Research: A multi-step processDevelop a topic and research questionBrainstorm a list of useful search termsFind information using online resourcesEvaluate what you findUse what you find

Before you begin…Brainstorm ideas:What are you interested in?What do you want to know more about?What aspects/subtopics of that topic exist?

Research QuestionsTurn general topic statement into a questionAnswer question by doing research!Questions should be specific, not too broad!Gives research and paper a focus

Research QuestionsVery Broad: PollutionLess Broad: River pollutionUseful topic: River pollution and fishResearch question: What effect does river pollution have on fish populations?

Identifying KeywordsResearch question: Is drug and alcohol abuse more likely to cause unemployment?Possible search terms:Drug abuse alcohol abuse unemploymentJob loss alcoholism employment Substance abuse addiction

Next Step: Find Information!Popular: Magazines, newspapers, most of the internet (Google can find), some booksScholarly: Academic books, scholarly journals, some of the internet (Google can’t usually find)You will usually be expected to find scholarly sources

The Public WebGoogle and other search enginesEvaluate all websitesUse sites you trustReliable scholarly information can be hard to find!

Scholarly InformationJournals: different from magazines and newspapersAcademic booksStatisticsReference materials

What Babson Library can do for youOnline access to the best scholarly and popular sources of informationResearch assistance from knowledgeable library staffInterlibrary Loan (finding and sending books and articles to you)Online tutorials, research guides, and more!