research strategy
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Jacqueline A. Gill, Associate Professorjgill@ccny.cuny.edu
RESEARCH STRATEGY
Jacqueline A. Gill, Associate Professorjgill@ccny.cuny.edu212-650-6089http://learningthelibrary.com
Research StrategyDevelop a research question
Think of keywords
Choose a resource to search
Look for information
Read
Evaluate the information you find
Modify your search
Take notes
Cite sources
Research StrategyDevelop a research question
DEVELOP A RESEARCH QUESTION
A good way to begin your research is to locate and read short articles that will give you a broad overview of a topic. You can find these articles in a variety of reference materials.
Browse books, articles, web sites, and course textbooks Watch/read the news Browse through encyclopediasSpecialized/Subject Specific DictionariesAlmanacs Handbooks Biographical Sources
Research Strategy
THINK OF KEYWORDSWhat is a keyword? A keyword is any
searchable word in an online record.• State your topic as a question. • Determine what words best describe your
topic.Example:• How did New Deal programs influence
the arts in America?Keywords:• New Deal• United States• Depression Art• Federal Aid to the Arts
Think of key wordsThink of keywords
Research StrategyCHOOSE A RESOURCE TO SEARCH
Depending on your topic, different types of resources (the web, newspapers, magazines, journals, books, etc.) may be more appropriate than others. You need to be aware of what kind of information is in each type of resource and who is the intended audience.
Choose a resource to search
Books Reference Sources
Scholarly journals
Popular Magazines
Newspapers Web
Time frame At least 1 year – several years after the event
Several months – years after the event
Several months – years after the event
1 week - 1 month after the event
1 day - 1 week after the event
Immediate 7 yrs
Audience General public - scholars, researchers, and students
General public, specialists
Scholars, researchers, and students
General public General public General public - scholars, researchers, and students
Examples: Negotiating ethnicities in China and Taiwan; The Press of Ideas; Women & Art
Dictionary of Art; World Book Encyclopedia; World Almanac
Journal of Child Development;Radical pedagogy, etc.
Time; Newsweek; National Geographic
The New York Times; Washington Post; Wall Street Journal
CNN, Entertainment weekly, Amer. Med. Asn
Research StrategyLook for information
LOOK FOR INFORMATION
Begin your search by looking at these various resources.
Books CUNY+ catalog; Public library catalogs; WorldCat database
Journals, magazines CCNY Library – Databases A-Z
Newspaper articles CCNY Libraries – Databases A-Z EBSCOHOST, Lexis-Nexis, New York Times Historical
Articles in Books CUNY+ catalog; WorldCat database
Bibliographies A list of resources about a particular topic. Bibliographies can be found in books and journal articles.
Book reviews A criticism of a book or article. Book reviews can be found in Choice; Library Journal; Publisher’s Weekly, etc.
Government Documents
Books, journal articles, reports, statistics
Research Strategy
READ & EVAULATE THE INFORMATION YOU FINDQuantity - Enough resources are needed to support your argument. Diversity - Variety is necessary. Include many different resources.Date of Publication - When was the source published? Quality and Reliability -• What is the purpose of the publication?• What is the author saying?• What are the author’s conclusions?• Does the author agree or disagree with other authors who
have written on the same subject?
Read
Evaluate the information you find
Research Strategy
MODIFY YOUR SEARCH
•Make sure that the topic you have chosen is not too big.
•Narrow your topic and focus on an aspect of the subject that interests you.
•Write your topic down as a clear statement will to help guide you during your research.
Modify your search
Research StrategyTake notes
TAKING NOTES
•Skim through your books and articles to get the main ideas.
•Make notes of the important points.
•Use index card system for recording notes.
•Be sure to put the page number and author of the source on each note card.
• When you are taking notes, try to make them as short as possible.
•Record facts that refute your thesis as well as support it.
Research StrategyCite sources
CITE SOURCES
Whenever you quote, paraphrase, summarize, or otherwise refer to the work of another, you are required to cite its source, either by way of parenthetical documentation or by means of a footnote. Offered here are some of the most commonly cited forms of material.
MLA Style: Documenting Sources from the World Wide Web by the Modern Language Association of America Electronic Reference Formats Recommended by the American Psychological Association by the APA Online! Citation Styles by A. Harnack and E. Kleppinger Internet Citation GuidesRef Works – creates bibliographies from exported citations
Jacqueline A. Gill, Associate Professorjgill@ccny.cuny.edu
Questions?Visit the Reference Desk on the 2nd Floor and
speak to any librarian.
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