6 Steps in the Research Process
Choosing Search Terms to use in the catalog or databases:
Break your topic into keywords
Do your keywords match the ones the database or catalog is using? Try to think of other ways to express the same concept, for example: Cameras in the courtroom, televising trials, or broadcasting court proceedings. Try looking at the subject headings or descriptors. If there is a thesaurus, use it to help you identify subject terms for that database. Be aware that different databases may use different terminology.
Connect your keywords in one of these ways:
Exact phrase - " " Example: "Cameras in the courtroom"
And - All the words Example: Broadcasting and court
Or - Any of the words Example: Court or Trial
Not - Example: Broadcasting not radio
Many in KF 2750, but also other areas
Who wrote this? What are their credentials and affiliations?
What is the author's purpose? Who is the intended audience?
Is there documentation, a bibliography?
When was this written?
Is the publisher reputable?
Is it relevant to my topic?
Some of the databases will tell you how to cite the sources you have found, but they are not always correct. Use one of these resources to make sure you get it right!
Ask at the Library Service Desk for the complete print guides for APA, MLA, or other citation styles.