Finding Information for Term Papers
Choosing a Topic
1. State your topic in question form.
2. Identify key terms, synonyms, and variant spellings. This will be critical to database searching.
3. Be ready to broaden or narrow your topic.
4. Ask the basic questions: Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How.
The Flow of Information/Where to Look for Information
Report of Event |
Time Frame |
How to Access |
Characterictics |
Radio/TV/Web |
Seconds/minutes |
Web search tools |
ANYONE can publish a web page. This information can be biased and could include advertisements. Quality varies. Facts come in as they are gathered. Usually consists of immediate responses and quick analyses. Can include prominent people in appropriate fields to give commentary. |
Newspapers |
Day/Days |
Newspaper Indexes |
General audience, shorter articles written by journalists. Any subject. Local coverage. |
Magazines |
Week/Weeks |
Periodical Indexes |
General audience. Short to medium length articles written by journalists. Often contains graphics, charts, photographs and advertisements. Usually does not include bibliography. |
Journals |
6 months + |
Periodical Indexes |
Longer articles written by scholars for specialists in the field. May use technical jargon. Detailed examination of issues. Includes tables, charts, statistics. Usually includes extensive bibliography. |
Books |
2+ years |
Library Online Catalog |
Wide range of audience. In-depth coverage of topic. Written by specialists/scholars. Extensive bibliography. |
Reference Sources (e.g. Encyclopedias, Handbooks, etc.) |
2+ years |
Library Online Catalog |
Overview of topic. Includes analysis, statistics, bibliography. Very good place to begin. |
What Do I Do Now?
1. Choose a database appropriate for the subject being searched. Use the synonyms and variant spelling terms (from above) in your search. Pay attention to the citation. If you find articles that looking relevant, be sure to check the "Subject" or "Descriptor" terms. You may need to add those to your list.
2. Read the help screens for that database. Also, check the Reference Tips page for database codes. See also the "How Do I" web page for Search Tips and Problems page for searching tips and ideas. This includes methods of narrowing searches if you find too much or too little information. Ask the reference librarian on duty for help. You can also email the reference librarian at reference@hc.edu or call the reference desk at 281-649-3180.
3. Remember to evaluate the pages for accuracy, authority, objectivity, etc. For a quick overview visit the "Evaluating Web Sites" page or check some of the web sites on the bibliography listed below.
4. Don't forget to check with your professor about the correct method for citing your sources.
Suggested Sites
Help with research basics:
» http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/681/01/
» http://www.lib.washington.edu/uwill/research101/
» http://gethelp.library.upenn.edu/PORT/How to narrow your topic:
» http://www.davidson.edu/administrative/library/refer/narrowing.asp
» http://libraries.mit.edu/tutorials/general/refine1.html
» http://www.library.uni.edu/instruction/narrowing.shtmlHow to cite a source:
» http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/online/citex.html
» http://www.liu.edu/CWIS/CWP/library/workshop/citation.htm
» http://library.duke.edu/research/citing/
» Additional citation helpHow to avoid plagiarism:
» http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml
» http://www.uk-student.net/modules/wfsection/viewarticles.php?category=8
» http://www.lib.duke.edu/libguide/plagiarism.htm
Finding Quality Information on the Internet - Selected Bibliography
Barker, Joe. “Evaluating Web Pages: Techniques to Apply & Questions to Ask.”
Grassian, Esther. Hoax? Scholarly Research? Personal Opinion? You Decide!
Henderson, John. ICYouSee: T Is for Thinking.
Internet Scout Project. Scout Report Selection Criteria.
Kelly, Tina. "Whales in the Minnesota River?" New York Times, Circuits, D1,8. 4 March 1999. (Accessible via ProQuest Newspapers).
Kirk, Elizabeth. Evaluating Information Found on the Internet.
Ormondroyd, J., Engle, M. Cosgrave, T. How to Critically Analyze Information Sources.
Solock, Jack. The Internet: Window to the World or Hall of Mirrors? Information Quality in the Networked Environment.