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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.