About Research
Research is a complicated process, yet absolutely necessary for learning, generating ideas, and maintaining awareness. The type of research we do will shape our knowledge and the decisions we make based on that knowledge. So, how we gather information can be as important as the information itself. And remember, research requires patience.
The library is a great place to start because information in books and magazines have gone through review to be published (whereas internet sources can be published by anyone). The library also has information that is organized and static (books, magazines, and more) and, therefore, an easy, reliable source of authoritative, useful information.
A key element of research is language . The terms used in a search will greatly influence what types of results received, so it is important to think about how you are expressing yourself in the research process. Always take note of unique terms, concepts, names, places, and dates that are associated with your topic - as these are words you can employ to further investigate information. For example, if you can't find any books on Michaelangelo, you can probably find information about him in books on the Renaissance, Italian painting, the Sistine Chapel, sculpture, etc.
With any search tool, remember to incorporate any available help to put it to work for you. Search engines like Google, for example, have special functions that can streamline your research process in the 'Advanced Search' section. Many will also have a 'tips' or 'help' section that can be good guidelines.
When you have found useful information, remember that the source of that information needs to be acknowledged - especially when it is used in a research paper or class project. This ensures that there is no confusion about the origins of the information.
Please see the Research Tutorial link at left for a full introduction to library resources, research strategies, and information literacy.If you do not find what you are looking for, ask a librarian.
