This document provides guidance on conducting effective research in 7 steps: 1) Identifying a topic and keywords; 2) Finding background information; 3) Using catalogs to find books; 4) Using indexes to find articles; 5) Finding internet resources; 6) Evaluating sources; 7) Citing sources using a standard format like MLA or APA style. Each step includes tips for searching tools and keywords to efficiently gather high-quality sources.

1. By: Lizz Bustos

2.  Before you begin searching create a list of
words that describe your topic.
 Creating a list of Keywords will help you focus
or narrow in on your topic.
 As you research and depending on what you
find you may have to change your keywords
to broaden or narrow your results.
 Use names of important people, places and
events/issues.
 Remember to also browse your textbook for
keywords.

3. Wikipedia Google
 one way to begin to  Explore Google's "more
explore a topic. search tools"
 You can read an  1. Enter a search term
article for general of your choice in the
background Google search box .
information  2. Look to the left hand
 You can also browse menu and click on the "
the notes and more search tools"
references for source 3. Click on Related
Searches
ideas

4.  Books are a great place to begin your research
 You can also go to the book shelves and browse the call
number area for your subject
 Remember that a book may contain infomrmation on your
research topic even if your topic is not mentioned in the title.
Search the index of a book for your topic and for more
keywords
 When you are starting your research, search the online
catalog by subject for broader results
 Search the catalog using keywords as you begin to narrow your
topic
 Check for both reference (REF call #s) and circulating titles.
 Gale Viritual Reference Library is a large collection of
encyclopedia and reference e-books that New Trier library
subscribes to. Encyclopedias provide good background and
general information To login from home -- just use your ID
number and password to get on the network.

5. WHICH ONE SHOULD I USE?
World Geography: this is a great
database for a general overview.
There will also be linked topics on What is it?
the left hand side for
history, current • A database is a collection of
events, culture, politics and media. information, which can be accessed on
Start here when you are researching the Internet.
a country. • Some databases require a
subcription to access.
Global issues in context: contains • The New Trier library purchases
subscription databases for your use.
overview articles on specific issues
• You have access to the databases
and countries. This database is from the library and from home.
excellent for current events.
• You will find
newspapers, magazines, journal
Gale Virtual Reference Library: – articles and reference books - usually
over 1, 000 specialized electronic full text and all reliable sources.
encyclopedias and reference e- • YOU WILL NOT FIND THE SAME
books. Encyclopedias can provide INFORMATION THROUGH GOOGLE OR
OTHER SEARCH ENGINES
good background information on
your research topic.

6.  A search engine is a Search Engine Tips:
web site that uses  look for advance
specific software search options
programs to collect and
organize content from  use quotes to search
all over the Internet. phrases or two words
next to each other
 Google is currently the
most used search  add additional
engine. descriptors, such as
such as a year or
 Try Yahoo and specific type of
SweetSearch: A search information , to your
engine for students for keywords
a "second opinion"

7. Websites Criteria
 "Evaluating sources is  taking the time to
an important skill. evaluate the websites
 You have to decide you find.
where to look, what  Don’t settle for the first
clues to search for, and 5 that pop up onto your
what to accept. . . The screen unless they
temptation is to accept seem credible and will
whatever you find. But really and truly help
don't be tempted. " you narrow and
Online-Writing Lab at research your topic.
Purdue (OWL)

8.  TheCARS Checklist ) is a way for you to
evaluate your Internet source.
 Credibility
 Accuracy
 Reasonableness
 Support

9. Quotes Exclude
 Use quotes around any  Exclude
set of words sought as a - can be used to
phrase (these words in
this order). This is exclude terms,
especially useful when  Example: Compare
searching for proper Matisse to Matisse –
names so you don’t get network.
results where the two
words are on the page
but unrelated.
 Example: Compare
Gerald Ford to "Gerald
Ford".

10. Synonyms & OR Search Within Results
 Use synonyms--try to  A little known or used
think of several feature is Google’s
different ways that Search Within Results.
your search term or  just go to the bottom of
your results page, select
concept could be Search Within
stated. Combine the Results, type in an
terms with or. Or additional word or phrase
must be in caps or it to make your results
more specific and now
is ignored. you have fewer results to
 Example: Compare look through!
multicultural to cultural  Example: Compare
diversity. Hawaii to results within:
big island.

11. Site Search Specialized Searches
 Did you know that you can  Use the specialized
restrict your search to just searches. Most of them
one specific site? This kind are right there above the
of search comes in handy search box and they can
when you are pretty sure
the information exists on really save you time:
a site, but you can’t find Images, Video, News, Map
it. To use it, enter your s, and more. Selecting any
search tem(s) and site: of these will narrow down
sitedomain. your search to just
 Example: Compare "mla images, videos, etc.
style" to "mla style"
site:libguides.com.edu.  For more specialized
searches and other
features, go to More
Google Products.

