This document provides instructions for doing research. It outlines the steps to get ready by choosing a topic, listing keywords, and searching the library catalog. It then discusses how to construct an effective search strategy using keywords, Boolean operators, and databases. Finally, it lists the steps to get going, including reading sources, taking notes, writing drafts, and citing sources properly.

1. HOW TO DO RESEARCHGET READY, SET, GO

2. GET READYChoose a topicList keywords, synonyms and conceptsSearch the library catalogRead background information

3. Choose a TopicOf interest to youManageableSpecificBrainstormList keywords, concepts, synonymsFormulate a question or hypothesis

4. Search the Library Catalog

5. Search the Library CatalogFind books and media: new titles, encyclopedias and reference booksRead for background informationNote sources in bibliographies Check dates for recency Check for availability in catalog

6. Library Catalog Search

7. Get Set: Construct a Search StrategyHow can green construction become a standard for home building and save energy consumption?Concepts/Keywordsgreen construction sustainable construction energy efficient Related terms green building green business environmentally friendly alternative energy home buildingMultiple spellingsecofriendly eco friendly Acronyms LEED IGCC AIA

8. Use Advanced Searching Techniquesquotations “ “ to search for multiple terms as a complete phrase “green construction” “sustainable development” truncation * to include all variant endings: environ* (environment, environmentally Parentheses ( ) Sets the order of search. Terms in parentheses are searched first: “alternative energy” AND (solar energy or radiant energy) If more than one set is used the one on the left is searched first

9. Boolean Operators: AND, OR, NOT Combine search terms for a narrow result: “green construction” AND “building standards”Combine synonyms or closely related terms for a wider search: “green construction” OR “green building”Excludes terms from the search result: “home building” NOT “commercial building”

10. Use Research Port

11. Select Databases

12. General DatabasesAcademic Search PremierJSTORProject Muse

13. Subject Related DatabasesBusiness Source CompleteGuide to Hospitality ManagementEnvironmental Science and PollutionEcology AbstractsGarden, Landscape and Horticulture IndexGreenFile

14. Academic Search Premier

15. Academic Search Premier

16. Academic Search Premier

17. Academic Search Premier

18. Environment Sci. & Pollution

19. Environmental Sci. & Pollution

20. Environmental Sci. & Pollution

21. UM find it: Publisher’s Catalog

22. Science Direct

23. Science Direct

24. GoRead sources, take notesOrganize ideasMake an outlineWrite first draftDocument sources (footnotes or endnotes)Write a bibliographyRevise first draftProofread final draft

25. APA CITATION FORMATCiting Sources Using the APA Publication Manualhttp://www.lib.umd.edu/guides/citing_apa.htmlAPA Style Helphttp://www.apastyle.org/apa-style-help.aspxHow to Write an Annotated Bibliographyhttp://www.umuc.edu/library/tutorials/bibliography/bibliography-text.shtml