Research Process: Search Effectively

In the research process, exploration comes after a general topic or idea has been chosen.  While you might find this topic or idea interesting, unless you already know a lot about it you will need to build your background knowledge before you can start asking good questions to deepen your understanding.

Ways to Explore to Build Knowledge:

• Google your topic and look over a few basic articles and websites.  This is the time to use Wikipedia, YouTube, and other general websites.
• Browse Destiny or the library shelves for print materials.  There might be a good, simple, general book on your topic that will help you explore.
• Use a library database with general information and background articles.  Good general choices would be:

Once you have explored your topic through general research and have formulated a good research question, it's time to step up the search.  Now is the time to turn your attention to scholarly sources and leave the encyclopedias and general overviews behind.

You will be reading your sources and gathering the evidence from the texts that is pertinent to your research question.  Keep track of this using your NoodleTools notecards.

How will I feel at this stage?

At this stage you should be feeling more confident, having a clearer direction to focus your searching.  If you're feeling good about your research question, you may have a renewed interest in finding your answer.  It's exciting to be on a roll!

How are you going to start looking for information?

How do you know when you need information?

How do you know where to look for information? What types of sources will be most useful?