Skills: Home

Understand your assignment
Read your assignment thoroughly. What are the deadlines? How many pages and sources are required?

Select a topic from the choices provided.

Get an overview of your topic
Begin with a general reference source such as an encyclopedia or atlas to get an overview

Develop a list of keywords
Using the information you read to get an overview, create a list of keywords that will help you in the next stages of information gathering

Find, review and evaluate resources
Search the library and other local library catalogues for book and other print resources. Search the library databases for magazine and journal articles. Evaluate resources for validity, accuracy and usefulness. Create a working bibliography of potential sources.

Focus in on the detail of your topic and if necessary develop a research question.

Read first, then take notes
It is easier to take notes after reading through the material once. You will be better oriented and have a greater overall understanding. Use a systematic approach to notetaking

Develop an outline
Now that you have a few notes and a better understanding of your topic you're ready to turn your focus question into an outline for your paper.

Revisit notes and identify where you need more information Now that you have an outline, take notes on your different sections. Evaluate your notes to ensure you have enough information to write each section.

Write, Edit and Review
Review the citation guide so you can be sure to avoid plagiarism. Refer to your assignment for formatting specifications.

Carol Kulthau provides this model of the Information Search Process, detailing the stages a researcher goes through.

• Initiation, when a person first becomes aware of a lack of knowledge or understanding and feelings of uncertainty and apprehension are common. 
• Selection, when a general area, topic, or problem is identified and initial uncertainty often gives way to a brief sense of optimism and a readiness to begin the search. 
• Exploration, when inconsistent, incompatible information is encountered and uncertainty, confusion, and doubt frequently increase and people find themselves “in the dip” of confidence. 
• Formulation, when a focused perspective is formed and uncertainty diminishes as confidence begins to increase.
• Collection, when information pertinent to the focused perspective is gathered and uncertainty subsides as interest and involvement deepens. 
• Presentation, when the search is completed with a new understanding enabling the person to explain his or her learning to others or in someway put the learning to use.

http://comminfo.rutgers.edu/~kuhlthau/information_search_process.htm

 Learn how to improve your research skills to get the best information and results. The State Library of Victoria takes you through the steps.