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Learn how to locate sources for your research paper.

Research

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What is Research?

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Research is a systematic approach to defining,

refining, gathering and evaluating information.

With a world of information, we need to be systematic to find anything…

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Hi. I’m librarian Mary Beth Parkinson. I’ll guide you through

researching a topic using a range of print and electronic sources.Need Help? Ask Us!

Brendlinger Library(215) 641-6594West Campus Library(610) 718-1864IM a librarianrefdesk@mc3.edu

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Choose a topic

Write down a topic you want to learn more about. For example…

Post-Traumatic Stress DisorderYour topic will gain focus as you do research.

Photo by Sgt. Russell Gilchrest http://www.army.mil/yearinphotos/2010/february.html

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Start with the basics!Familiarize yourself with

your topic by finding background information in a

subject encyclopedia.

Your textbook is also a good source for background information!

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Subject encyclopedias

You will find …• An overview of your topic;• Ideas to focus your topic;• Keywords to search for books

and articles;• Bibliographies to point out

useful books, webpages, and articles.

Talk with a librarian to find the best print or online encyclopedia!

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Using a subject encyclopedia

To find articles in a print encyclopedia, check the index located in the last volume.

Here is an example from the Encyclopedia of Psychology. Arrows point to articles that may be of use.

The numbers represent volume: page number. The primary article is in bold.

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Also on ourwebsite…

We have a number of online encyclopedias and reports on current issues.

On our library website, go to Find Articles then choose “Current Issues”

Look for…• Credo Reference• CQ Researcher• Opposing Viewpoints Our database list automatically changes with

each subject or format you select!

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As you read your encyclopedia article, highlight keywords.

Highlighters: photosteve101/Flikr

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Keywordsare words that define or describe your topic

Skeleton Key: Courtney Mault/Flikr

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Forexample

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Brainstorm your own keywords.

Try synonyms of words you found in your reading.

Also consider people, places and terminology related to your topic

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Focus your topic.

After you collect keywords, try focusing your topic by writing your ideas as

questions. For example…

How has care for veterans suffering from PTSD improved in the past century?

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Keywordsunlock

information

Keyhole photo: Just Chaos/Flikr

You will search by keyword to find books & articles tagged with matching keywords.

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Let’s compare our libraries to Facebook…

On Facebook, photos are tagged with names. Search a name and find

photos of that person.

Mary Beth

Sarah

Jerry

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In our libraries books & articles are tagged with titles, authors,

subjects and descriptions.

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Now let’s put your keywords

to work

Go to the next tutorial and let’s find books,

articles, and websites

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Need Help?

Visit, Call,IM or EmailBrendlinger Library

(215) 641-6594West Campus Library

(610) 718-1864IM a librarianrefdesk@mc3.edu