1. Formulate an Information Need Clearly START

2. Step 1 Defining your research topic The topic is the idea that you are researching. Usually your instructor assigns the research area. Ex: Computer use in education NEXT

3. Try brainstorming to choose a specific topic: –Listing connected concepts –Mapping out ideas –Discussing theme with your instructor –Browsing newspapers and journals –Surfing reliable websites –Exchanging ideas with fellow students –Framing the search as a question For example: NEXT

4. How can computer use be integrated in the first grade curriculum to improve the cognitive development of students? Elementary school First grade Computer use in Education Curriculum Professional websites Electronic learning labs Teaching software Cognitive development NEXT

5. Step 2 Finding your subject areas Disciplines Humanities Art English History Literature Philosophy Religion Etc. Science & Technology Biology Chemistry Computer science Engineering Geosciences Mathematics Physics Etc. Social Sciences Business Education Gender studies Ethnic studies Sociology Political Science Psychology Etc. NEXT There are three major academic disciplines. Each discipline includes many subject areas.

6. Think about your topic from many different angles. You may use an encyclopedia for background information. Your research topic may fall into more than one discipline. Ex.: Computer use in elementary education for cognitive development Computer use for cognitive development in elementary education Computer technology EducationPsychology NEXT

7. Step 3: Formulating Keywords It is possible to use more than one word for the same concept. Think about synonyms for keywords. Use related terms to expand your search. Ex: Your research topic is "Integrating computers into the first grade curriculum to precipitate cognitive developmental growth. The following chart illustrates the keywords for this topic: NEXT

8. "Integrating computers into the first grade curriculum to precipitate cognitive developmental growth Subject(s): education & technology Keywords: first grade elementary school cognitive development curriculum teaching Topic: Computer use for cognitive development in elementary education Keywords: comput* web electronic learning labs teaching software educational technology * An asterisk stands for truncation. Truncation allows you to search for all the words after the keyword rootcomput* -- compute, computer, computers, computing, computerize, etc. END