Library and EPCC Resources to Help You Succeed: How Do I Get Started with Research?

• The first step is to choose a topic.

• Use guidance from your teacher as to topics you can choose from.

• Then take a look at some of the resources we have that can help you choose a topic:

  • Opposing Viewpoints database provides listing of current controversial issues that you can browse through to find topics.
    • Library homepage - Online Databases- Controversial-Opposing Viewpoints-Browse Issues
  • News sources: ABCNews.com and CNN.com provide current news items that may be of interest.

After you find a topic and look for background information, try coming up with a list of keywords you can use to search books, articles, and websites.

Example: 

Childhood Obesity - obesity, overweight, bmi, children, pediatrics, adolescents

Gun Control - guns, firearms, laws, legislation, Second Amendment

These will be words you can put together to search for your topic.

For example a search could be:  gun control and second amendment

If you use words to search and don't get any hits, first check the spelling of the words and then try changing the words you are using.

Once you find a topic to research, you will want to look for background information.  Background information provides you with an overview of your topic.  You can find out the key topics, issues, people who are associated with the topic, etc...

This gives you a good background on the topic before you jump into researching.

A good resource to use for background research is Credo Reference.  This resource provides you with information on a number of topics.

You can also search the internet for information on your topic.

When you have an assignment always make sure you know what kinds of resources you can use and if there is a limit on how old they can be.

eBooks, Books, Journals, Magazines, Newspapers, Websites

If your topic is recent, make sure you find updated information as things change fast.

For example if you are researching Marijuana Legalization, you will want the most recent information as a lot of things have changed of the past couple of years.