Common Sources
Textbooks
Encyclopedias
Dictionaries
Atlases
Handbooks
Begin by reading the general information on your topic.
This will allow you to learn about the larger conversation while narrowing your research idea to a more specific topic.
Reference sources are a fantastic first step!
Need Help?
Don't forget to check with our Reference Desk staff if you need any help locating material.
Use reference and general information sources to gain a working knowledge on your topic.
Be able to converse with someone knowledgeable about the topic for at least one minute without repeating yourself.
Reference
A 24/7 virtual library of reference e-books in virtually any subject, including health, business, careers, history, literature, biography, science and many more, e.g.: Encyclopedia of Survey Research Methods, Encyclopedia of Urban Studies.
Oxford Reference Online: Premium Collection
Oxford Reference Online: Premium Collection provides easily searchable, full text access to more than 100 reference titles from Oxford University Press, including A Dictionary of Sociology, A Supplementary Dictionary of Social Research Methods.
Reports
CQ Researcher (Congressional Quarterly)
Full-length articles include an overview, historical background, chronology, pro/con feature, plus resources for additional research. Graphics, photos and short "sidebar" features round out the reports. Shorter "Hot Topics" articles provide a solid introduction to subjects most in demand by students.
NewsBank consolidates current and archived information from thousands of newspaper titles, as well as newswires, web editions, blogs, videos, broadcast transcripts, business journals, periodicals, government documents and other publications. For reports and topic ideas check Current Events, Hot Topics and Find a Topic sections.
Plan Your Search Using Keywords
You may have an idea of what you would like to search for.
Thinking about keywords can increase the number of relevant results you find.
Identify synonyms, antonyms, alternative words and spellings of keywords and concepts.
This will help you formulate a targeted search statement focused on your topic.
1. Write down what you want to know in the form of a question.
2. Formulate your topic from your research question.
3. Identify the major concepts in your topic that will become the keywords in your search statement.
Concept/Keyword 1 Concept/Keyword 2 Concept/Keyword 3
( _________________) and ( ________________) and ( ________________) and
4. Identify the synonyms, antonyms, and alternative words and spellings of each of the keywords in #3 above:
Keyword 1 Keyword 2 Keyword 3
or _________________ ) or _________________ ) or _________________ )
or _________________ ) or _________________ ) or _________________ )
or _________________ ) or _________________ ) or _________________ )
5. Truncate words at their roots or stems in order to pick them up with all of their various endings at the same time.
6. Write out your search statement: