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Preliminary steps BEFORE you start
your research Created by Carrie Gaxiola
Great Basin College Library
Research is a skill that you will get better at with practice
Follow this guide for preliminary steps, it will help you get organized
FIRST: THE ASSIGNMENT
•Read the assignment carefully•Highlight requirements and main guidelines•When is it due? •Do not wait, start early!
the assignment cont…
• How long should this be? • How many pages? (again, read
directions carefully)• How much information will you
need? How many sources?
next… subject, topic of research
• Chose your subject for your research Or does the professor have one assigned for you? Does the topic need approval from your professor?• Formulate your subject into a question(s):
What do you need to know? • e.g., Does culture effect health of
the population?
subject cont…• What do you already know? Where are the gaps
in knowledge? • If you know very little of your topic, get familiar with
the terms used by professionals in the field. Write down other influencing or similar topics regarding your topic. You must know basics in order to research the topic! Please do not skip getting to know the background of
your topic, it is critical to good research. TAKE NOTES DURING THIS PROCESS!
For background information
• Infoplease.com (infoplease.com)•Online Encyclopedias (GBC Subject Guide for Encyclopedias)• Internet Public Library (www.ipl.org)•Wikipedia (Wikipedia.org)
Links are
Live:
click
em!
background information cont…•Blogs (blogger.com, blog.com, wordpress.com…)•Google Scholar (google scholar)•Archive.org (archive.org)• Pew Research Center (pewresearch.org)
Write down terms used, like terms, associations you spot, any other interesting information that might assist your searching later.
learning the basics of your topic
•Mapping out can help organize thoughts and the components of your topic
determine your information needs
•Please refer back to assignment requirements to see what types of data you need. Do you need primary? Secondary? Tertiary?
•Articles from journals? (Databases)•Books? Newspapers?
Types of data:
Pin down the required sources!
Source information above: Slideshare: Dilip Barad, Professor at Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University at Bhavnagar University, Bhavnagar,India
identify where you will get your data
• Consult the subject guides on the library website for recommended databases (journal articles)
• Use the GBC Library catalog to find books if needed. If you are distant education student, we will send the requested book(s) to you!
identify where you will get your data
Statistics (links are live, click!)Census data Gallup.comCenter for Disease Control Bureau of Labor Statistics USA Data and Statistics Or consult this guide: Pathfinder for statistics
identify where you will get your data
Primary Sources, Diaries or Historical Information: Although you can get this data via databases or even the library catalog most of the time, also check out: archive.org Library of Congress Archive findingaids.loc.govSearch historic newspapers
Search for libraries who have digitized manuscripts on your topic!
other tips for sources!!
References/works cited page of books, articles, or other research!• Read the references the author used and you can
find great sources this way! Don’t forget, if GBC does not have a source you need, let us know! We will see if our library partners can lend it to you!
other tips for sources!!Techniques for database searching is located in a separate tab on this guide.
Please read it because this information will help you!
•When you search databases, use filters that are usually located at the side. You can filter out non-scholarly articles, you can choose what dates of publication are suitable for your research, and much more!
Also, when you find a good article, note the SUBJECT terms used. Use them in your searches!
other tips for sources!!
Serendipity: If you are in the library, look at books around the one you chose! Library of Congress call numbers are arranged by SUBJECT so you can browse!
Remember…• Read the next tabs for guidance on database
searching strategies,evaluating information, and citing your sources• GBC wants you to succeed! ASK for help if you need
clarification on anything! • If you need help, please ask your professor or a
librarian • Take your time, focus, and have fun learning!!!
You are READY to get started!Library Information:
Monday – Thursday 8am-7pm (PST)Friday 8am-5pm
Main Phone: 775-753-2222Main Email: [email protected]
Library Staff: Eric Walsh, Reference Librarian & Interim Director [email protected]
Carrie Gaxiola, Circulation [email protected]
Christina Park, Library Tech [email protected]
