Library Sources:
Tips & Tools:
Sometimes selecting a topic is the most challenging component of research. The following paragraphs discuss using a research strategy to assist you in developing your topic and locating resources.
Gather Background Information
Before you begin researching, it is important to develop a working knowledge of your topic. An excellent way to do so is to examine a Reference Source. Or, if your topic involves a current event, you may also want to look for a basic, informative journal or magazine article in a periodical index such as Academic Search Premier. If you are creating a speech about a current topic, try examining CQ Researcher and the Controversial Issues Guide.
Reference Sources
A Reference Source is a book that provides factual, background information on a subject. These books cannot be checked out from the library. Examples of Reference Sources include dictionaries, encyclopedias, almanacs, and atlases and are identified with "REFERENCE" on the call number.
To locate Reference Sources in Concordia's library, use the MnPALS Online Library Catalog. First, type in a broad term for the topic you are interested in researching. Under the heading "Limit Search To," select "Reference" from the the drop-down list next to the word Collection. This will limit your results to those materials in the Reference Collection.
If you struggle locating a relevant Reference Source, please consult a librarian.
Academic Search Premier
Academic Search Premier is an index to magazines, newspapers, and journals that encompass the disciplines of the social sciences, humanities, education, computer sciences, engineering, physics, chemistry, language and linguistics, arts and literature, medical sciences, ethnic studies, and many more.
If you have any difficulties using Academic Search Premier, please talk with a librarian.
CQ Researcher & Controversial Issues
CQ Researcher is an excellent source for topics that are current and have multiple view points. Articles contained in the the resource are frequently equipped with charts, graphs, and images as well as bibliographies for identifying additional resources.Also, check the Controversial Issues Guide. The resources contained in the list present multiple sides of contemporary issues.
Select Literature Base
Knowing where to begin your research can be a challenge because so much information exists. Concordia's library, for example, owns more than 300,000 books and 60 online databases. Many students begin their research with the Internet. While you will certainly locate helpful information on the web, you may also find that this information is not always of high quality. (See 10 Reasons Why the Internet Is No Substitute for a Library.)
Choose Initial Search Terms
Spend some time brainstorming and
developing potential search terms. As you develop these initial
terms, begin thinking of synonyms that could also be used in your
searches. For example, if your general topic is the military, you
may also want to try searching for the terms armed forces, national
service, navy, army, etc.
Use Appropriate Search Tools
For each of the following types of
resources, use the corresponding tools.
Source Type Research Tool Books MNPals Articles Electronic Databases Reference Sources (e.g. facts, statistics) See "Reference Materials" Visual Aids See "Visual Aids"
Revise Search Terms
Thinking of effective search terms can be challenging. Use these tips to generate great searches.
You have to start somewhere. From
what you already know, pick an obvious keyword and try a search in
MnPALS. Once you have a list of titles look at them closely. Choose
those that seem to cover your area of interest. Click on the link
to view the entire record and carefully look at the information.
Specifically, look for subject headings that describe your
topic area. Be sure to write these official terms and phrases down
so that you can use them in your future searches.
Although they may be called something different, subject headings
are available in almost every library database. No matter what
resource you are using be sure to look for official search terms in
fields called "Subjects," "Subject Headings," "Subject Terms," or
"Descriptors." Sometimes the field might even be called
"Keywords."
Read the materials you find. Reading throughout your research process will assist you not only in developing more knowledge and understanding of your topic, but also in identifying additional terms, phrases, and aspects of your topic to use in your searches. For example, authors often use different terms to describe certain aspects of a topic--write these new terms down and use them in later searches. As you are reading also consider the following questions: Is there a prominent person linked to your topic? Is there a specific time period or major event associated with your issue? Use these people, events, and dates as additional search terms.
Expand or Narrow Search
The only way to do this is to read. As you read, think about the following: Who are the key researchers or experts in this field? Are they mentioned by name? If you begin to see a person's name repeatedly in the literature, write it down and do some searches on that individual. What are the main issues related to this topic? Is there a specific geographic location where specific problems exist? When did key events take place? Why are you interested in this issue?
Other things to consider: 1) Is there a special vocabulary used by authors? Keep a list of words or phrases that you think constitute terminology specific to the topic you are researching. 2) Is there a bibliography at the end of your journal articles or book chapters? If the sources that an author has referenced look helpful, ask a librarian to help you locate them. 3) Be sure to evaluate your sources carefully. What are the author's credentials? Who is the author writing for? Is the source biased in any way? Is there a consensus of opinion on this topic? How does the source help answer your research question?
Bibliographies, works cited, and reference
lists (often located at the end of books, book chapters, and
articles) identify the resources an author used to write the source you
are reading. Most, if not all, of these additional sources
will be directly related to the topic you are researching. If you
want to know whether or not the Concordia library owns a source
listed in a bibliography, works cited, or reference list, be sure to
visit with a librarian.
Redefine Needs
As noted in the introductory
paragraph, research should be an ongoing, circular process. That
means good research often involves many trips back to the library
and several discussions with a librarian. You cannot do
high-quality research on a topic in only one session at a computer.
So, break your time in the library up. Find one or two things
that look interesting and spend some time reading and evaluating
them. After
you have read a few resources, you will be more informed about your
topic and be able to redefine your searches thus making them more effective.