Nova Scotia Community College
Library Services
The Research Process- Part One:
Getting Started!
Facilitator:
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Objectives of this Workshop
• Acquaint/re-acquaint learners with the research
process
• Introduce information sources required in the
research process
• Establish a “research portfolio” to facilitate a research
project
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What is research?
• Research means that you don't know, but are
willing to find out. - Charles F. Kettering
• If we knew what it was we were doing, it
would not be called research, would it?
- Albert Einstein
• Basically – a process – analyze a topic to
prove a hypothesis; is a series of “steps”
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How to Start
• Clarify assignment/research paper with instructor
• Time management
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Generate ideas
Complete a summary
Conduct preliminary research on topic
Create a research portfolio
• Consult with library staff
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Step 1 - Define/Clarify the Topic
• Choose a familiar topic
• Choose an interesting topic
• Be aware of any strong beliefs or prejudices you may hold
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Step 1 – Choosing a Topic, cont’d
Watterson, B. (1992). The indispensable Calvin and Hobbes: a Calvin and Hobbes treasury. Kansas City:
Andrews and McMeel.
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Step 2 - Narrow or Focus Your Topic
• Beware of too much information
- Topic is too broad
• Beware of not enough information
- Topic is too narrow
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Step 3 - Formulate Your Topic
• Articulate the specific research question, a “thesis
statement”
• State a specific claim about the paper
• Analysis will be supported with evidence
• Paper is devoted to explanation of claim
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Step 4 - Literature Search
• Most lengthy step in the research process
• Take the time to:
– Familiarize yourself with literature on topic
– Look at information in a variety of formats
(books, journals, databases, internet…)
– Evaluate information you find - be critical!
– Consult library staff for assistance
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Step 4 - Literature Search
Watterson, B. (1992). The indispensable Calvin and Hobbes: a Calvin and Hobbes treasury. Kansas City:
Andrews and McMeel.
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Step 4 - Literature Search
A brief word on the Internet as a resource for research:
“Trying to find information on the Web is like walking
into a library after an earthquake, with the books
strewn all over the floor.”
- Debra Jones,
Exploring the Internet Using Critical Thinking Skills
"Doing research on the Web is like using a library
assembled piecemeal by pack rats and vandalized
nightly."
- Roger Ebert
(Yahoo! Internet Life column, Sept. 1998, p. 66)
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Step 4 - Literature Search
A brief word on the Internet as a resource
for research:
“ I worry more about poor quality of information online,
and students' lack of skills for evaluating information,
than I worry about frequently discussed evils like
pornography.”
- University of Washington Internet researcher Malcom Parks
(Quoted in Newsweek , 10 May ‘99, p.48)
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Step 4 - Literature Search
And in defense of Library resources…
"Actually, I just looked in the phone book, but the
Web sounds so cool."
- (Daria episode, line spoken by the character Jane Lane)
My guess is (it will be) about 300 years until
computers are as good as, say, your local reference
library in search.
- Craig Silverstein, director of technology, Google.com
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Step 5 - Read/Evaluate Information
• Make notes
• Highlight information
• Cluster information into organized units
• Maintain a working bibliography
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How to Document Sources
• Three international & most widely used styles of
documenting sources - APA, MLA, Chicago
– MLA - Modern Language Association of America
– APA - used in sciences & social sciences
– MLA & Chicago - used in arts & humanities
• Find an easy to read “how to” on the Library’s
website (www.library.nscc.ca) under the heading
“I Want To… Compile a Bibliography”
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Final Tips & Tricks
• Give yourself TIME
• Plan it out… i.e. See “The Big6 Research Paper Organizer”
• Don’t panic! Read, read, read, and read some more
– Be CRITICAL!
• Make note of every source you use so you can
– find it again if you need to…
– easily compile your bibliography
• Use all resources available to you! Instructor, librarian,
electronic and print resources
• Proofread before submitting: Use evaluation/feedback
forms to help…
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