Search Strategy
"Questions and questioning may be the most powerful technologies of all." - Jamie McKenzie, in Beyond Technology *
Writing a research paper at the college level should be more than a summary of other writer's quotes, or a listing of facts, or a compilation of statistics. Your research and your writing is a springboard for your exploration into new topics, analysis of ideas in your own words, and finally, a personal evaluation of your inquiry's success, shortfall, and what you learned.
The best way to do this is to find your own voice and use your research skills to back up your point of view, curiosity, or thesis. Posing an Essential Question is the best way to make sure your work is original and perceptive.
The Essential Question may include all, or a few, of the following:
- Point to the heart of the matter, especially a topic's controversies
- Often have many believable answers… and often lead to other questions
- Throw new light on old knowledge
- Provocative or interestingly outlined-- challenging established paradigms (patterns)
The Essential Question now allows you to set the stage for your research strategy. Answering Essential Questions doesn't mean you need to know all the information on a topic. But you do need to know the basic information so that you can go into more depth.
Now, Get Rolling!
- Know and Understand your Assignment: Work as required by your instructor Check the handout if you are given one, and bring it to the library. This may include or exclude certain kinds of information, such scholarly or popular periodicals, or the internet.
- Work from General to Specific: Learn more: find an encyclopedia, or book for an overview on your topic. These sources can either provide a broad overview, or present detailed information on your research topic that can help you set the stage for your research inquiry.
- Identify Keywords, specifically the words that describe the key ideas or concepts you are exploring. Identify synonymous (identical) terms. Bear in mind the first term you try might not work the way you think it should
- Match your Topic to the Library's Resources
- Use PILOT and UBorrow in Pilot to find books and media. Use keyword searching for a narrow or complex search topic. Use subject searching for a broad subject.
Use LHU Journal Finder If the full text is not linked in the index you are using. Ask a librarian if you need help figuring out how to use this service.
Request an article or book from another library using ILL services.
- Evaluate what You Find: Does the information answer the research question you posed at the beginning of your search? Be flexible in your approach, try alternatives, including different databases, new keywords, and consulting background information
- Keywords: were the terms/concepts adequate in retrieving information relevant to your search?Keep track of the terms you do try in an informal log in your notebook
- Identifythe Most Efficient (Boolean) Computer Operators and note the combinations that work well:
AND = combines and limits
OR = expands
Root Words = expands
- Is the Amount of Information adequate? If you have found too many or too few sources, you may need to narrow or broaden your topic Return to the following:
- Reference Books or Circulating books for background, factual and/or specialized information
- Journal articles for peer-reviewed research
- Magazines and Newspapers for general information, opinion, currency
- Cite what you find using the Appropriate Format (i.e. check if this is MLA or APA format) and Use a Style Manual.
* McKenzie, Jamieson. Beyond Technology: questioning, research and the information literate school. Bellingham, Wash.; FNO Press, 2000