Pre-research involves gathering basic information about a potential topic using reference sources to learn more facts, narrow or expand the topic ideas, and understand what information is available. It is also useful for creating a keyword list to aid searching databases which is important for finding the exact resources needed. While not all pre-research information will be used in the final product, it is an important exploratory phase to discover words, ideas and select the best sources.

1. Pre-Research
Why do it?

2. What is Pre-Research?
 Pre-Research is the act of gathering basic information about a
potential topic using a variety of reference sources.
Why should we Pre-Research?
 Pre-Research allows you to learn more facts and information about
your topic.

Pre-Research also helps you narrow or expand your topic ideas and
gives you a more clear picture of what type of information is
available on your topic.
 Be flexible – you may find that you have to tweak your topic during
the Pre-Research process by narrowing or broadening.

3. Creating a Keyword List
 The Pre-Research stage is also a great time to gather and discover
keywords.
 Creating a keyword list will help the research process go more
smoothly because you will have already developed a unique
vocabulary that will allow you to communicate with the databases
and catalogs.
 Having a robust keyword list will be a huge advantage when you
begin researching in larger databases, such as Bulldog OneSearch.
 The keyword list is something that you will continue to add to and
develop throughout the research process.

4. Why is a Keyword List so important?
 Pre-Research also allows you to become more familiar with terms,
vocabulary, and phrases used by researchers writing about that time
period and by people who lived during that time period.
 Knowing the right vocabulary allows you to pinpoint the exact type
of resource you are looking for.
Parting shot…
 Not all of the sources and information that you discover during the
Pre-Research phase will be used in your final product or paper.
 Pre-Research is an exploratory phase of research, a time to gather
words and ideas – only pick the best and most unique sources for
your final product.