How To Do Library Research
- Remove all preconceptions about how to do research.
- Decide what you really want to find out.
Phrase this, out loud if
need be, so that another human being can understand it. We are not kidding;
this works. Verbalizing
what you need will help you to focus your research.
- Figure out which resources -- tools -- will work best for finding that particular, focused
answer.
Go for content, not just for sources that are familiar or fun to use. This is
where the librarians can help most.
- Take your search one step at a time.
Don't let yourself be overwhelmed by a
complex question; break it down into bits if you have to. Learn to recognize complexity
and "bits" when you see them. These are important in the decision-making process.
- Understand how your tools work.
Tools could be reference books, the library catalog, databases, or the
Internet. Stop and read the
help screens if you have to. If you're using a book, use the index, the
table of contents, and any instructions that book might contain. If all else fails, ask somebody who
knows.
- Be persistent.
Don't quit looking because (for instance) you don't find
anything under "Bill of Rights". Keep looking and rephrasing your question until
you hit the jackpot under "United States -- Constitution -- Amendments --
1st-10th". If a keyword doesn't work, check your
spelling. Remember to ask for help if you are truly stuck.
- Focus.
It is all very well to let serendipity swoop in to give you
ideas. You, however, are the one who needs to control whether you spend the afternoon
going after your answer or zooming around on side trails.
|
Research Tools
Library Catalog
Find books, movies and
music.
Research
Our reference book collection has shrunk along with
our magazine and newspaper collection. Most of the same material
-- and more -- is alive and well in these online databases.
The Internet
Of course you know how to Google. Here is a list of
other search engines, for those occasions when Google isn't giving you the
results you'd expect.
Good Reading
Just looking for something good to read? We have
that, too.
|
|
