RESEARCH STRATEGY

1. CITY COLLEGE LIBRARIES RESEARCH STRATEGY Jacqueline A. Gill, Associate Professor jgill@ccny.cuny.edu 212-650-6089 http://learningthelibrary.com

2. Develop a research question Read Think of keywords Choose a resource to search Evaluate the information you find Look for information Modify your search Cite sources Take notes Research Strategy

3. Develop a research question Research Strategy DEVELOP A RESEARCH QUESTION A good way to begin your research is to locate and read short articles that will give you a broad overview of a topic. You can find these articles in a variety of reference materials. • Browse books, articles, web sites, and course textbooks • Watch/read the news • Browse through encyclopedias • Specialized/Subject Specific Dictionaries • Almanacs • Handbooks • Biographical Sources

4. Think of keywords Think of key words Research Strategy THINK OF KEYWORDS What is a keyword? A keyword is any searchable word in an online record. • State your topic as a question. • Determine what words best describe your topic. Example: • How did New Deal programs influence the arts in America? Keywords: • New Deal • United States • Depression Art • Federal Aid to the Arts

5. Choose a resource to search Research Strategy CHOOSE A RESOURCE TO SEARCH Depending on your topic, different types of resources (the web, newspapers, magazines, journals, books, etc.) may be more appropriate than others. You need to be aware of what kind of information is in each type of resource and who is the intended audience.

6. Look for information Research Strategy LOOK FOR INFORMATION Begin your search by looking at these various resources.

7. Read Evaluate the information you find Research Strategy • READ & EVAULATE THE INFORMATION YOU FIND • Quantity - Enough resources are needed to support your argument. • Diversity - Variety is necessary. Include many different resources. • Date of Publication - When was the source published? • Quality and Reliability - • What is the purpose of the publication? • What is the author saying? • What are the author’s conclusions? • Does the author agree or disagree with other authors who have written on the same subject?

8. Modify your search Research Strategy • MODIFY YOUR SEARCH • Make sure that the topic you have chosen is not too big. • Narrow your topic and focus on an aspect of the subject that interests you. • Write your topic down as a clear statement will to help guide you during your research.

9. Take notes Research Strategy • TAKING NOTES • Skim through your books and articles to get the main ideas. • Make notes of the important points. • Use index card system for recording notes.  • Be sure to put the page number and author of the source on each note card.  • When you are taking notes, try to make them as short as possible.  • Record facts that refute your thesis as well as support it.

10. Cite sources Research Strategy • CITE SOURCES • Whenever you quote, paraphrase, summarize, or otherwise refer to the work of another, you are required to cite its source, either by way of parenthetical documentation or by means of a footnote. Offered here are some of the most commonly cited forms of material. • MLA Style: Documenting Sources from the World Wide Web by the Modern Language Association of America • Electronic Reference Formats Recommended by the American Psychological Association by the APA • Online! Citation Styles by A. Harnack and E. Kleppinger • Internet Citation GuidesRef Works – creates bibliographies from exported citations

11. Questions?Visit the Reference Desk on the 2nd Floor and speak to any librarian.