to proceed; if you do not understand the organization of a source (e.g., bibliography, index, etc.), or the meaning of certain symbols or abbreviations, ask a librarian!

For more information on research strategies, try these web sites: http://research.lib.umn.edu/OLIP_studentview2.asp

http://tutorial.lib.umn.edu/infomachine.asp?moduleID=13

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