12. Use the Search Tools
 Search Tools will
appear on your
results page after
you've searched.
 With them you can
narrow down your
search to
maps, videos, books, so
cial and much more. It's
a great time saver.

13. Steps one and two
 Step one is identifying and developing your topic.
 For step one, you state your topic as a question and
identify the main concepts or keywords in your question.
 For example, a question you could use if you decide to
research cigarettes could be, what effect does the
intake of cigarettes have on the health of college
students?
 Step two is finding background information.
 For step two, you will look up your keywords in the
indexes to subject encyclopedias. Note any relevant
items in bibliographies that you used, which can be
found at the end of the encyclopedia articles.
 Also, additional background information may be found
in notes, textbooks, or readings.

14. Steps three, four, and five
 Step three is using catalogs to find books and media.
 For step three, you will use guided keyword searching to find
the materials by topic or subject. You will write down the
citation, which is the author, title, etc., and the location
information, which is the call number and library.
 Step four is using indexes to find periodical articles.
 For step four, you will use periodical indexes and abstracts to
find citations to articles. Choose the indexes and format best
suited to your topic. You can find periodical articles by the
article author, title, or keyword by using the periodical indexes
in the Library home page.
 Step five is finding internet resources.
 While finding internet resources you use search engines, and
you should check to see if your class is using a bibliography or
research guide.

15. Steps six and seven
 Step six is evaluating what you find.
 In this step you will see How to Critically Analyze Information
Sources and Distinguishing Scholarly from Non-Scholarly
Periodicals: A Checklist of Criteria for suggestion on evaluating
the authority and quality of books and articles that you will
use for writing for research paper.
 Step seven is citing what you have found using a standard
format.
 In this step you will give credit where it’s due and you will
cite, or record, the sources used.
 Styles you can use for Modern Language Association (MLA) or
the American Psychological Association (APA). The MLA is
usually intended for college students to use as an aid for
writing research papers. The APA is an authoritative style
manual for anyone who is writing in the field of psychology.

16. Identify and Document Your
Research Topic or Problem Conduct Background Research
 Think about your  Background reading is
argument, identify mandatory for focusing
your topic and provides
main concepts for you with a strong
your research, and starting point for your
write or type research. Reference
everything down. sources and books are
very helpful in this
What you record will step. This step is
be helpful to develop beneficial because the
your search strategy, more you know about
this is why this is the the subject, the better
best tip for off you will be when
researching and writing.
researching.

17. Determine The Types of Information
You Will Need Cite Your Research
 The type of information you need  Remember to record the
effects what tools you use to publication details from your
locate your sources. Ask yourself sources so that you will be able
questions like these : to appropriately cite them by
 What format of material (books, using bibliographies.
journals, newspapers, manuscripts,
etc?) will most likely contain the  You may also want to write
information you need?
down the location of where
 How important is "time" in your
research? Do you need "up-to-the-
you found the information (call
minute" information or are you number, library, etc.) in case
looking for materials that cover a you need to retrace your steps.
specific time period?
 How important is place in your
 Citing is beneficial because
research? Are you looking for almost every professor will
materials covering a specific demand and ask for a page on
geographic area or are published in a your citations and you want to
certain place?
provide them with it because it
 This step will benefit your paper shows you took your time in
because it will basically write your actually researching and didn’t
research paper out.
just write it last minute.

18. Give Yourself Plenty of Time Document Your Search Thoroughly
 Allow enough time to get  Make sure to write down
the materials you need. what resources (electronic
Anticipate that there may or print) you have used and
be problems in retrieving where they are located. If
the information. You might it is an electronic
have to get books through source, write down your
interlibrary loan, a journal different searches. You
may missing in the won't duplicate work you
stacks, or Library database have already done and you
may be down the weekend never know when you might
you need it. I believe this is return to the resource. This
one of the least effective tip is basically citing your
tips because you should sources but a lower level of
already know that you’re it. If you cite your
going to need time, it is information and research
common sense. than this tip will just waste
your time.

19. Evaluate Your Results If You're Confused, Ask for Help!
 Is the information relevant  If you are having difficulty with
to your topic? Is it from an any of these, ask for help! Talk
authoritative source? Did to your information
you retrieve enough professionals: your librarians.
Make an appointment with
information, not enough, or your faculty advisor. Talk to
too much? Revise your your course assistant or
search strategy if preceptor. We are all here to
necessary, and repeat the help you with this important
process of searching and/or topic! This tip is common sense
select another tool to use. and that’s why it’s the least
This tip is not effective effective tip because if you
because when researching don’t know how to do it or if
you should already know you’re confused, you shouldn’t
just sit there, you should ask
not to get off topic, that’s for help. This is again
something we have been something we have been
taught since elementary. taught since elementary.