The Research Process at OWH Library

LIBRARY The Research Process--About Research

Research is a process, just like writing. If you attempt to write a research paper in a few hours, you are cheating yourself. How to locate a book, how to cite a source, and where to start looking for journal articles are a few of the important information skills you need.

Following the steps outlined below will assist you in the research process. At any time, you are welcome to contact a reference librarian, or stop by the reference desk (located outside of the Garver Room) for individual support.

About Research
Choosing a Topic
Gaining an Overview
Finding the Best Source
Evaluating the Sources
Documenting the Sources
Using the Sources
Reflecting on the Process and Product

Overview of the Research Process

Step 1: Think about what you are required to do. Ask yourself the following questions:

What is the assignment?
What are some search terms I may use in locating information on my topic?
What do I already know about the topic?
What do I need to know about the topic?

Step 2: Overview: Use specialized reference books to gain an overview or further information on your topic. Be sure to note key words and vocabulary associated with your topic. Most reference books are found in the Garver Room. Consult OWL, the library's online catalog, to find the call number for the location of a specific book.

When using Reference books, try to keep track of the following:

Broad Subject or terms Narrower subject or terms Related terms or Synonyms

Step 3: Modify Revise topic. Do you need to narrow or expand your focus? Start to develope a thesis or statement of purpose. Formulate additional questions you may ask to guide your research.

Step 4: Locate and Access information to support your paper: Where?

Use Finding the Best Source to assist you in navigating a variety of resources to suppot your topic. Ask a Reference Librarian, or stop by the reference desk (located outside the Garver room) at anytime during the research process for assistance.

Consult both:

Primary Sources:A primary source is a first hand account or evidence written or created during the time period under study. Some examples include diaries, speeches, letters, interviews, autobiographies, and government documents. You may use the OWL catalog to help find primary source material within a book by doing a boolean search. For example: search "civil war and primary source" or "slavery and personal narratives" or "slavery and diaries".

Secondrry Sources: A secondary source interprets and analyzes primary sources. Secondary sources are second hand accounts of an event. Some examples include articles, encycopedias, textbooks, biographies and criticisms.

Always remember to evaluate the sources for deceptive arguments, bias, and fact vs. opinion.

Step 5: Synthesize the information.

Take notes.
Organize the information into an outline.
Write the paper and document sources.The Dartmouth College booklet Sources: Their Use and Acknowledgement is highly recommended to help you understand the purpose of documentation in research.

Step 6: Evaluate the paper, did you accomplish what you wanted to do? If you take the time to evaluate what you did you will become a better researcher.