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How Do I … Start My Research?

 

 

LOCATE Additional Information

It is important to choose appropriate resources for your topic. Your professor and/or a librarian can guide you in locating suitable materials for your research. Resources may include some of the following:

Books - Use the ND Libraries Catalog to find books on your topic. Books provide historical background, definitions and an overview. This approach places your topic in context with other important issues and may provide multiple viewpoints if the book has more than one author. To learn more, see How to Find a Book and learn how to use the ND Libraries Catalog.

Magazines & Newspapers - These sources provide a variety of content, much of which is current information. Publications such as Newsweek, Psychology Today, The New York Times and a variety of others are considered popular magazines and newspaper. These articles are meant to inform, update or entertain. The vocabulary is very simple and most of the publications appear frequently, many published weekly. To learn more about magazines and newpapers, see pdf icon Characteristics of Popular Magazines, Scholarly Journals and Trade Journals.

Reference Sources - Almanacs, dictionaries, handbooks and encyclopedias are useful tools for finding background information, quick facts, statistics, terms, definitions, a map or broad overview of your topic. You may also want to consider using bibliographies which can be found at the ends of scholarly books and journal articles. A bibliography can also be an entire book. Some examples of reference sources include, but are not limited to the following:
Statistical Abstract of the United States
International Encyclopedia of Women: Global Women's Issues and Knowledge
American National Biography

Scholarly Journals - These sources are often referred to as "peer reviewed" or "refereed". This refers to having experts in the field examine journal articles before acceptance for publication. Most articles focus on research reports, methodology and theory. Publications appear as few as 2 - 4 times per year, and the authors are authorities in their fields. To learn more about scholarly journals, see pdf icon Characteristics of Popular Magazines, Scholarly Journals and Trade Journals.

Web - A web page can be used for any subject, but it varies in quality and reliability. Remember - anyone can create a Web page and there's no rule that says the information is accurate. Therefore, it is critical to evaluate the information sources found on the Web. Here are a few points to remember when using Web sources:

  • Currency - When was it produced? When was it updated? How up-to-date are the links?
  • Accuracy - Who wrote the page and can you contact him/her? What is the purpose?
  • Coverage - Is the information presented cited or footnoted correctly?
  • Objectivity - What opinions are expressed by the author? Why was this written and for whom

 

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