Librarian's Tip: Develop Good Research Habits from the Start!
Research can be messy business. Try to take a methodical approach; if you can stay focused and organized, you'll do a better job in less time!
- Make sure you are clear about the requirements of your research assignment. When brainstorming ideas, you can find good academic-oriented research topics using the suggestions under the tab, Choose a Topic.
- Get some background information about your subject. Begin with Reference Sources such as encyclopedias; these provide foundational knowledge, can help you narrow your topic and identify potential research questions.
- Use library catalogs to locate Books/eBooks to gain in-depth understanding of your topic.
- Explore Article Databases for relevant magazines, newspapers, and/or academic journals.
- Supplement what you've found with Web Sites; harness the power of the web by using smart searching strategies.
- Evaluate all information for relevance, quality, and credibility.
- Remember to capture the details you need for your Works Cited.
- Meet with a BCC Librarian; we can help you get started with your research, or provide additional support at any point along the way. Use the Book-a-Librarian form to schedule an appointment that fits with your schedule.