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English 100 Iles: Explore your topic

Online Library Guide - Searching and Evaluating Information

Introduction

Please watch the 3 short videos listed below, and if you need help choosing & exploring topics use some of the suggested databases listed.

Research As Conversation

Academic Research is a conversation.  In what ways is it a conversation?

How can we participate in that conversation?

Watch this video to learn about research as conversation.

CC BY NC  Video by OkStateLibrary

Video Accessing CQ Researcher

Who Do You Trust & Why?

Who do you trust and why?  How do we know which information sources are trustworthy, credible, & relevant? 

Watch this video to learn more about the ways we think about the information we value.

CC BY NC  Video by OkStateLibrary

Choose a Topic

Which comes first--choosing a topic or doing research?    Is it a linear process or is it a cycle?  What are the components of the research process? 

Watch this video to learn more about exploring topics and building a research question.

  Video by NSCU Library  Published August 2014 

What is Research Process?

A research process is a step-by-step approach for developing a research paper. It generally involves several activities

  • developing a research question
  • doing background research by identifying, locating, evaluating, and analyzing relevant information
  • synthesizing the information to support your point of view
  • presenting the information ethically by giving appropriate credit

Some activities might be simultaneous. You might develop and refine your question after locating and evaluating your sources. Your search for relevant sources may continue after you read and analyze some sources and refer to their references/bibliographies.

Explore & Select Your Research Topic Using Databases

Not sure what topics you want to research and write about? 

Explore topics related to your stories