Starting Your Research

When you start your research, keep in mind that research is similar to detective work. You have to look for clues to narrow your topic, find relevant search terms, and formulate ideas for your essay.

Start with Your Prompt

Read your prompt carefully. Like a detective, you need to get the basic facts and expectations from your client (your professor). Your professor will explain the assignment requirements, but clues like possible keyword search terms may slip into the text of the prompt. 

Get Background Information

While researching, you should be keeping your eyes open for clues in order to locate appropriate sources. 

Background information can help you formulate and refine your topic by providing the following:

• A broad overview of the subject
• Definitions of the topic
• Introduction to key issues
• Names of people who are authorities in the subject field
• Historical context 
• Keywords and subject-specific vocabulary terms that can be used for database searches
• Bibliographies that lead to additional resources

With this relevant information, you can conduct further research. 

ONESEARCH

In OneSearch, you will often retrieve a Research Starter background article. Not every topic will retrieve a Research Starter, so you might have to search for a broader topic or try another database, like Gale eBooks. (See below) 

Gale eBooks

Another database that provides overview articles is Gale eBooks.