Preliminary steps BEFORE you start your research Created by Carrie GaxiolaGreat Basin College Library Elko, Nevada August 2015

Research is a skill that you will get better at with practice

Follow this guide for preliminary steps, it will help you get organized

So grab a pencil for note takingand get ready!

FIRST: THE ASSIGNMENT

•Read the assignment carefully•Highlight requirements and main guidelines•When is it due? •Do not wait, start early!

the assignment | cont…• How long should this be?

How many words?• How many pages? (again,

read directions carefully)• How much information will

you need? How many sources?

next… subject•Chose your subject for your research •Formulate your subject into a question(s): what do you need to know? •e.g., Does culture effect health of the population?

subject cont…•What do you already know? Where are the gaps in knowledge? • If you know very little of your topic, get familiar with

the terms used by professionals in the field, write down other influencing or similar topics regarding your topic.

Please do not skip getting to know the background of your topic, it is critical to good research.

TAKE NOTES DURING THIS PROCESS

for background information•Infoplease.com (infoplease.com)•Online Encyclopedias (GBC Subject Guide for Encyclopedias)•Internet Public Library (www.ipl.org)•Wikipedia (Wikipedia.org) Links are Live: click em!

background information cont…

•Blogs (blogger.com, blog.com, wordpress.com…)•Google Scholar (google scholar)•Archive.org (archive.org)•Pew Research Center (pewresearch.org)

Write down terms used, like terms, associations you spot, any other interesting information that might assist your searching later.

learning the basics of your topic

•Mapping out can help organize thoughts and the components of your topic

determine your information needs•Please refer back to assignment requirements to see what types of data you need. Do you need primary? Secondary? Tertiary?

•articles from journals? (Databases)•Books?

Types

of data:

Pin down the required sources!Source information above: Slideshare: Dilip Barad, Professor at Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University at Bhavnagar University, Bhavnagar,India

identify where you will get your data •Consult the subject guides on the library

website for recommended databases (for journal articles)

•Use the GBC Library catalog to find books if needed. If you are distant education student, we will send the requested book(s) to you!

identify where you will get your data • Articles: For journal articles, consult which database is

best for your subject (as mentioned above, this is located on the library website subject guides) • Do you need peer reviewed scholarly articles? If so,

please see the tab on how to retrieve these (Database Searching)

• Statistics: Census data (census.gov), Gallup.com, or perhaps an industry collects what you are seeking? Ask a librarian!

identify where you will get your data •Primary Sources, Diaries or Historical Information: Although you can get this data via databases or even the library catalog most of the time, also check out:• archive.org• Library of Congress Archive findingaids.loc.gov•search historic newspapers•search for libraries who have digitized manuscripts on your topic!

other tips for sources!!

•References/ works cited page of books, articles, or other research!•Read the references the author used and you can find great sources this way! Don’t forget, if GBC does not have a source you need, let us know! We will see if our library partners can lend it to you!

other tips for sources!!•When you search databases, use filters that are usually located at the side. You can filter out non-scholarly articles, you can choose what dates of publication are suitable for your research, and much more!

Also, when you find a good article, note the SUBJECT terms used. Use them in your searches!

other tips for sources!!•Serendipity If you are in the library, look at books around the one you chose! Library of Congress call numbers are arranged by SUBJECT so you can browse!

YOU are READY to get started! • Start your research! •Use the library databases, eBooks, Encyclopedias, library

catalog• Searching strategies and tips are listed in their own tab

“Database Searching” READ IT! It will help you! • EVALUATE ALL SOURCES! See tab “Evaluating

Information” If you are unsure about anything, please ask a librarian or ask your professor for clarification.

Remember…•Read the next tabs for more guidance on database searching and evaluating information•GBC wants you to succeed! • If you need help, please ask your professor or a librarian

•Take your time, focus, and have fun learning!!!