Overview


 * COLLEGE LEVEL RESEARCH WORKS LIKE THIS:**

1. EXPLORE TO GET YOUR FEET WET. Start at [|Wikipedia] to get an overview of some key facts and make a list of important keywords. Browse using [|Google] to get a feel for the variety of source materials online. Use the [|New York Times] to get a sense of how this topic has been presented in the news media and to find names of potential expert sources. Write down the keywords that you use and keep track of new keywords that could be useful in your search.

2. FIND CREDIBLE EXPERTS AND DEVELOP THE LANGUAGE YOU NEED TO LEARN MORE. Use keywords to [|find books at the Paley Library] -- books give you a "big picture" perspective from experts of the highest quality. Browse around in the stacks since you may discover a relevant book that you didn't notice in the electronic database. Read a couple of chapters from a few different authors and make careful notes as you read. For each source, find 1 - 3 direct quotes that are so powerful and relevant that you may be able to use them in your own writing. And keep track of all the sources you consult in a separate document, using APA format so you can document your research adventure carefully. //A chapter from a book is an excellent choice for your precis.//

3. DEEPEN AND NARROW YOUR FOCUS. Identify some specific issues, topics or questions that are most interesting to you. Create another list of keywords and [|use library databases] to search the scholarly and professional literature. Academic Search Premier, ERIC and Communications and Mass Media Complete are useful databases to start your search. Read the abstracts of several articles until you find material that really helps you learn. As you search, pay attention to keywords and continue to refine your search by modifying keywords as you learn more. Read a few articles from a few different authors and make careful notes as you read. For each source, find 1 - 3 direct quotes that are so powerful and relevant that you may be able to use them in your own writing. Keep track of everything you read to create a Works Cited list, using APA format.

4. SUMMARIZE WHAT YOU'VE LEARNED AND MAKE A LIST OF QUESTIONS. Start writing to create short summaries of what you have learned, you will naturally discover in the writing process that you have more questions. Now return to Steps 2 and 3 to learn more.

5. USE A LIBRARIAN'S TALENTS TO GO DEEP. Librarians are incredibly helpful in finding very specific information that can help you become an expert on your topic. Take your new questions to Christina DeVoe (the specialist Communication librarian) or another librarian and ask her to guide you through the process of finding answers. //You will learn more amazing search strategies in one single session with a librarian than you can imagine!//

6. GO BACK TO GOOGLE. Now you're in a good position to explore information sources on Google, including blogs, videos and other sources. You've got a base of knowledge that helps you critically analyze the quality of information that's online. Because you have more background knowledge, you can more easily find the many gems of amazing stuff and avoid the crap that's oh so plentiful.