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- Library Research Process
Library Research Process
This guide provides introductory information and tips on the research process.
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UC 1900 Library TutorialCovers six components to help new students understand what the library offers and how to use its resources.
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The Library Resarch Process:What's On These Pages
Research: An Overview
A strategy for your project; where to start?
Finding a Topic & Presearch
Start Big; narrow by aspect; start investigating
Search Techniques
How to find what you need in a database
Types of Resources & Finding Them
Formats and characteristics of information
Evaluating Sources
Investigate or test the information for reliability
Citing Sources
Details of style and using Zotero
The Research Process is a cycle, not a straightforward step-by-step progression. There are steps involved, but they can be repeated as you learn more about your topic and perhaps change the focus of your research.
Librarians can be especially helpful in two aspects of the information-gathering portion of the research process:
- WHERE to search: recommending appropriate databases and other research tools for your particular topic
- HOW to search: coming up with good terms to use when you use these research tools, and arranging those terms in ways that will give you the best results