Ah, researching a topic. Sounds like so much fun, yes? But when you look at the many options of resources and searches, it's a dizzying array of choices. Fear not.
- Develop an idea.
- Carefully read your assignment; look for subject parameters or specific methodologies to include or avoid.
- The idea can be a question or just an exploration of a topic.
- Formulate words to describe that idea or topic.
- Complete sentences are one way to express an idea or topic exploration; however, pull out descriptive words to construct a search.
- For example, if you want to explore non-verbal rehearsal techniques of high school music directors, you may want to choose non-verbal as a search term, but you may want to look for synonyms for non-verbal too.
- Use these words and phrases to search for your idea or topic.
- Some electronic resources will suggest different terms or phrases. Write down those suggestions and use them in a separate search.
- Look carefully at any citations listed in a search result -- if your topic is addressed, use the subjects/thesaurus terms applied to that citation to find similar items.
