1. The Research Process Joel Seewald, Librarian 313-583-6326 January 30, 2003

2. Research Process (7 steps) 1. Getting started 2. Exploration 3. Focusing 4. Finding and using sources 5. Organization and assessment of progress 6. Presentation of results 7. Final assessment of project

3. General Information Library home page: http://library.umd.umich.eduhttp://library.umd.umich.edu

4. What questions do you ask first? Length of paper Minimum number of sources Types of sources Due date What style manual should be followed Select a topic Appropriate to the assignment Personally interesting Researchable Step One: Getting Started

5. Step Two: Exploration — Why Explore? Helps you know whether you’re really interested in the topic area. Bibliographies refer you to some of the standard books, articles, or sources. Exploration gives you a basis for understanding and evaluating the sources you find later.

6. Step Two: Exploration — Sources General encyclopedias World Book Encyclopedia and The New Encyclopaedia Britannica are available in print in the library (both are also online). Specialized or subject encyclopedias Discovering Science and Discovering Authors are examples of subject encyclopedias available online. Encyclopedia of Crime and Justice and Encyclopedia of Ethics are available in print in the library. Introductory sources Congressional Digest, Contemporary World Issues, The CQ Researcher, and Opposing Viewpoints are available in the library (The CQ Researcher is also available online).

7. Step Two: Exploration — Not just for research papers From: "Gibbon." Encyclopædia Britannica 2003 Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 28 Jan, 2003.http://0-search.eb.com.wizard.umd.umich.edu:80/eb/article?eu=37457

8. Where to Look Library home page: http://library.umd.umich.edu http://library.umd.umich.edu

9. Step Three: Focusing — A good focus will help you to: plan the remainder of your library research conduct successful searches of library databases recognize potentially useful articles and other sources concentrate on your research reading organize your note-taking

10. Step Three: Focusing — Focus Grid Subject: Geographical Time Populations Disciplines/ Special Limits periods or groups perspectives concerns

11. Step Four: Collection and Use Type of Information: statistical, opinion, criticism, historical Format: books, journals, newspaper, government documents, web sites IMPORTANT: Be sure to keep track of search terms and sources found

12. Where to Look Library home page: http://library.umd.umich.edu http://library.umd.umich.edu

13. The Library Catalog...

17. Where to Look Library home page: http://library.umd.umich.edu http://library.umd.umich.edu

18. Research Databases…

19. General Databases

20. Off-campus Authentication

21. Boolean Searching You've probably seen these when searching the web. dogs AND cats dogs OR cats Which of the two searches above would produce the greatest number of results? At first glance, it looks like using "AND" would.

22. Boolean Searching, Part 2 "Dogs AND cats" means that you only want articles that include both terms. "Dogs OR cats” returns articles that are about one, or the other, or both.

23. ProQuest Database Searching

24. ProQuest Database Results CITATION/ABSTRACT TEXT + GRAPHICS PAGE IMAGE FULL TEXT Search results: terrorism AND Irish Republican Army

25. ProQuest Article Screen

26. General Reference Center Gold Database Searching

27. General Reference Center Gold Database Results Search results: terrorism AND Irish Republican Army

28. General Reference Center Gold Article Screen

30. Step Five: Organization and Assessment of Progress Has my topic changed in nature or focus? Are there gaps in my research that require further investigation? If yes, I need to find more books, articles, or other sources. If no, review your research. There’s almost always something that may have been missed or can be expanded upon.

31. Step Six: Presentation of Results What format do I use in citing my work? Do I have all of the citation information I need? If I’m having trouble pulling my thoughts together for a coherent project, where can I get help? The Library’s Internet Resources Page has links that can help: http://library.umd.umich.edu/lib/internet/index.html

32. Step Seven: Final Assessment of Project What research strategies worked? How could I do things differently?

33. Ask for Help Library staff are friendly and want to help you. It’s what we do. Research assistance hours are posted, on the website and on the Library Research Center door. You can make an individual appointment. Help is available through email from the library home page. Turnaround time: within 24 hours.