The Research Process

Joel Seewald, Librarian313-583-6326

January 30, 2003

Research Process (7 steps) 1. Getting started 2. Exploration 3. Focusing 4. Finding and using sources 5. Organization and assessment of

progress 6. Presentation of results 7. Final assessment of project

General Information Library home page:

http://library.umd.umich.edu

What questions do you ask first? Length of paper Minimum number of sources Types of sources Due date What style manual should be followed

Select a topic Appropriate to the assignment Personally interesting Researchable

Step One: Getting Started

Step Two: Exploration— Why Explore?

Helps you know whether you’re really interested in the topic area.

Bibliographies refer you to some of the standard books, articles, or sources.

Exploration gives you a basis for understanding and evaluating the sources you find later.

Step Two: Exploration— Sources General encyclopedias

World Book Encyclopedia and The New Encyclopaedia Britannica are available in print in the library (both are also online).

Specialized or subject encyclopedias Discovering Science and Discovering Authors are

examples of subject encyclopedias available online. Encyclopedia of Crime and Justice and Encyclopedia of

Ethics are available in print in the library. Introductory sources

Congressional Digest, Contemporary World Issues, The CQ Researcher, and Opposing Viewpoints are available in the library (The CQ Researcher is also available online).

Step Two: Exploration— Not just for research papers

From: "Gibbon." Encyclopædia Britannica 2003  Encyclopædia Britannica Online.28 Jan, 2003  <http://0-search.eb.com.wizard.umd.umich.edu:80/eb/article?eu=37457>.

Where to Look Library home page: http://library.umd.umich.

edu

Step Three: Focusing— A good focus will help you to:

plan the remainder of your library research

conduct successful searches of library databases

recognize potentially useful articles and other sources

concentrate on your research reading organize your note-taking

Step Three: Focusing— Focus Grid

Subject:

Geographical Time Populations Disciplines/ Special

Limits periods or groups perspectives concerns

Step Four: Collection and Use Type of Information: statistical,

opinion, criticism, historical Format: books, journals,

newspaper, government documents, web sites

IMPORTANT: Be sure to keep track of search terms and sources found

Where to Look Library home page: http://library.umd

.umich.edu

The Library Catalog...

The Library Catalog...

The Library Catalog...

The Library Catalog...

Where to Look Library home page:

http://library.umd.umich.edu

Research Databases…

General Databases

Off-campus Authentication

Boolean Searching You've probably seen these when

searching the web. dogs AND cats dogs OR cats

Which of the two searches above would produce the greatest number of results?

At first glance, it looks like using "AND" would.

Boolean Searching, Part 2

"Dogs AND cats" means that you only want articles that include both terms.

"Dogs OR cats” returns articles that are about one, or the other, or both.

ProQuest DatabaseSearching

ProQuest Database Results

CITATION/ABSTRACT

TEXT + GRAPHICS

PAGE IMAGE

FULL TEXT

Search results: terrorism AND Irish Republican Army

ProQuest Article Screen

General Reference Center Gold Database Searching

General Reference Center Gold Database Results

Search results: terrorism AND Irish Republican Army

General Reference Center Gold Article Screen

General Reference Center Gold Article Screen

Step Five: Organization and Assessment of Progress Has my topic changed in nature or

focus? Are there gaps in my research that

require further investigation? If yes, I need to find more books,

articles, or other sources. If no, review your research. There’s

almost always something that may have been missed or can be expanded upon.

Step Six: Presentation of Results What format do I use in citing my work? Do I have all of the citation information I

need? If I’m having trouble pulling my

thoughts together for a coherent project, where can I get help? The Library’s Internet Resources Page has

links that can help: http://library.umd.umich.edu/lib/internet/index.html

Step Seven: Final Assessment of Project What research strategies worked? How could I do things differently?

Ask for Help Library staff are friendly and want to

help you. It’s what we do. Research assistance hours are posted,

on the website and on the Library Research Center door.

You can make an individual appointment.

Help is available through email from the library home page. Turnaround time: within 24 hours.